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Gathered by the waters of Babylon, Judean exiles wistfully wondered: Is God for real? If so, does He really care about us? What does our future hold? Will this ever change? God’s people had watched their world shatter into a million pieces. They were demoralized and disillusioned. Their disaster looked terminal.
Do you feel this way? Does it look as though your current problems are more than you can bear? Do you find yourself asking: Why did this happen? Why did God allow it? Is there any order in the world? Will God really deliver on what He said?Isaiah answers these questions in chapters 40–55 of his book. He announces that just when Israel’s history seemed closed and controlled by hopeless Babylonian imperial policy, to the shock and surprise of everyone the Lord will stir up a king named Cyrus and a new exodus will explode in the desert! A Servant will be wounded for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities. And barren Zion will be given so many children that, like the old woman in the shoe, she won’t know what to do! Standing behind these marvelous promises is God’s almighty Word. “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever” (Isaiah 40:8). The exiles are going home!That’s why each Saturday and Sunday in Lent (including special holy services) we will be “SINGING WITH THE EXILES” as they are restored to their home. This Lent, Isaiah 40–55 will shape us as we . . . Meditate, Study, and Listen to God’s Word.As a special bonus, each Thursday in Lent we will explore “THE WAY OF GRACE” and consider how God’s love comes to us Sacramentally. Our Weekend and Thursday preaching Schedule is as follows:
Mar. 1/2 | Transfiguration Sunday | “Listen to Him” (Luke 9:28-36)Mar. 5 | Ash Wednesday | "God Has a Word for That" (Is 41:14-16)Mar. 8/9 | Lent 1 – Sunday | "He Only Has Eyes For You” (Is. 43:1-7) Mar. 13 | 1st Thursday | "Seventy Times Seven" (Matthew 18:21-35)Mar. 15/16 | Lent 2 – Sunday | "Marked" (Is. 44:1-5) Mar. 20 | 2nd Thursday | "Adoption Papers" (Romans 8:14-17) Mar. 22/23 | Lent 3 – Sunday | "Breaking Down the Gates" (Is. 45:1-8)Mar. 27 | 3rd Thursday | "Baptism—the Gift of Death and Life" (Romans 6:3-11)Mar. 29/30 | Lent 4 – Sunday | "Get Out!" (Isaiah 38:17-22)Apr. 3 | 4th Thursday | "Yahweh’s Feast" (Isaiah 25:6-8)Apr. 5/6 | Lent 5 – Sunday | "One Little Word Can Fell Him" (Is. 49:1-6)Apr. 10 | 5th Thursday | "Virtual Presence" (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)Apr. 12/13 | Lent 6 – Palm Sunday | "Worth but A Penny" (Is. 49:3) Apr 17 | Holy Thursday with Communion | "He Prepares a Table" (Is. 49:7-13) Apr 18 | Good Friday – Tenebrae Service | "All" (Is. 52:13-53:12)Apr 19 | NO SATURDAY SERVICES |Apr 20 | EASTER RESURRECTION SUNDAY | "We Are Going Home" (Is 55:6-13)Apr 26/27 |2nd Sunday of Easter | “Witnesses” (Acts 5:12-32)
Plan now to sing with the exiles as we learn from Isaiah to walk the Lenten way of the cross and to the empty tomb. You will be encouraged to see how God loves you through His means of Grace. I look forward to seeing you and sharing God’s promises to turn your weeping into joy and your present pain into an endless Alleluia!
Mar. 1/2 | Transfiguration Sunday | “Listen to Him” (Luke 9:28-36)Mar. 5 | Ash Wednesday | "God Has a Word for That" (Is 41:14-16)Mar. 8/9 | Lent 1 – Sunday | "He Only Has Eyes For You” (Is. 43:1-7) Mar. 13 | 1st Thursday | "Seventy Times Seven" (Matthew 18:21-35)Mar. 15/16 | Lent 2 – Sunday | "Marked" (Is. 44:1-5) Mar. 20 | 2nd Thursday | "Adoption Papers" (Romans 8:14-17) Mar. 22/23 | Lent 3 – Sunday | "Breaking Down the Gates" (Is. 45:1-8)Mar. 27 | 3rd Thursday | "Baptism—the Gift of Death and Life" (Romans 6:3-11)Mar. 29/30 | Lent 4 – Sunday | "Get Out!" (Isaiah 38:17-22)Apr. 3 | 4th Thursday | "Yahweh’s Feast" (Isaiah 25:6-8)Apr. 5/6 | Lent 5 – Sunday | "One Little Word Can Fell Him" (Is. 49:1-6)Apr. 10 | 5th Thursday | "Virtual Presence" (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)Apr. 12/13 | Lent 6 – Palm Sunday | "Worth but A Penny" (Is. 49:3) Apr 17 | Holy Thursday with Communion | "He Prepares a Table" (Is. 49:7-13) Apr 18 | Good Friday – Tenebrae Service | "All" (Is. 52:13-53:12)Apr 19 | NO SATURDAY SERVICES |Apr 20 | EASTER RESURRECTION SUNDAY | "We Are Going Home" (Is 55:6-13)Apr 26/27 |2nd Sunday of Easter | “Witnesses” (Acts 5:12-32)
Plan now to sing with the exiles as we learn from Isaiah to walk the Lenten way of the cross and to the empty tomb. You will be encouraged to see how God loves you through His means of Grace. I look forward to seeing you and sharing God’s promises to turn your weeping into joy and your present pain into an endless Alleluia!