I met with my clergy staff in late 2007 and asked the question of them: “What would be an exciting topic for our Lenten series in 2008?” We discussed a number of possibilities but eventually hit on the idea of exploring the Ten Commandments. In recent years Christians have increasingly forgotten that these really are God’s commandments for living. As Ted Koppel said at Brandeis University several years ago, they are the Ten Commandments not the “Ten Suggestions”! In this season we are called “to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word.” (BCP 265.) A serious reflection on Holy Scripture should surely lead us to study and reflection on God’s laws for holy living as represented in the Ten Commandments.If one goes to the earliest Anglican churches built in our nation we would find that the very nature of the church design and architecture spoke to the importance of the Commandments for all worshippers. In numerous parish churches on the walls behind the east-facing altar we will find four panels on the wall. The panels almost invariably contain one panel of the Lord’s Prayer, one panel of the Apostles Creed and two panels of the Decalogue or Ten Commandments. These short documents were considered at the time to be a concise summary of the faith. These were ideas to be reflected upon every Sunday as the family and the community gathered to worship God. Just as church design has changed and not necessarily for the better so have many minds changed about the necessity of seeing and remembering the commandments. But God’s law is unchanging. Our preferences cannot alter God’s understanding of what constitutes sin.
We are very fortunate this year to have Bishop Keith Ackerman coming to teach our first session of the Lenten series. Bishop Ackerman was here last year for Epiphany and for Father Joel’s institution as rector. Many people have asked when he might return so we are happy to have him visit in light of his very full schedule. Below is a listing of our Lenten Series speakers and their topics. Remember that the evening begins with the Rosary at 5:30 in the Chapel followed by dinner in the Parish Hall. These are followed by Holy Communion in the Nave at 6:30 with the teaching series immediately at the conclusion of the Communion service.
We look forward to a wonderful Lenten Series and a Holy Lent.
Wednesdays in Lent 2008
February 13 – Bishop Keith Ackerman “An Overview of the Ten Commandments”
February 20 – Father Joel Morsch “The First Two Commandments”
February 27 – Father Russ Amend “The Third Commandment”
March 5 – Father Roy Tuff “Lying, Stealing, Murder and Coveting!”
March 12 – Father Eric Mills “The Fourth & Fifth Commandments”
March 19 – Father Joel Morsch and Father Eric Mills “Confession”
