Offerings and Exercises for Lent 2012

Lent begins this Wednesday, February 22, with a solemn call for repentance as we begin our journey to the baptismal waters of Easter. The sign of ashes suggests our human mortality and frailty. What seems like an ending is really an invitation to make each day a new beginning, in which we are washed in God's mercy and forgiveness. With the cross on our brow, we long for the spiritual renewal that flows from the springtime Easter feast to come.

Daily Devotional Guide
Seven Wonders of the Word is a 40-day scripture and devotional guide. Lent is a great time to increase our reading and understanding of scripture-the primary language of our faith. Weekly readings include reflections on how God's word creates, commands, sustains, shapes and sends. Take this journey on your own or with a friend.

Adult Forum during the period of Lent will focus on the Making Sense of the Cross series. Readers are invited into a conversation about the meaning of the cross in their lives.

Copies of Seven Wonders of the Word and Making Sense of the Cross are available at church for $10 and $15 respectively.

Daily Prayer at 3:30pm 
In John 3:30 John the Baptist says of Jesus in The Message, "This is the assigned moment for him to move into the center, while I slip off to the sidelines."  We have matched that time in the afternoon with a verse as a moment for God and prayer.  Pray for all kinds of things at 3:30 p.m. each day:  for what is going on around you at that moment, loved ones, friends, world events, the church, yourself. Know that many in the congregation are praying then as well.
 
Silence for 10 minutes Each Day
For ten minutes each day go into a room where you can be quiet, light a candle, and sit in silence. Don't say or do anything. Skip the candle if you like.  Mind your breathing or say a simple prayer over and over, like "Lord have mercy," or "God be with me."  You will hear little voices telling you what a waste of time this is. You'll think of all the important tasks you really should be doing. You'll even hear a voice saying that this would be a much more productive time spent on anything else. And you'll hear a clever little voice saying that you're really a failure at this. All of that will prove that you're in just the right place, wrestling with the demons in you and our world-of stress, pressure, and productivity. And if you sit long enough, you'll be aware that you are being held.

Wednesday Soup Supper and Evening Prayer
Gather for a simple meal in the fellowship hall followed by prayer and discussion. See 'Soup Supper' column for more details.