Lent

Lent is a somber season during which most Christians "give up" something—chocolate, coffee, watching TV—for the weeks between Ash Wednesday and Easter. These small sacrifices remind us to be dependent on God and repent and follow Christ.

There is nothing wrong with "giving up" something for Lent but, this year, our Lenten theme is "What God Gives." During these weeks of self-examination, prayer, fasting, and self-denial, I hope we will also remember that God remains close and generous to us. So what does God give us during Lent? Endurance, rebirth, truth, vision, and life after death. Each week during Lent, we will explore together these gifts from God.

One way we will do this is by using a calendar that helps focus our scripture reading and prayers. Each week, we will also have a service opportunity that you can do at home and then bring to the church, like making cards for those served by our prison ministry or constructing baffles for Habitat for Humanity houses (see "Sunday Service Opportunities", below.) The purpose of this calendar is not to fill your time with busyness but to allow the Holy Spirit to work in us and through us during this season.

This Lenten season, we are bringing back the much-loved Sunday Service Opportunities. Every Sunday during the season of Lent, there will be a special opportunity for you to serve. There's something for everyone and for all ages, and you can decide to do one, a few, or all of them—it's completely up to you. Check out the information below to see how you would like to serve. If you have any questions, contact our Minister of Families and Outreach, Cortney Babajtis. And as always, take pictures and tag us on Facebook or Instagram.

Saturday Reflection: Lent begins in the wilderness, a rough place filled with uncertainty and fear. Ash Wednesday sparks within us a certain sort of dread, forcing us to remember things we would rather not think about and causing us to look in the mirror and recognize our vulnerability, brokenness, and, yes, weakness. Our greatest temptation is to believe that we are immune from such things. We want to believe we are strong and independent and self-made. This is the illusion that helps us most days, that is until we enter the wilderness.

(Based on Mark 1:9–15)

Saturday Reflection: Carrying a cross is never easy. We often associate the cross with pain and suffering. For those who experience chronic disease or simply the ravages of old age, it is easy to connect carrying a cross with physical pain. But carrying our crosses daily is about more than just enduring such pain. Jesus tells the disciples to “deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Carrying a cross is also about obedience. It means leaving selfishness behind. Carrying a cross means being concerned about more than ourselves. Let Jesus show you the way.

(Based on Mark 8:31–38)

Saturday Reflection: Jesus looks at the temple courtyards and does not like what he sees. Money changers making exorbitant profits from the poor. Merchants not showing respect for God. Inattentive and sometimes uncaring priests. Jesus responds in a surprising way. He flips over tables and drives out the merchants and others with a whip of cords. He tells those selling doves “Take these things out of here!” What do you need to overturn in your life? As you go through this season of self-examination, what is Jesus telling you to take out of your heart to make more room for him?

(Based on John 2:13–22)

Saturday Reflection: Lent is a time of spiritual renewal and preparation. Yet, we need not make this season overly spiritual. Holiness is more than merely an internal and personal condition. It has social consequences too. Jesus came into the world. He came close to us, moved into the neighborhood, to save us. As you pray this week, listen to God telling you who you need to move closer to in the days ahead. What strangers are near that you can invite into friendship? What community connections can you ask God to help make stronger?

(Based on John 3:14–21)

Saturday Reflection: Jesus speaks beautiful but difficult words. “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains a single grain but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” We often want the fruit without doing what it truly takes to get it. Jesus offers us no shortcuts. He refuses to provide a quick and easy fix. Jesus has his eyes stayed on the cross. He surely knows it to be a place of his agony, but Jesus can also see what lies beyond. Resurrection awaits! Ask God to help you see beyond this present moment. What awaits you in the future? Does it make you hopeful, sad, angry? Talk with God about it and let the peace of heaven be your gift.

(Based on John 12:20–33)

February 18: Cards for Moms-to-Be at the Women's Prison

February 25: Socks & Undies Sundie

March 3: Cards for Springmoor Life Care Retirement Center Residents

March 10: Women's Clothing Collection for Reentry

March 17: Collection for North Raleigh Ministries Pantry