ASH WEDNESDAY

Ash Wednesday
One of the blessings of being in a Lutheran school is that we have opportunities to celebrate our Christian faith. Ash Wednesday is one of those times when we have the chance to teach the students about the sacrifices of Jesus as we begin the Lenten season. Our Ash Wednesday chapel service was a special day as Lexi Schmidt, a former St. Peter teacher and daughter of our congregation, came to lead the service. Lexi is now the City Director of LINC Chicago. Ms. Schmidt shared with the students how God sometimes tests us and how important it is to step out in faith and trust Him as we share His love with others. God calls us to love others unconditionally, sacrificially, and constantly. The kids also learned that the opposite of love is not hate but rather fear and how that fear can cause people to act in sinful ways. Sometimes God calls us to things that challenge us and require us to learn new and grow in our faith, and He gives us tests that can become our testimony as he teaches us to, above all else, love others as He has loved us.

Ms. Schmidt was able to not only share her passion for ministry in the city, but she shared the specific ways that the student offerings, which are going to LINC Chicago, are being used. Some of the money has gone toward a new discipleship house in the city that helps reach leaders of the gang communities in the area. Some student offerings have gone to buy Chromebooks for underprivileged kids, and some have gone to provide groceries to families during the pandemic. How awesome that St. Peter has partnered with this ministry!

Pastor Greiner and Pastor Rozelle were available all day for staff and students who wanted to receive the imposition of ashes. Traditionally the ashes are made from the burnt palms from the previous year’s Palm Sunday. They remind the recipient of the need for repentance and remind us that Christ died for our sins. How wonderful that we can celebrate the beginning of the Lenten season in person together!