Lent is often viewed as a season of lament and despair. Living In Hope instead points readers to find the hope of the Lenten season in preparation for the death of Christ on Good Friday and the subsequent Resurrection on Easter and the season that follows. Rev. Dr. Bates, having served as a local church pastor and now as a judicatory leader in the United Church of Christ, has extensive knowledge about and experience in framing useful and contextual sermon messages for congregations and larger church gatherings. The messages of Living In Hope for Lent and Easter provide an additional resource for pastors, lay leaders and Christian educators as they prepare their own preaching and teaching lessons. Although this book's original foundation intended its use as a resource for pastors, it could also be utilized as a basis for Christian education and scriptural interpretation and exploration for new and veteran members alike, as well as within adult Christian education classes. Chapters include: - "Love Lives" (Philippians 2:5-11) - "Visions of Hope" (Revelation 1:4-8) - "Peace in the Presence" (Revelation 7:9-17)