The Wondering Sheep: Episode 15 – Living the Christian Life
"Lent? Time Travel? Oh, My!"
March 26, 2026
I’d like you to join me today for a trip back in time. For those of you close to my age, it’s time to get the cobwebs out. For the vast majority of you, I’ve contacted Dr. Who (Tom Baker version) who is bringing his Tardis to take as many as needed back to the early 1960’s in La Crosse, Wisconsin. For those of you who are not familiar with the BBC Series Dr. Who,- it is a sci-fi, adventure, history kind of series that has been around for about as long as I have been here on this earth. The Tardis looks like an old English police telephone box. It is much larger inside than on the outside––and it travels in time and space. Thus, the series. So, climb in. There’s plenty of room so you can bring the entire family. How long will it take? We are already back in time and are in my hometown of La Crosse, Wisconsin in 1965.
The weather is cool, but not cold, cloudy with a slight breeze. We are in the downtown area where it seems too quiet to be 1:00 There isn’t as much traffic on the streets as you would expect at 1:00 in the afternoon. It’s Good Friday and most businesses seem to be closed! Let’s go back to last Wednesday and check out a Lenten service–back in the Tardis and we’re off! We are ow outside Central High School at 6 PM. There’s no one here. Why aren’t the sports teams practicing? How odd. In 1965 La Crosse there seems to be some odd things going on! So, what’s the deal? Wednesday’s, after 5, were reserved for religious observances, instruction, and other such things. Nothing will happen in the schools. How about the Good Friday lack of traffic downtown? Many businesses closed from 11:59-2:59 to allow employees and bosses to attend the Good Friday services timed to match when Jesus died on the cross. Separation of church and state? Not a problem as scheduling was just that.
Time to get back in the Tardis and head home. Thanks Dr., for a Kwik trip!
We are now back in Fargo in 2026, and we are about to start Holy Week. So, what has changed? Most schools have activities on Wednesday nights. I think Fargo schools kind of keep Wednesday nights “open.” That is becoming relatively rare. Our Good Friday service has been an evening service for a long time now as businesses really couldn’t close for a couple hours without hurting the bottom line or getting sued.
What else has changed is how we celebrate Lent. Other than timing of services, what else has changed? All the special services were attended by most of each congregation’s members. Now? We are happy to have half the numbers of those who attend on Sunday’s. It was customary for centuries that Christians would “give something up” for Lent to help center us on what Lent is for: preparing for the events of Holy Week and remembering what Christ sacrificed to allow us to enter heaven to be with him. That opportunity for contemplation and reflection is, of course, still there. Do you know anyone who gives up Meat of Lent (that’s why fish fries exist after all)? We have two joint services (Maundy Thursday and Good Friday) next week to gather with other believers. Will the churches be full? They are evening services. What is more important than worshiping together, remembering Christ’s sacrifice, and celebrating the Lord’s Supper?
Easter was once a service with huge numbers attending. The Sunday that follows Easter is usually the worst attended of the year! HMMMM…. Are we demonstrating thanks for Jesus in making sure we can join Him in heaven for eternity when we approach church that way? Is He worthy of our time and praise?
Some reminders: we are the church, not the building. No where in the Bible is it commanded how we worship, when we worship, what liturgy to use, what kind of music to use, and the like. We are instructed to gather together often to pray, praise, and give thanks. We are to enjoy the Lord’s Supper often. We confess our sins. We listen and learn from God’s Word. We need to put on the full armor of God and spread the Good News to all the world!
We are free to decide how we organize worship, what prayers to use, what music styles and instruments accompany our singing, what service days and times are used, even what festivals to celebrate. Our liturgies are based on centuries of old forms of worship. We worship in English, thanks to Martin Luther, who broke away from tradition and wrote Masses (liturgies) in German, the common tongue. He led the way in singing in the language we speak. Martin Luther broke new ground in “allowing” new ways of worship in new languages. But none of that is set in stone.
America has changed. It’s customs have changed over time. Our willingness and desire to prepare ourselves for Holy Week has adjusted the time we are willing and able to give it. I’m not sure that’s good, but it is where we are. Jesus has completed the Old Testament for us. The prophecies, the Mosaic Laws, and everything needed to make sure His sacrifice did what The Father sent Him to do. How do we celebrate/remember/grow in faith/and live the Christian life in response to all Jesus gives us? The things we are not commanded by Christ to do, we do not have to do. What DO we have to do?
We need to read/listen to/and learn the Old Testament as the law it contains, and the history of God’s promises are needed to remind us of why Jesus came to save us and the story of the chosen people (that are way too much like us) got us to the New Testament. We need to read/listen/and understand to know what Jesus tells us in the Gospels and through the Apostles that wrote it all under God’s control/guidance. We need to celebrate the sacraments of Communion and Baptism. We are commanded to serve each other and our neighbors and to tell all what Jesus has done. If a framework such as we use to worship and remember helps us: that is good and proper to use. We need all the help we can get!
We don’t have a Tardis to travel through time. Wouldn’t it be nice to know what the future holds for God’s church? Let us travel into the future God has planned for us together and build His church!