Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025
We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. ~ 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3
Written by Rev. Erik Khoobyarian | Senior Pastor
There’s something about journeys. I love them. I have always loved travel and trips with other people. Crawling into the “way back” of our family station wagon as a child meant that we were going on an adventure. Some of my fondest memories from youth group were our mission trips and retreats. And I’ve also come to appreciate life as a journey, but also as a series of journeys. Lent is one of those journeys, and a devotional like this compilation is its own journey within a journey. A journey within a journey. Together we embark on this road where the voices from within our congregation will guide our path as they share their stories and experiences. I invite you to start this journey in prayer by thanking God for the stories you’ll read in these pages. Give thanks to God for their stories in advance of even reading them. And each day when you read the devotions, pray for the person who vulnerably chose to share their heart.
On Ash Wednesday we begin the journey by reflecting on our own mortality, which we often equate with our inevitable death. But I also think it is equally important to focus on our lives and the stories our lives will tell when we breathe our last breath and our labor is complete. I hope you’re ready for our journey. Buckle up, grab a snack - we’ve got the road map covered in these entries, and your companions are ready.
Prayer: I give thanks this day for all who are on this journey toward the empty tomb. Guide our paths and help us to live lives of faith that bring glory to you. May we find you in the words of scripture and the stories of our fellows on the journey. And may you be revealed to each of us on our shared journeys. Amen.
JOIN US FOR OUR ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE:
Wednesday, March 5 | 6 pm | Chapel