This Lent, we are focusing on the life and faith of one of Jesus’ most famous disciples. In Peter, we see a person who is both steadfast and unsteady, a dear friend and a betrayer, a follower and a wanderer. In Peter, we often see ourselves. By following Peter’s journey, we watch the story of Jesus unfold through the eyes of a very normal human trying to figure it all out—just like us. In studying Peter’s faith journey, the lyrics of “Come Thou Fount” come to mind. It’s as if Peter himself wrote this song. And so, for each Sunday, a phrase from the hymn serves as our theme and sermon title. Through Peter’s story, we will affirm that faith is a constant journey of steadfast pursuit, one that ebbs and flows. We will affirm that wandering is exploration, not necessarily distance from God. We will affirm the ways Peter keeps going – he drops his nets, he walks on water, he runs to the empty tomb, he swims to the shore to meet the risen Christ. He keeps searching and yearning and loving, even after missteps or mistakes. In the end, we will be reminded that God loves imperfect people—in fact, that’s precisely who God claims and calls. This Lent, we invite you to look for yourself in the steppingstones of Peter’s story. We invite you to reflect on the stages of your own faith journey as well as who and what has shaped you along the way. As we wander, let us tune our hearts to sing God’s grace. May we rest in streams of mercy, never ceasing. FEBRUARY 14: ASH WEDNESDAY | Tune My Heart | Psalm 51:1-17 Our Lenten journey begins at 7 pm in the Sanctuary with a contemplative service with the Imposition of Ashes. “Ashes-to-Go” will be available in the Sanctuary and in front of Lamb Courtyard from 11:30 am - 1:30 pm. FEBRUARY 18: FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT | Jesus Sought Me | Luke 5:1-11; Psalm 25:1-10 Jesus doesn’t seek out trained rabbis and priests to be his disciples; instead, he calls a few Galilean fishermen to follow him and join his ministry. What is the beginning of your faith story? When has God sought you out? Have you ever felt like your calling was pursuing—or chasing—you? Did you resist? Did you follow? FEBRUARY 25: SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT | Rescue Me from Danger | Matthew 14:22-33; Psalm 22:23-31 In the middle of a storm, Peter steps out of the boat to join Jesus who is walking on top of the waves. The wind shakes Peter’s trust, and he begins to sink. Many of us know what it feels like to feel as if we’re sinking – thrown off balance by doubt, grief, unexpected change, overwhelming busyness, or distance from God. MARCH 3: THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT | Praise the Mount | Matthew 16:13-20; Psalm 19 “Praise the mount of God’s unchanging love. . .” This lyric represents Peter’s mountaintop faith moment. In this story, Peter proclaims who Jesus is with conviction. Peter claims his faith. If you had to speak your faith in one sentence or phrase, what would you say? MARCH 10: FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT | I’m Fixed Upon It | Matthew 16:21-23; Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22 As Jesus foretells his death and resurrection, Peter protests. Peter is fixed upon the way he thinks things should go; he resists the pain of what will come. When your world unravels and your beliefs are tested, you may cling to what you know. How can we find the faith and courage to face the unknown? MARCH 17: FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT | Teach Me | Matthew 18:15-22; Psalm 119:9-16 In this scripture, we see a version of Peter who is hungry to learn. His posture is humble — he wants to absorb Jesus’ teachings like a wet sponge. Yet often Peter is looking for easy, predictable, and straightforward answers. How can we be both humble to learn and open to the unexpected complexities of faith? MARCH 24: SIXTH SUNDAY IN LENT/PALM SUNDAY | Songs of Loudest Praise | John 12:12-16 As Holy Week begins, Peter witnesses the crowd shouting hosannas. As we imagine ourselves in the crowd on this day, may we remember that they are supposed to be praising Caesar, but instead they are shouting for the one entering the city on a donkey. Their singing is subversive, courageous, and contagious. MARCH 31: EASTER SUNDAY | And I Hope | Luke 24:1-12 We might expect that, after denying Christ, Peter would cower in shame—or perhaps even run away in an attempt to leave his past behind him. Instead, when he hears the news from the women, he gets up and runs to the tomb. Even after the biggest failures, can we run toward hope? Will we keep going? APRIL 7: SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER | Here’s My Heart | John 21:1-19 We finish our series with Peter’s encounter with the risen Christ. He turns to Peter and asks three times, “Do you love me?” It’s as if Jesus says, “Here’s my heart,” which washes over Peter’s three denials like a healing balm. No matter how far we wander, may we entrust our hearts to God.