“Joyfully learning, living, and sharing God's Word”

Everyone knows there is a difference between Lent and lent. Lent with a capital “L” is the church holiday season that starts this month and lasts until Easter. Lent with a lower case “l” is the loaning of something to someone.

The Bible is full of verses concerning the lower case “lent”: Proverbs 19:17 (ESV) ~ Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his deed.

Luke 6:34 (ESV) ~ And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount.

Psalm 112:5 (ESV) ~ It is well with a man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice.

These verses extol the virtues of generosity and lending, but not “lending” in the traditional way we think of it. These are bank loans for the needy that don't need to be paid back.

The church season of Lent is a time of reflection, a time to rid ourselves of things that keep us from being in a complete relationship with God. The Congregational Life committee has placed in the narthex 2025 Augsburg Lenten devotional booklets and 2025 ELCA Lenten study guides and calendars that include information about ELCA World Hunger at work in the world. These Lenten materials can help us increase our prayer life and listen for God to guide our decisions about our time, talent and resources. Our generosity in the 40 days of “Lent” are “lent” to the needy through learning about and supporting ELCA World Hunger. What a wonderful way to reflect and grow together!

Kim Toohey, 

Congregational Life chair