“At the heart of the Christian faith is our participation in the life, suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ as Lord…Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ we are delivered from sin and death, and by the Holy Spirit are born into eternal life with God. This we confess; this we must renew continually in our lives.” (From Ashes to Fire, Abingdon Press, 1979 p. 11)
The season of Lent is a time for us to reconnect with the heart of our faith. We encourage each other in our journey of faith and relationship with Jesus Christ through worship, Bible study, prayer, and disciplines that connect us more closely with the one who suffered for us.
The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday which falls on March 6 this year. We will have the chapel/prayer room open from 7am until 10am for you to come and go as you wish to receive ashes and to pray. In the evening we will have a traditional service at 7pm in the sanctuary with music, scripture, ashes, and communion.
On another page you will find the details for the annual Wednesday worship and lunch series of the Prairie Central Clergy Association that begin March 13. Here at First UMC we will have a special study that I will lead during the week so as not to conflict with the adult Sunday school class. Scripture and the Wesleyan Way begins with a chapter on the message of the Bible and then seven more sessions allow us to explore issues like How Can I Be Saved?, How Can I Connect with God? Why Is the Christian Life so Hard?
Class times are Wednesday mornings at 10am and Thursday evenings at 7pm. Since it is an 8 week study we will begin March 20/21, skip Holy Week and then end on May 15/16. Hard copies of the book will be available in the office for $12. If you prefer an eBook you can find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble websites. Please let us know if you are planning to attend and which time works best for you. Of course, you can switch from week to week based on your schedule.
The next offering I will lead will be the Prayer 101 class that has been lifted up for a 2019 goal for a spiritual growth opportunity for all. More details will be announced later as the class will not begin until fall.
My scripture focus for Lent this year is from Psalm 46:10–“Be still and know that I am God.” I do not know any better words of assurance for my soul in these challenging times. Find your own scripture sentence for the season and carry in your heart and on your lips every day, several times a day, to center your thoughts and calm your soul.