Christ Our Hope Lutheran Church

P. O. Box 961690
Riverdale, Georgia 30296
(770) 997-7117                                      (770) 997-3312

Jeffrey M. Halenza, Pastor

February 3, 2021

Dear Members, Visitors, and Friends of the Congregation,

          This year we will observe Ash Wednesday, February 17, with one worship service, a Parking Lot Communion Service with the Imposition of Ashes at noon. We are doing it this way in hope that those who are not yet comfortable with gathering indoors will feel safe attending this service. We also hope that by scheduling the service at noon those who work would be able to have time during the lunch hour to be part of the service.

          As far as Mid-week Lent services go, we are going to use the Wednesday evening conference call time (7:00 PM) for that purpose with the readings and prayers reflecting Lenten themes.

          The attached prayer, which I will pray during our Conference Call tonight, February 3, at 7:00 PM, is very much a personal prayer as is evident with the first sentence. It is a talking, rambling prayer that reflects what I feel. It came out of hearing that another one of our 16-year-old granddaughter’s classmates committed suicide (the third suicide this year). It also came in reaction to overhearing an attendant at the vaccine desk in a Publix tell an older couple who had asked if they could make an appointment to get the vaccine shot that they had to do that online, whereupon the couple said they didn’t have a computer. Finally, it comes from something our 11-year-old grandson said to his parents that got their attention big time. Whether or not you agree with the prayer, I hope it still speaks to you in some way and gets you thinking about some things.

          May God continue to strengthen and sustain us throughout these days and may we do all we can to help one another make it through,

Pastor Halenza

JMH/nvn