By Rev.Ralph Manuel - "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 10:17)  March 9 is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the season of Lent.

In the discussion on “Worship and the Christian Year,” found in the back of our hymnal, is found this description of: 

Lent is a season of preparation of Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday, a time to confront death and to acknowledge the source of life. Lent is a time of self-examination, seeking to emulate Christ by studying the example and teaching of Jesus. The season’s color, purple, represents its focus on penitence. Lent is a time of renewal for Christians, as well as a period of preparation to receive again the risen Christ into our lives. The name Lent comes from an Old English word for spring, indicating that inherent in the season is the anticipation of the new growth and new life that will come in resurrection. Lent lasts for forty days (not counting Sundays) before Easter, recalling Jesus’ wilderness experience in which He confronted temptation.

 As part of our church’s preparation for Easter, our Cantata Choir has begun rehearsing our Easter musical. Anyone interested is welcome to come to the rehearsals and to present the music on Easter Sunday morning, April 24. Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings from 7:15 to 7:45.

 To God be the glory,

 Ralph

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 One of the outstanding new hymns contained in our hymnal is “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us.” This was written in 1995 by Stuart Townend, a British Christian songwriter. He relates a little bit of the story behind the writing of this hymn: 

I'd been meditating on the cross, and in particular what it cost the Father to give up his beloved Son to a torturous death on a cross. And what was my part in it? Not only was it my sin that put him there, but if I'd lived at that time, it would probably have been me in that crowd, shouting with everyone else “crucify him.” It just makes his sacrifice all the more personal, all the more amazing, and all the more humbling.

How deep the Father’s love for us, how vast beyond all measure;

that He should give His only Son to make a wretch His treasure.

How great the pain of searing loss; the Father turns His face away

as wounds which mar the Chosen One bring many unto glory.

I will not boast in anything: no gifts, no power, no wisdom;

but I will boast in Jesus Christ; His death and resurrection.

Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer.

But this I know with all my heart: His wounds have paid my ransom.

(Source: Stuart Townend’s website, www.stuarttownend.co.uk)