Lent to Focus on Returning to God
“The Way of the Cross: Returning to God” is the theme for Lent this year. Some changes have taken place in the schedule since this series was previously announced, including a special combined service on Palm Sunday. Themes and preachers are:
- February 22, Pastor Becky, Matthew 4:1-11. Focus: Jesus enters the wilderness not to escape God, but to return fully to God’s will. Lent begins in the wilderness, where false dependencies are exposed and true trust is restored.
- March 1, Pastor Nancy, John 9:1-41. Focus: Jesus heals a man born blind, revealing that spiritual blindness can be more dangerous than physical blindness.
- March 8, Pastor Don, John 12:20-33. Focus: Jesus speaks of his impending death as the path to glory. Returning to God requires trust that life comes through surrender.
- March 15, Guest Speaker Bethany Hoffer, Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16, & Luke 6:12. Focus: By following Jesus’ examples of prayer, we may find deeper connection with God and each other.
- March 22, Becky, John 12:1-8. Mary kneels at Jesus’ feet and anoints him with expensive oil. Returning to God means holding nothing back.
- March 29, Palm Sunday. In preparation for Easter, Pastors Becky and Nancy are planning a combined service in the Sanctuary featuring Scripture and music to focus on the final days of Jesus’ life. The Chapel service will meet at its regular time and follow a similar order of worship.
- April 5, Pastor Becky concludes her interim pastorate with an Easter sermon.