This Sunday is the first Sunday of Lent, a traditional time of prayer, fasting, and repentance observed by Christians since the days of the early church. Several elements of the service have been adjusted to fit the penitential character of this season. We will begin each Sunday by singing What Wondrous Love Is This (meditating on the sacrifice of Christ on the cross), and go out singing Christ Be With Me (confessing our need for His continual presence in our lives). Each week we will take a moment after corporate confession to confess silently, and respond by singing, “Lord, have mercy,” in a new musical setting written just for this year, the Clovercroft Kyrie. We will also learn a new psalm, My God, My God, Come Hear My Plea—Psalm 22. This sorrowful psalm, which Jesus quotes during His crucifixion, is also the text that we will be working through during our Wednesday night devotions this season. I pray that over these next six weeks, these meditative elements in the service would refresh our hearts in preparation for the joy to come Easter Sunday. —Henry C. Haffner
Key Words: Search, Know, God, Thoughts
Keystone Verse: Search me, O God and know my heart. (Psalm 139:23)