Lent 2012

Lent is a forty day journey. Lent has traditionally been marked by fasting, employing a Lenten discipline, intense biblical study, preparation for baptism, and a deeper realization of our relationship with God. The journey begins on Ash Wednesday as we hear those words, “remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.” Our Lenten journey culminates with Easter Sunday as the Church joins the Hallelujah chorus! 

We want to invite the congregation, as we move through Lent, to sing a particular song. It is a song that underscores our humanity, fragility, and the difficult realities of our life together. The song, in short, tells the truth! The song is sung by Amy Grant and is entitled Better than a Hallelujah. Here’s the chorus:

We pour out our miseries, God just hears a melody

Beautiful the mess we are, the honest cries of breaking hearts

Are better than a Hallelujah.

We are going to take a lyric from the song each Wednesday night as we explore a person’s encounter with Jesus. Our theme is: Beautiful the Mess We Are. Life is messy but it is Jesus who brings beauty into the midst of chaos. Jesus transforms our miseries into a melody that sings a whole new world into existence. Through Lent, we will experience moments of profound grace, dazzling love, and the beauty of Christ that brings everything into focus.   

Our worship each Wednesday night begins at 6:30 in the sanctuary. Holden Evening Prayer, Kid’s Time, celebration of Holy Communion, and listening to a Jesus encounter provides the rhythm for worship. Here is a list of the themes for each night:

    February 22 Beautiful the Mess We Are 
    (Ash Wednesday)

February 29 Soldier’s Plea Not to Let Him Die

March 7 The Woman Holding on for Life

March 14 The Dying Man Giving Up the Fight

March 21 Tears of Shame For What’s Been Done

March 28 Silence When the Words Won’t Come