In the beginning was the Word. The Word was good, and it brought forth good. But something went wrong. New words began to mar the world with deception, hurt, pain, and strife. Church of the Good Shepherd’s Lenten windows feature words from the Book of Common Prayer’s Litany of Penitence, prayed each year on Ash Wednesday. The words are unpleasant and uncomfortable—words we wish we did not need to describe human life. They point to our vulnerabilities, our relationships, our brokenness. As we enter through the doors at the center of the window display each Sunday, we seek God’s good Word to us. During Lent, our children will offer us hope; they will process and recess with banners displaying the merciful words God offers us when we turn to him in repentance. Human words are strong; they can help and hurt. God’s Word is powerful. It can and will forgive and bless. This year’s Lenten window will be accompanied by three short videos, each focused on a single word. The videos will be released one at a time throughout Lent, beginning mid-March.
Rev. Dr. Jacqueline R. Soltys+
To learn more, be sure to stop by our Narthex window display.
