Lenten Devotional Available
This year we’re making available a devotional from our friends at Illustrated Ministry called “This is My Body.” It includes weekly readings to help guide our journey from Ash Wednesday to Easter. You can download a PDF of the devotional here or pick up a copy at church beginning this Sunday, 2/19 and throughout Lent. Click here to download the devotional. Click here to download the version for children and families. 
Ash Wednesday…Yoga?
2/22 @ 7pm On-Site in the Chapel (Traditionally on Ash Wednesday (in those faith communities with a tradition of observing Ash Wednesday), believers gather for worship during which they receive the mark of the cross in ashes on their forehead as a reminder that we all are only human, loved unconditionally by God. We are “but dust and to dust we shall return”… and that dust was forged in the heart of the stars. This year, we won’t gather for worship on Ash Wednesday, but are offering an opportunity for you to get in touch with your body through the practice of yoga, regardless of your age, shape, or experience or lack-thereof. As with God, all bodies are welcome. Bring a mat, if you have one, and a water bottle. 
Ash…Sunday?
2/26 @ 10am in Worship, On-Site and Online Receiving the sign of ashes reminding us that we are only human and loved unconditionally by God, can be a meaningful spiritual practice. But it’s one that many of us out here on our Reformed Protestant branch of the Christian family tree didn’t grow up practicing. More than that, many of us were taught it was “too Catholic,” as though in 2000 years, the Catholic Church never had a good idea. (Nonsense!) So instead of hiding this light under a Wednesday-shaped bushel, we’re going to bring it to center stage as part of our Sunday worship. You still get to decide whether to try it or not. (That’s an important part of our Protestant heritage.) But we encourage you to. Don’t worry, we’ll have plenty of handy wipes so you won’t have people staring at you in line at the grocery store afterward. |
What exactly is Lent again?Lent, the season we’re about to enter on Ash Wednesday (February 22 ) that leads us to Palm Sunday (April 2), Holy Week, and Easter (April 9), is a time to practice our practices. It’s a time—just about seven weeks—to be intentional about doing what we probably ought to be doing, how we ought to be living all year long. Just as with Black History Month and Dry January and Meatless Mondays and other secular seasons, sometimes it helps to set aside a specific season or schedule to help us focus on making those changes for the better we hope to make in our lives and the life of the world around us. Lent is a 40-day Spiritual Growth Challenge, and while the church helps shape the outline of the season, YOU get to decided what your goals are and the practices you’ll take on) to help you get there. We’ve got Bible studies and support groups and hands-on-helping opportunities, and more, and, of course, Sunday morning worship, to help you fill your challenge calendar. Best of all, it’s practice, not perfect. Lent may be a challenge, but it’s not a competition. God will be there every step of the way to support you so that if/when you stumble, you will not fall headlong. God’s love and grace for all, expressed for us in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, are our safety net. So swing for the fences or just walk around the block, spiritually speaking. It’s up to you. You’ll find descriptions of lots of resources on the pages that follow, including special worship opportunities, a weekly devotional to download, Bible study, and opportunities for service and fellowship. Set your schedule and set your intention for the season ahead. We’ll check in together Sunday by Sunday. Jesus shows us the way and walks with us every step of that way and promises, no matter who we are or where we are on life’s journey, to bring us together to a meaningful Easter; in fact, he already has. |
Learn, Reflect, & Imagine with Bible Study
Sundays @ 8:45-9:40am, On-site in the Reception Room
& Online via Zoom at http://zoom.us/j/907548568
Our current Year W project, listening for the voices of women, girls, and the divine feminine in the scriptures is the perfect opportunity/excuse to do some Bible study together. Join us to reflect together on each Sunday’s Bible passages for preaching, listening for what tradition, scholarship, and the insight of the Spirit in each of us has to say today.
Sundays @ 8:45-9:40am, On-site in the Reception Room
& Online via Zoom at http://zoom.us/j/907548568
Our current Year W project, listening for the voices of women, girls, and the divine feminine in the scriptures is the perfect opportunity/excuse to do some Bible study together. Join us to reflect together on each Sunday’s Bible passages for preaching, listening for what tradition, scholarship, and the insight of the Spirit in each of us has to say today.