February/March Newsletter

Once again it seems that Ash Wednesday has snuck up on me! One minute we are celebrating Epiphany and the next thing I know it is Ash Wednesday, how does this happen? Ash Wednesday will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 5th at 6:30 PM in the Sanctuary.

Ash Wednesday is an important day in the church calendar. It marks the beginning of Lent, a season of preparation for the celebration of Easter. It matters not if you are reading this article on the day of Ash Wednesday, or after. The important part is that Ash Wednesday happens. We need Ash Wednesday to happen so that we can remember. Remember just how much God loves us through Jesus Christ.

Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday. Lent comes from the Anglo Saxon word lencten, meaning “lengthen” and refers to the lengthening days of spring. The forty days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan and preparing to begin his ministry.

Lent is a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of self-examination and reflection. In the early church, Lent began as a period of fasting and preparation for baptism by new converts and then became a time of penance by all Christians. Today, Christians focus on their relationship with God, growing as disciples and extending ourselves, often choosing to give up something or to volunteer and give of ourselves for others. Sundays in Lent are not counted in the forty days because each Sunday represents a "mini-Easter." This is why you will see the designation "Sunday in Lent" rather than "Sunday of Lent" in the naming of these Sundays. On each Lord's Day in Lent, while Lenten fasts continue, the reverent spirit of Lent is tempered with joyful anticipation of the Resurrection.

Ash Wednesday is not a holiday from work, school, or most other obligations, so if we are not intentional in our observance it is likely to resemble any ordinary Wednesday. To help us find ways to remember the holy during our routines—something we should strive for every day—consider the suggestions offered below for Ash Wednesday, or any day during the Lent season.

Worship - Attend the Ash Wednesday Worship Service, held at 6:30 PM in the sanctuary, on Facebook Live, or on ZOOM. The worship service is a time of intentional prayer, singing, confession and pardon, and the imposition of ashes. The purpose of this service is to help us reflect on our own mortality and the need for us to confess our sins. Make intentional plans to participate in each Sunday worship leading up to Easter. April 20th is Easter Sunday. Look for ways throughout the week to be a part of a small group study to learn more and worship more, see the Bible Study page for more opportunities.

Be Still – Some find meaning in the stillness. Light a candle and pause before the presence of God. Practice your breathing. Inhale the Holy Spirit and exhale a Praise. Listen for the voice of God.

Serve – On Ash Wednesday we remember that we are part of the human family, making it a great day to serve others. If possible, find a place to volunteer for the day. Take an hour and help your elderly neighbor clean up their yard, offer to change the light bulbs in their house, or offer to salt their steps when bad weather is coming. Perhaps you view this Lent season as a season to be in community and look for service opportunities throughout the season to serve others.

Fast/Abstain – “Giving something up for Lent” is a common practice for many Christians. Often, we give up our favorite dessert or try to kick a bad habit during Lent. This fast begins on Ash Wednesday, but don’t confine yourself to just food or habits. Perhaps try to abstain from negative talk, or give up your fears and anxiety. These will be a little more challenging to abstain from, but when the “anxiety” arises, pause for prayer.

Clean something – Ash Wednesday is a good day to get a jump on your spring cleaning. Spend an hour with the junk drawer, that cabinet at work, or organizing the files on your computer. As you remove things you no longer need and reorder those you do, be mindful of the ways God "cleans" us. The Bible tells us "As far as east is from west—that's how far God has removed our sin from us" (Psalm 103:12, CEB). As we get things in order, we remember that Jesus gave his life so that we might be free from our sins and know new life.

Burn something – When you finish cleaning, take some of the papers you no longer need to the fireplace or fire pit in the back yard. Light them and watch as they turn to ashes. The ashes in the fireplace are not the same as the ones used in worship, but can serve as a similar reminder that your sins are forgiven. As the smoke rises-up the chimney, know your prayers are rising to God as well.

Forgive and seek forgiveness – As we pray for God's grace, we should also seek forgiveness from those we have wronged. Ash Wednesday is a great time to go to those you have hurt. It is also a wonderful day to forgive another. Jesus taught us to pray, "Forgive us for the ways we have wronged you, just as we also forgive those who have wronged us" (Matthew 6:12 CEB). Maybe while you are burning those old papers, you might also burn a grudge. If appropriate, let the person know you forgive them. Remember, however, that forgiveness has much more to do about us than the one who offended us.

I believe the Lent season gives us an opportune time to practice these spiritual disciplines and to realign ourselves with the power of the Holy Spirit. As a Pastor, Lent is one of my favorite seasons of the Christian calendar to teach and share with others. As a Soul walking this daily path, my spirit begins to breathe a little deeper in the Lent season and give a sigh of relief when I remember the purpose of Lent. That purpose is to slow our pace and reflect on the life, ministry, and purpose of Jesus, considering, our own calling, purpose and baptism.

Over the years, as I have learned more about the Lenten season and more importantly learned how Jesus lived his life, amid strife, pain, and turmoil. I have gleaned from Jesus’ wisdom of taking time to pray and meditate, (Luke 5:16). Time to separate himself from others and take in the beauty of silence. Friends, hear me clearly, I have NOT Yet, conquered this technique! I am practicing this technique. In all honesty, some days are truly hard to just hold my head above water and keep a graceful approach to life and to my “neighbors”. Yet, this season of Lent allows me the grace to slow down and remember my Creator and my purpose, NO MATTER WHAT LIES THE ENEMY whispers in my ear! (Luke 4:1-13) 

I pray that we once again can approach the 40 days of Lent to gain a new perspective of God and God’s love for us. I pray that during this season, new and longtime Christians alike hear the call to return to God with all their hearts, I pray you will join me each Sunday morning and Wednesday evening for a closer look at Jesus and what it means to give God our heart and discover the Depth of God’s Love. Father God, please allow us to lean into this season with expectant hearts so we can learn together how to breathe in the power of the Holy Spirit and exhale a praise to God! 

In Christ,

Pastor Amy

Full newsletter can be downloaded here.

 *the seven practices of lent is used with permission from the UMC.org, for more information on the Lent season visit UMC.org