We are about to embark on the Lenten journey together. It is one that I truly look forward to every year. It brings us back around to grounding ourselves once again in the story of Jesus and his selfless love for all of us. I hope you are getting ready for the journey too.

We enter the trail of this journey at the trailhead marked “Ash Wednesday”. For many it is a somber time to remember that we are mere mortals that God has blessed for his purpose. And although we do remember that we are mortals with a sinful nature, it is the beginning of our journey of renewal. From ashes comes new life and it is in that direction we will head on our journey toward the abundant life of Easter.

Our Ash Wednesday service will be open to all ages. We prepare ourselves for the rest of our journey by unburdening ourselves and beginning the journey with a clean heart. We will have an interactive time during the service reflecting on Jesus setting his face toward Jerusalem as we set our face to the journey ahead in Lent.

March 5, 2025

ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE

7:00 PM

An Interactive service with Imposition of Ashes

Along the way on our journey during Lent, we will be stopping to remember some very important messages of Jesus. On Sundays during Lent, we will be focusing on major themes in Jesus message – the Kingdom of God, The Sermon on the Mount, the mystery of Parables, questions he asked and some final words and commissions. These are rest stops along the way and will help us to walk the journey to Jerusalem with Jesus.

We have some extra excursions included in our journey too. On Tuesday nights, beginning on March 11, we will have our Lenten study program. Dinner begins being served by 5:30 and you are invited to join us for a meal followed by Bible Study. We are using the book by Richard B. Wilke, “He Set His Face to Jerusalem” as our guide. You don’t have to have a book to participate but some find that they want to follow along. If you cant make dinner, please come to join the study at 6:30 to 7:30 PM.

On Tuesday, April 1, we will be inviting children and youth to join in our study with the children using the Wonder Space upstairs for a special story for them. If you have ever taken a long journey, you know that pacing yourself, maybe relying on a guide or a map is helpful and you need to be open to new sights, new experiences and discoveries. Whether it is your tradition to let go of something at Lent, to deny yourself something or to take something extra on, I hope you will consider this Lenten season journey together as a must do! We look forward to seeing you in worship and study!

Lenten blessings,

Pastor Carolyn

March 2025