As we prepare for Christmas, we light a new candle each Sunday; as we prepare for Good Friday, we extinguish candles each Sunday to remind us of the approaching darkness of betrayal and death.
We have begun our journey with Christ as He sets His face toward Jerusalem. This is a time of prayer and fasting . During the Lenten season, we think of those who turned away from the light of Jesus. It is through prayer and self reflection we remember that we, too, turn away in a variety of ways. By observing the forty days of Lent, the individual Christian imitates Jesus' withdrawal into the wilderness for forty days.
Keep on the journey with Christ and with each other! It is through experiencing this season that one encounters the True joy of Easter morning!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Ash Wednesday
February 17th, 2010 starts the season of Lent with what is called Ash Wednesday.
"Ash Wednesday emphasizes a dual encounter: we confront our own mortality and confess our sin before God within the community of faith. The form and content of the service focus on the dual themes of sin and death in the light of God's redeeming love in Jesus Christ."
"The use of ashes as a sign of mortality and repentance has a long history in Jewish and Christian worship, and the Imposition of Ashes can be a powerful nonverbal and experiential way of participating in the call to repentance and reconciliation." -UM Book of Worship
Rockport UMC will be offering the Imposition of Ashes at a 7pm service which immediately follows our first Meager Meal which consists of soup, bread and butter at 6pm. Prayerfully consider starting your Lenten journey with us.
"Ash Wednesday emphasizes a dual encounter: we confront our own mortality and confess our sin before God within the community of faith. The form and content of the service focus on the dual themes of sin and death in the light of God's redeeming love in Jesus Christ."
"The use of ashes as a sign of mortality and repentance has a long history in Jewish and Christian worship, and the Imposition of Ashes can be a powerful nonverbal and experiential way of participating in the call to repentance and reconciliation." -UM Book of Worship
Rockport UMC will be offering the Imposition of Ashes at a 7pm service which immediately follows our first Meager Meal which consists of soup, bread and butter at 6pm. Prayerfully consider starting your Lenten journey with us.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Sunday, Feb. 14 we will be looking at the scripture that describes the transfiguration of Jesus in the presence of Peter, John and James. This story will be found in Luke 9:28-36 (37-48)
Please note Lent begins with Ash Wednesday service on Feb. 17th. Please join us at 7:00pm in the sanctuary as we begin our 40 day journey with Christ to Jerusalem with the imposition of ashes.
Please note Lent begins with Ash Wednesday service on Feb. 17th. Please join us at 7:00pm in the sanctuary as we begin our 40 day journey with Christ to Jerusalem with the imposition of ashes.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Goin' Deeper
Wow! Are you enjoying the ride? I must say, the content of the messages (according to lectionary) have been linked together so wonderfully. Lets recap a bit:
Recently we have heard how baptism forms our identity in Christ. Then, as we receive the Holy Spirit, we also receive spiritual gifts in which we are to use wisely with passion. Following that, we hear how Jesus spoke of prophecy being fulfilled TODAY and how we are to be making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world TODAY! This past Sunday we recounted the story of expectation those in Jesus' hometown had of him. Then we were challenged to be who God would have us be, and how that may not fall into expectations others have of us.
Coming up, Feb. 7th, Tina Berardi, Certified Lay Speaker will give a message on Luke 5:1-11. It is in this scripture after an amazing catch of fish in the deep waters, Jesus calls Peter to follow him and be fishers of men! There is a process that Jesus takes Peter through in this text that helps him embark on a journey in finding who God would have him be, a fisher of men. We are "Goin' Deeper!"
Join us as we rejoice in God's unconditional love and sacrifice of His Son through Holy Communion.
Recently we have heard how baptism forms our identity in Christ. Then, as we receive the Holy Spirit, we also receive spiritual gifts in which we are to use wisely with passion. Following that, we hear how Jesus spoke of prophecy being fulfilled TODAY and how we are to be making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world TODAY! This past Sunday we recounted the story of expectation those in Jesus' hometown had of him. Then we were challenged to be who God would have us be, and how that may not fall into expectations others have of us.
Coming up, Feb. 7th, Tina Berardi, Certified Lay Speaker will give a message on Luke 5:1-11. It is in this scripture after an amazing catch of fish in the deep waters, Jesus calls Peter to follow him and be fishers of men! There is a process that Jesus takes Peter through in this text that helps him embark on a journey in finding who God would have him be, a fisher of men. We are "Goin' Deeper!"
Join us as we rejoice in God's unconditional love and sacrifice of His Son through Holy Communion.
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