FEBRUARY 2023
LUTHERAN CHURCH OF
THE REDEEMER ATLANTA, GA
Risking the Cross - Lent 2023 The gospel is not always easy to follow. Jesus himself talks about a narrow gate: "For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life" (Matthew 7:14). Passing through that narrow gate means putting ourselves at risk. It means asking, What should I have done? What did I do that I should not have done? How might I correct the results? Entering into Lent is the time when we ask those questions and take the next step toward answering them. If we accept the risk, we can more closely follow our savior, who risked it all for us. Ash Wednesday, Holy Communion with the Imposition of Ashes Noon and 7 PM Lenten Small Groups Weekly small group discussions in homes and at church Entering the Passion of Jesus by Amy-Jill Levine Professor Levine, a Jewish professor of New Testament Studies at Vanderbilt Divinity School, takes up the theme of risk which culminate in the final week of Jesus' life. As she notes in her introduction: "What does it mean to misunderstand, to fail? What does it mean to deny, to betray, or to fall asleep when we should have acted? And then how do we rise again? I think the story is meant to move us emotionally, in terms of conscience, to indict, and to challenge. And it is meant to move us ethically from faith into action. If we can accept the risk, we can become better people." This Lent, will you risk taking part in a small group? Sign-ups begin Sunday, February 5 Books on sale in the Sims Atrium or online Meetings begin the week of Ash Wednesday If you are interested in leading or hosting a group, please contact Pastor Bonner Special online conversation with Professor Levine on Sunday, March 5, 10 AM