The church season of Lent begins on February 6, which is Ash Wednesday. And it begins the forty days leading up to Holy Week and Easter Sunday. It is a time when we as Christians remember not only the suffering love of Jesus, but our own shortcomings and the need for repentance and especially for forgiveness. I look forward to Lent because of the ecumenical Lenten services that are held in various churches in our community on Wednesday nights. It is a great time of fellowship with Christians of other churches. I highly recommend attending these services during Lent. You will be very glad that you did. One of the hymns that is almost universally sung during the Lenten season is the hymn "Amazing Grace." It is a simple him that reminds us of the amazing power of God’s love to change the lives of people.

In the Lenten Series we have had some wonderful worship experiences from a variety of traditions. It has been truly a time of amazing grace for those who have participated. Each service has been a little different over the years. On Ash Wednesday we receive ashes, and we are reminded of our humanness with the words "You are dust and to dust you shall return." Pastor Phil Yetter from First Baptist has done wonderful monologues in costume of Biblical characters related to the passion story. And we through them we were reminded of the commitment that we should have to Jesus in our lives. One year Bill Ressel, pastor of Trinity Church, took us on a motorcycle trip and asked us to look at ourselves as the body of Christ. Once Rev. Bullock told us abut the Prodigal Son and asked us to think about the other son, the elder brother who played by the rules, but failed to show love and forgiveness. Another time the Rev. Mary Morrison with the help of the Gramma Project asked us to sing all the verses because each verse of a hymn is part of a whole idea, and that whole idea is worth meditating on. And many others over the years have inspired us by these services. And even more I believe we have all been touched by God’s Amazing Grace through them. The idea which I want us to think about during this Lenten season is that God is calling from within our souls the essence of the person we were created to be. "I once was lost, but now I am found" To be lost is to be disconnected from the person God made us to be. The Religious Journey is to discover who we are and who we can become through the love of Christ.

Once I was attending a meeting of the Illinois Conference there were about two hundred people who had gathered in the church hall in Joliet. and before we closed the meeting the Illinois Conference minister had us all move our chairs into a giant circle. And she asked the question, "How do you experience God in your church?" And I was sitting next to the only other person from Berwyn in the room, Herman Rhode. And people were saying various things around the room when the microphone was handed to them. Herman took the mic and held it up to his cell phone. He pressed the button on his phone and it played "Amazing Grace." And everyone joined in singing the hymn. When he handed the mic to me, I said, "How sweet the sound."

During Lent people sometimes give up things to show their devotion to God. If you can’t decide on something to give up, give up some of your time to help out in the church or maybe in the community. And you may feel lost at first, but if you keep it up you will be found.

If you or you know someone who is in need of a walker or a set of crutches, the church has both of these things available without charge. Or if you would like me to stop by and visit with you, your family, or your friends to talk about the church, please let me know. I’m available to talk with you or pray with you at any time. My phone number is 708 846-0759,

We as a church exist to proclaim a loving and caring God and to share God’s saving love with each other and our community. Please continue to contact me with your ideas and concerns. I am here to serve you. Let us continue to celebrate God’s Good News in our lives together.

Yours in faith, Rev. John Clark; 708.846.0759

Up Coming Events:

Western Round-Up – Saturday, February 23^rd

Join the fun at the 2008 Western Round-Up. The very best chili anywhere and great fun for children of all ages including First to the Finish Races and Line Dancing. The fun starts at 5:00 p.m. Donations are $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for buckaroos 6 to 12 years old. Please see Rita or Lisa Jackowiec with questions.

2007 Western Round-Up

WESTERN ROUNDUP – YA’LL

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY, 23, 2008, 5:00 P.M.

CHUCK BOARD CHILI SUPPER

ENTERTAINMENT – Country Band

LINE DANCING

FIRST TO THE FINISH RACES

LOTS OF FUN!!!

Donations: $6.00 Adults & $3.00 Buckaroos

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH