On March 1, Lent begins. Lent is a time of focusing on prayer, fasting, living simply and moving closer to God. We observe Lent for 40 days, excluding Sundays, beginning with Ash Wednesday, which is March 1. On March 1, at 7:00PM we will gather in a service of worship. We will be reminded of a Lenten discipline of fasting, praying, and giving. We will share in the Lord’s supper and remember that Jesus was tempted.
Lent is a time to repent, to turn to God, or return to God, to refocus oneself on God. There are many ways to do this, picking a Lenten discipline is one way. Lenten disciplines involve fasting from something or adding something to your life that has meaning, giving of yourself and/ or your money for service, to help others, to be Christ. Lenten disciplines also involve prayer and worship, reading the Bible intentionally. Lenten disciplines are about helping us to repent, to return to God.
This year at Grace UCC, I am offering some ways for you to enter into a communal Lenten discipline for all ages. For the 4 Sundays of March we will gather together for worship and some fellowship and learning time. After worship, we will gather to eat together. This will be a potluck, which we do well. Eating as family, eating together all ages, being disciples together. Each week a board is in charge of set up and cleanup, but we all bring our favorite foods to share. Following the meal, we will separate into three groups. The youngest among us, those under 3rd grade, will gather with an adult (Christian ED. board is working on this) and hear a story, do a craft, play, learn. The next group will be 3rd graders- high schoolers, these young people will be with Jeff Davis. They will be making murals to be hung up on the windows in the sanctuary, as they talk and learn about symbols. IF you didn’t know, Jeff is an artist as well. And the third group, the adults will gather with me, and we will be discussing “talking faith”, learning how to talk our faith when we aren’t sure what to say. At 1:30, we will all gather back together for a benediction and to be on our way.
Lent is a time of refocusing ourselves on God. Besides, this great intergenerational time together, you may want to find a time on your own. Some ideas for a Lenten discipline at home are: Fast from unkind words, add a letter writing time, fast from meanness, add forgiveness. Start an intentional prayer time. Pray in Color. Pray intentionally for those who hurt you or cause you pain. Give. Cultivate a life of gratitude.
I hope you will join us for the 4 Sundays of March as we build together a communal fellowship of discipleship, as we refocus our lives on God together.
11:30-1:30 March 5, 12, 19, 26
Blessed… Pastor Mindy