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March 2011
For many of us, this season of Lent can seem very solemn, if not
sometimes depressing, as we reflect and ponder ways we can live a
repentant life. Ash Wednesday can set the pace, with its unsettling
line: Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return. But Lent
was not originally understood this way. As early as the 4thcentury,
Lent was considered a time of preparation for baptism, when those who
were to be baptized would pray and fast to prepare themselves for this
life-changing event. Even now, many of the changes we make are based
in Lent’s baptismal origins. For example, Ash Wednesday reminds us
that we need the promise of eternal life made in the waters of our
baptism. We say the Apostles Creed, the same that we do at baptisms.
The tradition of “giving something up” for Lent comes from the need to
simplify our lives as we reflect on the grace and love of God.
But why should we remember our baptism? What is so important about
it? Martin Luther, who started the Protestant Reformation, had a
tradition of waking each morning and washing his face. And as he did,
he would make the sign of the cross on his forehead again, and called
others to “remember your baptism.” And what does this mean for us?
It means to remember you are a precious child of God, named and
claimed by God, and you are to be about the work of God, serving
others, challenging, confronting, working to change that which harms,
hurts and dismisses others. We remember our baptism because it is
about who we are ultimately.
Let this forty day journey of Lent be one that renews your baptismal
calling, and may you be reminded of the one who came to name you God’s
very own child.
Peace,
Pastor Aaron
Fellowship Night- Friday, March 4, 6:30-8:30pm
Our theme will be getting to know one another. Bring a baby picture
and something important for show and tell! This is a great time to
get to know more about one another and share some great food, stories,
and time together!
Ash Wednesday- Wednesday, March 9, 7:30pm
Ash Wednesday is named for the practice of imposing ashes, a practice
often mentioned in Scripture. These ashes remind us of our need for
repentance, our sin, and our death. It begins our time of Lent,
leading us through the next 40 days to Jesus’ cross and empty tomb.
Lenten Mid-Week Soup Suppers and Worship- 6:30 Soup, 7:30 Worship
During Lent, we will be meeting around a simple meal of soup and
bread, and then worship. This is a time where we can reflect, repent,
and think about new ways of living. This year we will focus on living
as a loving community by following Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s book Life
Together and using some exercises from Natural Church
Development. If you'd like to sign up to bring soup or bread, please
sign up in the Fellowship Hall or e-mail/call the church. Please plan
to attend!
March 16- Ministry of Being Loved
March 23- Ministry of Holding One's Tongue
March 30- Ministry of Listening
April 6- Ministry of Meekness (Lifting up others)
April 13- Ministry of Bearing One Another
Conference on Congregational Ministries- March 19
Hosted by the New Jersey Synod, the Conference on Congregational
Ministries (CCM) gives opportunities to learn and growing in one's
faith with great workshops and an excellent lecturer, Kelly
Fryer. The conference is held at Steinert High School
(2900
Klockner Road, Hamilton Square, NJ) on
March 20, and costs a very affordable $10, with an additional $5 for
lunch. If you wish to see more information, click
here, or look at the display in the Fellowship hall.
Community News
Lifeline Screening- March 31, 8am-5pm
This service has been at our congregation before, and offers several
medical tests for a low cost. You can register and learn more by
calling 1-800-324-1851.
Feel free to check out St. Bart's calendar here or
go to the website homepage here.
 St.
Bartholomew is a member of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the New
Jersey Synod of the ELCA. Click on either name for more
information. If you or someone you know is interested about learning
more about Christianity or Lutheranism, please click here or here.
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