St. Armands Key Lutheran Church

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From The Pastor

From Reverend Mark A. Bernthal....

In one corner of the Garden of Gethsemane (read Mark 14:32-42), Jesus falls to the ground in agony, saying "My soul is exceedingly troubled." He pours His heart's desire out to the Father; "If it be possible, take this cup of suffering from me. But your will, not mint, be done." 

In another corner of the garden, the disciples sleep. Peter, James and John were invited to be near at that moment, but they drifted off. Were they tired, insensitive or just unaware? Regardless, Jesus must have felt let down. He awakens the disciples with these words: "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation."

Watch. Pay attention. Stay alert. Be sensitive to all that is happening around you. Who loves you, who needs you and what does the Lord ask of you? Look in the mirror. Know your weaknesses, confess your vulnerabilities. Above all, keep your eyes on Jesus. He won't fall asleep on you. Far from it, he'll do anything for you. He'll even die for you.

Pray. Talk to God. Use Jesus' name. Nothing you can say will surprise Him. He already knows your secrets, so open up. Ask for advise. Seek council. Thank Him for the good, trust Him through the bad.

"Watch and pray." It's a wake-up call from our Savior. It's an instructive invitation to sleepy disciples of every age. And for us it comes at an appropriate time, as Lent moves into Holy Week and leads us to Easter.

Each Wednesday, at 5:30 pm, gather with the community of faith at St. Armands Key for special worship. A simple Lenten meal of soup and bread will follow worship.

A word about Lent: Just as the Israelites spent 40 years in the wilderness before entering the Promised Land - and as Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness being tempted by the Satan before his ministry began - so Christians spend 40 days (plus Sundays) before Easter in special reflection as we focus upon the meaning of the cross and the discipleship.

Be encouraged in your own Lenten journey this year!