Worship opportunities

Lent Will Soon be Upon Us

            There are two great seasons to our church year. Christmas has now faded into the past and the Paschal Cycle of Lent and Easter will soon be upon us. From the earliest Christian scripture the death and resurrection of Jesus was the turning point in the life of creation. First we sit in the darkness reflecting upon our sin and failure to be the people we were created to be. Then we learn of the first fruits of new life—the resurrection of our Lord. And with that message we long for our own resurrection with the Pentecost Spirit of God.

            Feb. 7 we will hear the new letter to the churches from the Council of Bishops. And we will also recognize the 100^th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. It is also a communion Sunday.

            Feb. 14 is Valentine’s Day, but this year it is also Transfiguration Sunday.

            Wednesday Feb. 17 begins Lent with Ash Wednesday Services. At noon we will share with St. John’s Episcopal’s congregation at their church. This service of ashes is made available for people working downtown to attend on their lunch breaks. Pastor Jacob will preach.  At 6:30 we will have a Service of Ashes in our own sanctuary. We are invited to begin our Lenten journeys remembering we come from God’s earth and in our mortal bodies, it is to dust we return.

            Feb. 21 is the First Sunday in Lent when we recall Jesus’ temptations in the wilderness.

            Feb. 28 is the Second Sunday in Lent recalling the refusal of many to accept the message that Jesus came preaching.

We Invite You to Make a Daily Lenten Offering

            This year we will be distributing Lenten folders for you to count down to Easter by putting a quarter in the folder each day. This will be a special mission sharing during this special journey of reflection as we walk with Jesus toward Jerusalem.