Our journey through this Lenten season of remembering, returning and renewal begins on Ash Wednesday, February 17, with Zoom worship at 7 p.m. Come join the 40-day journey of remembrance, return and renewal in faith. Join us as we hear the words of the prophet Joel ringing in our ears: “Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart…Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love…”
Ashes to be used for placement on our foreheads will be available for you to pick up at our 600 Shepard Avenue facility each day leading up to Ash Wednesday, beginning Friday afternoon, February 12. The ashes will be in a plastic container located at the front door. Please take one small bag for your household.
In this still unusual time fraught with reminders of life’s fragility, the use of ashes this year is particularly poignant. However they are imposed, as we trace the cross on our foreheads and hear the words, “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return,” we are given to recall not only our own mortality but the gift of our baptism when we were promised that life never ends in the promise of Christ crucified-risen for us.
Lenten Bible Study
Join in our Lenten Bible Study, “Walking in the Shadow of the Cross,” on five Wednesday evenings beginning February 24, from 7-8 p.m., via Zoom. We will study and reflect together on selected texts that will be heard on Sunday mornings during the Lenten season.
On February 24th, the theme for our discussion will be “Trust.” We will look at three readings: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16; Romans 4:13-25; and Mark 8:31-38. Each session will conclude with a brief version of evening prayer. Pastor Swenson will lead these conversations. Please contact him directly about your interest in participating, so that he can send you a Zoom invitation.
