Wisconsin's fortunate result of giving things up for Lent
My wife, Kerin, and I have lived in Appleton for about four-and-a-half
years now. But I was born and raised in Georgetown, TX, just a half hour up I-35
from Austin. As you can imagine (and maybe have experienced yourself), there are
a good number of culture awakenings that come with a long distance move: accents,
seasons, local jargon (Pop? Soda? Drinking fountain? Bubbler? I’m still not sure
which I’m supposed to use up here), and many others. Some culture shocks can be
jarring. But the one I want to highlight today is one that I can’t believe I lived
without for 22 years: the Wisconsin Fish Fry.
Bless my soul. I’m getting hungry just thinking about those golden fillets of
perfectly fried beer-battered walleye and perch next to a dish of coleslaw and lemon
juice and malt vinegar and a pint to top it off. I can still remember my first fish fry
at Pine Wood Lodge on Lake Sissabagama.
And to think that this gift to Wisconsin was born out of culinary abstinence.
Historically, the Catholic church used to prohibit the consumption of warm-blooded
meat during the season of Lent before Easter. Wisconsin, a fairly Catholic state,
found it quite easy to make the fish fry part of its culture.
It isn’t just fish though from which Christians historically have restrained
themselves. The practice of “giving something up” for Lent is a practice that has a
long history in the Christian church. Today, many give up a vice or indulgence, or
simply attempt to be more generous during the season of Lent.
But do you ever wonder why people give something up for Lent? I’m going
to suggest that more than giving something up, Lent is about us getting.
Because the person who gave during Lent was God. God gave his Son,
Jesus. And he gave him to a world that didn’t even want him. A world that was fine
living in sin, blind to the consequences of sin. Yet though the world didn’t want
him, the world needed him. And God knew that. Because despite how the world felt
about God, God loved everyone in the world. He wanted everyone in the world to be
close to him. And the only way to make that happen was to give up something.
Something precious to him. God gave up his Son to pay the punishment that every
human deserves for their sins: death and hell.
During the season of Lent, we focus on that gift and sacrifice that God
made. And we remember that because Jesus paid for sins in our place, we will never
have to. Jesus said in John 3:16 that “God so loved the world that he gave his one
and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal
life.”
Freedom from that punishment and eternal life in heaven is a gift that God
holds out to every person. It’s a gift that every person, no matter their background or
history needs. It’s a gift that is for everyone person, no matter where you come from
or what you’ve done. And the way to receive this gift is simple. “Believe in the one
he has sent” (John 6:29).
Whether you give up something for Lent or not, remember this season what
God has given up for you. And find great joy and peace in knowing what that means
for you.
From February 25 - April 8, our Family Worship Gatherings on Saturdays at 4:30 in the
Praise Center are going to have a Lent focus in our series “40 Days.”
On the Wednesdays of Lent (March 1 - April 5), Bethany hosts a series of traditional Lenten
services (4:30 & 6:30) and meals (5:30) on the Parkway Campus.
All are welcome to both of these services opportunities during Lent, so if you don’t have a
church you normally worship at, we’d love to have you join us!
God’s Blessings, Pastor Zach Gebert
Update & Thank you!
Hello families!
Many of you know and have been following Ann’s
husband, Tim, and his road to recovery since his stroke in
January. Since then, he has been in and out of inpatient hospital
and rehab care. As of February 23, he was discharged and
allowed to return home while continuing outpatient speech,
physical and occupational therapy 3 times per week.
There have been many changes happening with his
move back home. There is renovating that needs to be done to
their home in order to make it more accessible for Tim,
planning and hiring full time in-home care, setting up
transportation to and from therapy as well as the tiresome
amount of medications to keep track of and the many incoming
medical bills that they are now dealing with.
Many of you have asked how you can help. Well,
besides the much appreciated prayers, we wanted to let you
know of an opportunity that we’ve made available. We have
started a GoFundMe page for “Tim’s Road to Recovery” and
his family to help offset the cost of his medical bills,
renovations to the house, and in-home care. Please don’t feel
obligated but many of you have asked so we wanted to get this
information to you. The link is below if you’d like to donate,
however, if you’re more comfortable making a monetary
donation in person, you may leave a donation with Erica at the
parent welcome desk and she will get it to the Potter family
after documentation.
Lastly, Ann, Tim and their entire family would like to
send their sincerest thank you to all of the families for their love
and support through the last few months. It has been because of
your prayers that they’ve been able to move forward with Tim’s
recovery. While there is a long road ahead of them, they are
anxious to get into a routine now that Tim is home.
Thank you for your patience and understanding the last
few months and as always, your prayers are appreciated and
welcomed! God’s blessings to you all from the Potter Family!
https://www.gofundme.com/tims-road-to-recovery
SPRING IS
NEAR!
Please be sure to send your
child to school each day
with the appropriate attire. With spring
quickly approaching, it will start to get muddy
and wet on the playgrounds, so please send
rain boots or something that can get wet/dirty.
Also as it gets warmer, feel free to send along
a spring jacket.
Please ask your teachers if you have any
questions or concerns!