If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

Mark 8:34

 
What does it look like to take up your cross this Lent? Most of us don’t have big, heavy, wooden beams lying around our homes. We do, however, carry burdens. Life makes sure of that. We have the burdens of debt, of not-so-smart choices, of difficult relationships, of disease, stress, addiction, transition, and uncertainty. These burdens can keep us from living into the image of God in which we were created. This Lent let’s lay down those burdens and take them up, to face them and walk through them with Christ.
 
Lent began as a time of preparation for baptism among early Christians. It was a time for learning new ways of life and leaving old behind. It was a time of building community and preparing oneself for right relationship with God. This Lent I invite you to prayerfully consider expanding your ministry and involvement at St. John’s Church. Take on something new and enrich your relationship with God.
 

Rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing.                                                                                                                          

Joel 2:13

—Jeff Dienno