'Ash Wednesday' Tagged Posts
The Beginning of Lent
Dear FUMC Family, I pray that you are ready to move into the sacred season of Lent, which begins tomorrow – Ash Wednesday. Lent is the solemn Christian observance commemorating the 40 days Jesusspent fasting in the desert, according to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. During those days He was tempted by Satan. We will observe the sacred holy day tomorrow with a brief worship serviceat 6:00PM. During the service, attendees will receive ashes on their foreheads…
Coming Events
First Church Family, I pray that you are enjoying some respite from cold, dark, and rainy days. I certainly am! Note the following updates: *Please consider making a special offering for those suffering in Turkey and Syria following the catastrophic earthquake last week. Our relief agency, UMCOR, is on the ground there working around the clock to bring comfort and relief to those who are recovering. You may make a donation to our church with the memo “UMCOR Turkey,” knowing…
Beatitudes
First Church Family, I pray that you are doing well. We are a month and a half past Christmas and well into the New Year. While that is hard to believe, I am remembering the areas of growth and challenge we experienced in 2022 as we followed Jesus. And I must say that I’m tremendously excited about the places God is going to lead us in 2023. Over the past weeks in worship, we have been exploring Jesus’ Beatitudes. The word “beatitude”…
February News
First Church Family: Happy New Year! It seems almost too late to share that, doesn’t it, as we are already well into 2023. But the happiness I wish for you is the happiness that Jesus talked about in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12) – the passage on which we will focus in worship over the coming weeks; for the term “blessed” that Jesus used really means “happy,” though in a different way that we usually think about it. Please be…
March News
First Church Family, I pray that you are enjoying seeing March flowers burst through the ground. Spring will be here soon! I know it’s early, but I want to share several things with you about Lent, which begins on Wednesday, March 2, and continues through Saturday, April 9. A service of Dispensation of Ashes will be held on Ash Wednesday, at 6:00pm in our Sanctuary. All persons, regardless of age or membership, are invited. Our Lenten…
Ash Wednesday Preparations
First Church Family: A number of persons in our church family have received the second COVID vaccine, which is wonderful. After receiving a call from the hospital weeks ago, asking whether I would want to get one if I could, I said “yes,” and set up an appointment. I was able to get my second shot Monday and did have some reaction to it. I pray you are doing well and that you will have the opportunity to be vaccinated soon. Next Wednesday, February 17, is…