The time for Lent has come. Ash Wednesday is on March 5. It’s this late in the year about a third of the time. It all depends on the cycles of the moon. And, of course, Ash Wednesday ushers in the season of Lent which ends on Easter Sunday.
The season of Lent is a time for us to be intentional about examining our relationship with God during the 40 days which lead up to the highest holy day of Easter. It is a time for repentance, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving traditionally. People generally give something up for Lent or take on a new project or ministry during Lent. This is a season to recognize our brokenness and to grow deeper in our relationship with God.
Each year as a congregation, we have a theme to follow during Lent. This year the theme is: “God’s Love is Shown.” This series for the six weeks of Lent and for Holy Week will delve into the rich and diverse aspects of God’s love shown to us most clearly in the life, suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Each worship service will focus on a specific descriptor of God’s love in our lives:
Wednesday, March 5 = Redemptive Love
Sunday, March 9 = Compassionate Love
Sunday, March 16 = Steadfast Love
Sunday, March 23 = Enriching Love
Sunday, March 30 = Living Love
Sunday, April 6 = Holy Love
Sunday, April 13 = Saving Love
Thursday, April 17 = Selfless Love
Friday, April 18 = Sacrificial Love
Sunday, April 20 = Joyous Love
Extra worship services that we will have are Ash Wednesday, March 5, at 6:00 pm; Maundy Thursday, April 17, at 6:00 pm; and Good Friday, April 18, at 6:00 pm. Otherwise, all the other worship services will take place at the regular time on Sunday mornings.
There will also be a Lenten Bible study on Wednesday evenings at 5:00 pm during Lent. This Bible study will follow the same themes as the worship services do.
May you find blessings during this season of Lent!
Pastor Beth
