Experiencing the Word: Shaped and Called–A Lenten Journey to the Cross

Easter comes late this year…as late as it ever gets!

In the early church (325 A.D.), church leaders gathered to make decisions about some important theological and practical matters including establishing a uniform date on which to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Though it may sound strange to us, it made perfect sense for them to tie the date to the moon phases, specifically on the Sunday following the first full moon that occurred after the Spring equinox.  Because of the lunar cycles, Easter will fall between 22. March and 25. April.

Whenever Easter is celebrated—the most important day on the Christian calendar—it is always preceded by the season of Lent, the 40 weekdays preceding Easter, that historically are days of prayer, fasting, repentance, self-denial, and giving.  Ash Wednesday—today—is the first day of Lent and it brings with it an opportunity for us to begin a personal journey of spiritual growth and prepare our hearts as individuals and as a church to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

This Lenten season I will be preaching a sermon series entitled, “Shaped and Called:  A Lenten Journey to the Cross” based on the Gospel and New Testament passages taken from the Revised Common Lectionary and will be challenging us to let God transform us by renewing our minds, changing our hearts, and surrendering our wills through some classic “holy habits” of Christian discipleship.  Here are the opportunities for personal growth you might consider during this Lenten journey:

Daily Office—Two guides to pausing, meditating, and praying are provided for you to use.  One focuses on SERVICE and the other on the Streams of Christian Life.  (Available in the resource rack or on the pastor’s/blog.)

Prayer and Fasting—A prayer and fasting guide is available in the resource rack.  Dedicate yourself to the practice of regular prayer and explore fasting as a means of deepening your spiritual life.

Daily Devotional—During Lent I like to select a devotional guide from a different Christian tradition to help broaden and balance my experience of God.  This year I’m using the online devotional guide provided by the United Methodist Church (http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/).  The key is to dedicate time each day to hearing God speak through Scripture and prayer.

Discipleship Group—Two groups are meeting on Sunday mornings before worship (see below).  Set aside this season of Lent as a time to deepen your commitment to study.

You can’t do everything, but you can do something.  Ask God to guide you as you commit yourself to growing to be more like Jesus Christ through these “holy habits” during this season of Lent.  If you do so, I can guarantee that God will honor your faith and obedience, and that when Easter rolls around the day will be more than just another day on the calendar.  Instead, you’ll kneel in humble gratitude as you peer into the empty tomb and celebrate the life-transforming grace of the cross and power of the resurrection!

Join me…will you…

On The Journey to the Cross,

Scott Corwin, Pastor

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