The season of Lent is almost among us,
the season in the church year when we look deeply into our lives and,
through fasting, study, service and prayer, seek to become more like
Jesus.
Do you find is a curious thing that we
need such a season; are we not supposed to always strive for
Christ-likeness? YES! But the season of Lent helps us to be more
deliberate about growing in our relationship and likeness to Christ.
Lent spans the 40 days, barring Sundays,
prior to Easter. Culminating with Holy Week (Palm Sunday, Maundy
Thursday and Good Friday), Lent calls us to journey with Christ in his
passion.
Please journey with Christ by
taking advantage of as many of our Lenten Offerings as possible,
especially Sunday Worship, and our Maundy Thursday Service of the
Shadows.
Try something new like our Thursday
evening self-led Lenten Meditation Service, Lectio Divina or "God is
Closer Than You Think." I assure you that Easter will be a powerful
and glorious celebration for you and our church.
Sunday Worship: It says at
the midpoint of Luke's Gospel that, "Jesus set his face toward
Jerusalem." This is our Sunday Lenten theme. Jesus, knowing he was going
to be betrayed, set his face toward Jerusalem where he would become the
suffering servant of God for our salvation. Yet, on his way, he stopped
and made time for people like Zacchaeus, the children and a rich young
ruler. And he stopped to share the God's Kingdom is about forgiveness,
reconciliation and love by telling parables, such as the parable of the
lost son (Prodigal Son). We will explore these events of Sunday
mornings.
Ash Wednesday: Beginning
Lent, join us at 6:00 PM on February 17th for soup and a service of
readings and the distribution of ashes. (optional).
Self-Led Meditation
Service: This self-led meditation service, held once on
Thursday, February 25th at 7:00 PM will provide you with some prayer and
scripture exercises which you will do at your own pace (1/2 hour to 45
minutes)...innovative and creative!
God is Closer Than You Think:
This six week discussion will begin on Thursday, March 4th at 7:00PM.
This video-led course based on John Ortberg's book will address the
intimacy we long for with God...and that God longs to have with us.
Where is God in your world? Join us and find out how close God is. This
will continue after Easter.
Maundy Thursday Service of the
Shadows: A quiet Tenebrae service of scripture, music and
candles reflecting the passion of Christ. Join us at 7:30 PM on
Thursday, April 1st. We will also celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord's
Supper.
Lectio Divina: This means
Holy Reading. We will meet after "Pray Without Ceasing" on Tuesdays
beginning February 23rd. You may come to pray with us at 10:00 AM but
the Lectio will begin at 10:45 and will end by 11:30. We will look at
various Old and New Testament passages and read through them several
times, asking, "What key word or phrase speaks to me?", "What is God
saying to me?", and "What do I want to say to God?" Finally we will "sit
with the text" and let God minister to us. Try this ancient form of
meditation and Bible reading.
Scripture Jar Kits: are
available, providing a different scripture to memorize each day in Lent.
You provide your own jar. This is a great exercise for children!
Ministerium Events: You are
invited each week in Lent to be part of the Ministerium's Wednesday
noontime Soup and Scripture at the Presbyterian Church in Manasquan. Our
church will provide the soup on March 24th and Pastor Lou will lead the
program. Also, join us on April 2nd to the annual Good Friday Service
which will be held at The Church in Brielle from noon till #PM.
Let us come together with one another
and with Christ Jesus as we journey with him in Lent. May God bless you
this Lent and always as we seek to grow in Christ!
Pastor Lou.