With an early date of Easter in 2016 (March 27th) comes an early start to Lent. Ash Wednesday is February 10th, and we will be observing that day with a 7:00 p.m. service of worship that will include Holy Communion and the Imposition of Ashes. For the remaining Wednesdays of Lent through Palm Sunday, we will be holding Lenten midweek services at 7:00 p.m. The theme of this year’s Lenten midweek services will be “Six Questions,” with each week focusing on one of those questions. The questions will be asked in the following order:
Week One—February 10th: Who is Jesus?
Matthew 16:13-16
Every person needs to grapple with Jesus’ question to his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Christians believe he is “the Christ, the son of the Living God.”
Week Two—February 17th: What Matters Most?
Mark 12:28-34
Relationships—with God and others—matter most.
Week Three—February 24th: Am I Accepted?
John 8:1-11
Even with our flaws, Jesus loves and accepts us as beloved children of God.
Week Four—March 2nd: Where is God?
John 1:1-5, 14
Although God is not limited to working through people, God primarily works through human instruments.
Week Five—March 9th: What Brings Fulfillment?
John 13:1-5, 13-17
True fulfillment comes from serving others.
Week Six—March 16th: What About Suffering?
Matthew 27:27-31
(Palm/Passion Sunday) Although God does not prevent suffering, the crucified God fully enters human suffering and works to redeem that suffering.
We hope that you will not only participate in attending the worship services on Wednesday evenings, but will consider attending the Soup and Sandwich meals (5:30 p.m.) and the study that follows the meals, prior to the time of worship. Folks sometimes look at Lent as a time to “give up” certain things, but Lent can also be a time to “take on” certain things, like additional prayer and study. May this Lenten season help you draw closer to the Jesus that we acknowledge as Lord. May this Lenten season be a time of blessing.
Your servant in Christ,
Rev. Jim Hoppert
