And Jabez called on the God of
Israel saying, 'Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I
may not cause pain.' So God granted him what he requested" 1 Chronicles 9b-10
A few years ago, a book called the Prayer of Jabez made a mark on the Christian marketplace offering a little known prayer as a way to connect with the life of material blessings it claimed God wanted each of us to have. It was popular, in part, because I think people want to believe that God is on our side and that God wants the best for us.
Some in the church though, were troubled with the theology of the Prayer of Jabez claiming that it touted a prosperity Gospel that was at odds with Jesus' invitation to take up our cross and follow him.
As Lent begins today, I wonder if the good news might be found somewhere in between these two thoughts? Certainly, the call of the Ashes today is a call to humility and a reminder of our own mortality. Yet, it is also a call to hope, an invitation to see that God walks with us and is working, even in the dust of our lives to bring us new life and joy. Our lives are a mixture of joys and struggles -- celebrations and disappointments -- but out of the ashes we lift up our eyes and see that in all things, Jesus hears our prayers.
Pastor Tony
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 Ash Wednesday: Today, Feb. 17th
The Season of Lent begins today Wednesday, Feb. 17th with Ash Wednesday. We will have a Fellowship Supper being served beginning at 5:30 pm and Ash Wednesday worship at 7:00 pm with the Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion. Our theme this year is Broken Pieces. We especially want to invite children and families to attend as we have a special puzzle for the kids and each week we will be giving them another piece to put back together the broken pieces.
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Break These Chains
Sunday, Feb. 28th will be a special Sunday at Canton Lutheran as we invite our friends and neighbors to join us for a unique worship experience including the music of Dakota Roads. Break These Chains will be a worship service that invites people to "free dom and new life" from all that would keep us imprisoned. Following worship, we will be having a Fellowship Brunch. This is a great opportunity for all of us to invite our neighbors and friends to experience all we have to offer at Canton Lutheran.
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