Lent 2025: Return to Me

Return to me.  In the story of the Prodigal Son, which we will hear during the Lenten Season, the father embraced the son who had been lost, welcoming him home with open arms. Sometimes we forget that the elder son was also lost, although he had never left, but his father wanted nothing more than to welcome him home, too.
 
We all wander sometimes, losing our way. This Lent, we enter into the invitation God extends to all of us to return to Him, the source of all love. The prophet Joel says, “Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from punishment.” This invitation is for every one of us, God’s beloved, because no distinction of human making can stop God from loving us. The sin and evil of world feels especially present in these days, AND God is present in the midst of it all, drawing promise out of ashes.
 
The God who created all that is, the God who formed us in our mother’s wombs, is holding us, grounding us, breathing life into us, and we are being made new. The psalmist sings, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.” We breathe in the Spirit, and are made new.
 
When the chaos of this beautiful and broken world and of our lives feels like more than we can handle, God is at work, bringing healing, transformation, love, and mercy, even when we can’t see it yet. God’s promises are sure and will not fail, even when we do. We can’t do it on our own, but with God’s help, we have the courage to speak truth, embody love, call for justice, and do what is right even when no one is looking. This Lent, we who are lost hear God’s voice whispering: Return to me.
 

Lenten Observance at Christ Lutheran Church

 
 Join us for regular Worship every Sunday in Lent at 10:30am, In-Person and on Zoom 
 
 
Call in From Any Phone: 312-626-6799    
Meeting ID: 278 217 453     Passcode: 971744   
 
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 Wednesday Evening Prayer Service, In-Person and on Zoom
6:00pm Dinner and 7:00pm evening prayer will be held each week shown below:
 
April 9
 
 
Call in From Any Phone: 312-626-6799   
 Meeting ID: 889 7804 7254     Passcode: 233122
  
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Palm Sunday, April 13, 10:30am, In-Person and on Zoom 
 
 
Call in From Any Phone: 312-626-6799    
Meeting ID: 810 6102 9634    Passcode: 055394
 

Holy Week at Christ Lutheran Church

 
Maundy Thursday, April 17, In-Person and on Zoom
7:00pm Worship with communion, in the Fellowship Hall
Gather around the table to hear the story of the final meal Jesus had with his disciples.
 
 
Call in From Any Phone: 312-626-6799        
Meeting ID: 810 6102 9634    Passcode: 055394
 
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Good Friday, April 18, In-Person and on Zoom
7:00pm Cantata: Return to Me
 
Worship led by Christ Church Choir, Director of Choirs Diane Drollinger.
All offerings provided in Good Friday envelopes, collected in baskets at the Good Friday service will go to ELCA World Hunger. To contribute to ELCA World Hunger, direct to Christ Lutheran Church and designate for ELCA World Hunger.
 
 
Call in From Any Phone: 312-626-6799        
Meeting ID: 810 6102 9634    Passcode: 055394
 
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Easter Sunday, April 20, In-Person and on Zoom
10:30am Worship with Communion in celebration of the Resurrection
We will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus as we bring back the Alleluia which has been hidden for so long!
 
 
Call in From Any Phone: 312-626-6799    
Meeting ID: 810 6102 9634    Passcode: 055394