At the end of our first day at Barker, I attended the community Ash Wednesday worship service. The opening prayer given by their Chaplain (The Rev. Jeff Ware) was as follows:

Almighty God and gracious Heavenly Father, enable us in this season of Lent properly to prepare ourselves for the celebration of all that Jesus accomplished through his sacrificial death and all that he achieved through his glorious resurrection. Help us to acknowledge our shortcomings, to seek your forgiveness, and to look to you for help in our weakness. As our Lord fasted forty days and forty nights and resisted the temptations of the devil, give us strength and grace to do your will and walk in your ways. Amen. 

The community choir performed several beautiful anthems as well as led the congregation in the singing of traditional Lenten hymns.  Their choir is very talented.  It would be great to have them on campus sometime to perform with our own talented voices.

Jeff preached a beautiful Lenten reflection focusing on how important it is that we serve each other and also recognize the fact that we are all benefitting directly from the service, hard work and generosity of those who went before us. None of us are nearly as “self-made” as we might want to believe; physically or spiritually.  Our salvation is the result of what Christ did for all of us on the cross on Good Friday.

It was a beautiful way to end a very long day and to begin the season of Lent. Please know of my prayers for the entire All Saints’ community as we observe a holy Lent.