Ash Wednesday, February 22, 2023, marks the beginning of Lent. We will be marked with ash, be reminded of our mortality, and know that from dust we came and to dust we shall return. It is time to ponder and expand our relationship. Where will you meet God?

The culmination of Lent, Easter Sunday, is April 9, 2023. Everyone tries to make sense of the world and how the world works. Jesus came to lift up the lowly. Throughout his ministry to his final days on the road to the cross, we find stories of his relationships with ordinary, flawed, and unexpected people. He met, dined, and traveled with people who were not perfect. Many of them were struggling. Some were outsiders or even outlaws. Whoever they were, from those he healed to the outlaws with him at his crucifixion, Jesus brought the good news of God's kingdom to those who most needed to hear it.

In the Gospel of Luke, we find stories of Jesus' ministry with "Outsiders, Outcasts, and Outlaws." As we explore Jesus' life through Luke's stories, we'll meet the ordinary, even unexpected, people who Jesus chose to be his friends and do his work – people who aren't perfect, may be struggling, and don't yet have their acts together – people just like us. During the season of Lent, read along in the Gospel of Luke as we meet

Jesus, who loves us, whoever we are.
In Luke: Jesus and the Outsiders, Outcasts, and Outlaws, pastor and bestselling author Adam Hamilton explores the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus as told in the Gospel of Luke. Through Luke's stories, we find Jesus' care and compassion for all as he welcomes sinners and outcasts. As we study Luke and see Jesus' concern for those considered unimportant, we hear an encouraging and inspiring word for our lives today.

Join Bishop Lanette Plambeck and the Dakotas Conference Cabinet in this six-week study on the Gospel of Luke, emphasizing Luke's unique insights about Jesus.

What you need to know

Weekly videos will be posted for congregations or individuals to download or view. In addition, small group study guides will be available for churches to access at any time.

Purchase the book from Cokesbury.

Learn more about Rev. Adam Hamilton here. 

Schedule: 

Ash Wednesday message, Beginning Our Journey of Lent, Bishop Lanette Plambeck 
Download a copy of this message | Bulletin insert PDF | Bulletin insert Word document | Direct link to the video 

Week one, Lifting Up the Lowly, Dakotas Cabinet Discussion 
Download a copy of this message | Week one study guide | Bulletin insert PDF | Bulletin insert Word document | Direct link to the video

Week two, Simon, Do You See This Woman? Rev. Rebecca Trefz
Download a copy of this message | Week two study guide | Bulletin insert PDF | Bulletin insert Word document | Direct link to the video

Week three, Parables from the Underside, Rev. Dan Bader
Download a copy of this message | Week three study guide | Bulletin insert PDF | Bulletin insert Word document | Direct link to the video

Week four, On the Journey to Jerusalem, Rev. Ben Ingebretson
Download a copy of this message | Week four study guide | Bulletin insert PDF | Bulletin insert Word document | Direct link to the video

Week five, The Final Week, Rev. Kris Mutzenberger
Download a copy of this message | Week five study guide | Bulletin insert PDF | Bulletin insert Word document | Direct link to the video

Week six, Crucified with the Outlaws, Rev. Joel Winckler 
Download a copy of this message | Week six study guide | Bulletin insert PDF | Bulletin insert Word document | Direct link to the video

Bishop Lanette Plambeck's Easter message
Download a copy of this message | Bulletin insert PDF | Bulletin insert Word document | Direct link to the video