{"id":6320,"date":"2026-01-31T09:21:47","date_gmt":"2026-01-31T15:21:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.flcssc.org\/wordpress\/?p=6320"},"modified":"2026-01-31T09:21:47","modified_gmt":"2026-01-31T15:21:47","slug":"ponderings-from-pastor-patti-february-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.flcssc.org\/wordpress\/2026\/01\/31\/ponderings-from-pastor-patti-february-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Ponderings from Pastor Patti &#8211; February 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"\"><p>Hard to believe that we are already entering the Lenten Season.\u00a0 Ash Wednesday is February 18 and we will kick off the season turning our attention to fasting, prayer, and almsgiving.\u00a0 These are all activities meant to quiet our minds, still our hearts, and allow us to draw near to God.\u00a0 We will hear the words \u201cYou are dust and to dust you shall return\u201d as ashes are marked on us.\u00a0 We recognize the frailty of our existence, the reality of our personal and corporate sin, and our deep need for Jesus, who forgives our sin and gifts us with eternal life.<\/p>\n<p>Lent is a forty-day reminder for us that it is God who saves.\u00a0 It is an invitation from God that requires a response from us.\u00a0 Not a response to \u201cchoose salvation\u201d but a response of heart-filled gratitude as we continue to encounter Jesus, who was willing to go to <em>all <\/em>lengths to redeem us.\u00a0 God is at work in us, and in the world around us.\u00a0 And this time and journey through Lent is an invitation to grow deeper in relationship and in ministry with God.<\/p>\n<p>I think the Lenten (and Advent) seasons are the most meaningful times of the year, because it begs us to slow down and focus on our relationship with God.\u00a0 We can get so busy in our lives that we don\u2019t take the time to slow down to witness and experience God\u2019s action in our lives.\u00a0 We don\u2019t focus on our relationship with God.\u00a0 And in these special seasons on the liturgical calendar, we turn ourselves inward to focus on slowing down, breathing in God\u2019s goodness, and drawing near to God.<\/p>\n<p>Take this time with me to examine our relationship with God, (individually and corporately).\u00a0 Join me on this journey and grow with me and with each other.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Romans 15:13<\/strong>: \u201cMay the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Blessings in this journey,<\/p>\n<p>Pastor Patti<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hard to believe that we are already entering the Lenten Season.\u00a0 Ash Wednesday is February 18 and we will kick off the season turning our attention to fasting, prayer, and almsgiving.\u00a0 These are all activities meant to quiet our minds, still our hearts, and allow us to draw near to God.\u00a0 We will hear the 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