By Dan Hester

Last Sunday I issued the challenge/invitation for members of this congregation to give a testimony. From now on, I will make space in worship for anyone who wants to provide testimony. Call me or email me and we will schedule a Sunday when you can offer your testimony.  Here are some idea starters for putting together a testimony.  

• Where has God been at work in your life? 
• How has God found you? 
• Who has Jesus been for you? What difference has following Jesus made in your life. 
• How have you been surprised by God's love? 
• What is this chapter on your journey meant to you? 
• When and how has God made you whole? 
• Testimony can be about the time when you came to faith, although it doesn't have to be.
  
• Testimony is, simply put by bishop Ken Carter, speaking honestly of ourselves to God, and speaking honestly about God to others.
• Testimony isn't about fixing someone else. 
• Testimony isn't about getting someone else to behave in a certain way. 
• Testimony is about offering how the speaker has been changed. 

The evangelist Luke tells us in Acts 1:8 that some of the last words of Jesus were, "you will be my witnesses." So I challenge you, and open the door for you to offer your testimony so that we might all see the goodness, the grace, and the power of our Lord.

By Dan Hester

During this year's Lenten season, I will be focusing on Christian practices. Christian practices are ways in which we participate in our faith, ways in which we embody our faith, and ways in which God reaches us. While we would never commit the works righteousness error and say that these ways of living by themselves make us holy, Christian practices have always been means by which faith is expressed, and the means by which we participate in the work God is doing both in us, and in the world. These holy habits are often called spiritual disciplines.

It's been said that excellence is a habit. This means that growth in life is often an accumulation of small impacts over time. Holy habits bring freedom in the way that piano practice brings freedom of expression to the pianist. Think about it, most of our life is shaped by very ordinary things, what we eat most often, the media we consume, the conversations we have with the people we see everyday. The question is never are we being formed, the question is always how are we being formed. Christian practices are an intentional way to see that our impact on the world, and the world's impact on us take place in holy ways.

I'll spend each Sunday delivering two short sermons. The first sermon will focus on the Scripture lesson of the day. These lessons will tell about the temptation of Jesus, and scenes from his last week in Jerusalem. The second sermon will explore how these stories lead us into Christian practices. We will look at Bible study, fasting, generosity, hospitality, testimony, and justice. While this isn't a comprehensive list of Christian practices, it's a good start.

Come join us in worship and use this time as a chance to get grounded in the basics. When people faithfully dig into these disciplines, good growth takes place. Make the most of Lent, and make the most of who God created you to be.  

By Dan Hester 
The three days from the evening of Holy Thursday to the evening of Easter Sunday has traditionally been called the Triduum. Triduum simiply means three days and can be used to signify any special three days of preparation before a holy day. Sometimes this word is used to describe the three days between Jesus' crucifixion and his resurrection.

While our calendar counts three days, in terms of worship the Triduum is one event. In this one event we encounter the full story of Jesus' last supper, his betrayal, arrest, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection. All of these events together form a unity when proclaiming the Gospel message.

During our worship here at St. Andrew's we are tying the three worship services of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday together with a drama in three parts. While each service will stand on its own, we encourage everyone to make every attempt to attend all three services. Join us in prayer that in this Triduum, St. Andrew's would be renewed in its faith, that new people might come to faith, and that God would be praised for all he has done for us. 

Palm Sunday 3/24: 9am and 11:15am