"Stay-at-Home" Trip to Holy Land Begins Ash Wendesday, February 17

Submitted by Mark Friz on February 16, 2010 - 7:49pm
Newsletter: 

Dear St. Paul's Congregation,

You've been hearing about it for months. Now is the time to pack your bags and begin your "Stay-at-Home" trip to the Holy Land. Your "plane" leaves on Ash Wednesday, February 17. Please arrive at St. Paul's in time for your "departure" at 7:30 p.m. Because of special arrangements with the TSA, you will not have to go through security or have your bags checked. All that will be required is your presence and attention.

For the next seven weeks, we will take you to a different section of the Holy Land. Tomorrow, Gayle and I will take you to the Wilderness of Zin, the Wilderness of Judah, and Mt. Sinai.

  • You will learn that the biblical definition of "wilderness" is different from the American definition.
  • As we focus on Mark 1:1-8, you will also learn the spiritual reason why, most often, it is in the wilderness that we meet God.

We will continue to focus on the wilderness this Sunday, February 21, as my message will be on the temptation of Jesus. Luke 4:1-13 speaks of the 40 days of fasting that Jesus endured in the wilderness.

Please consider fasting during the upcoming 40 days of Lent. Giving up food to spend more time in prayer; putting aside entertainment for kingdom work; denying oneself of snacks and treats in order to make special offerings--these are all parts of the fasting that would please God (See Isaiah 58). I encourage you to discuss in your homes what sacrifices you might make for the benefit of the kingdom.

Grace and peace to all!

Pastor Mark Friz