Beginning Our Journey

/

Greetings in the Name of our Lord,

This week we enter the season of Lent. For Christians around the world, the season of Lent leading up to Easter is a time for repentance, self-examination, and prayer. As pastor, I ask that you join me in praying for all those affected by the violence that seems to be a constant part of our world. Again, this week, we were shaken with the reports of the shootings in Kansas City during the Super Bowl champion parade.

We live under the constant news of geo-political armed conflict around the world. Let us pray and fast for reconciliation and peace in our world. May God, in his grace, open our eyes to the things that make for peace, may God protect us from the evil of these days. 

On February 21 we start our “Food for the Journey” Lent dinners and activities - February 21, 28, March 6, and March 20. We have adult studies, Upper Alley Youth, Kids in Christ, and Celebration Choir. Nursery care is always available. 

I will be leading a discussion-based study on the Gospel of Mark. I have taught Mark over a dozen times and hope you will consider joining us on this whirlwind trip through the Gospel of Mark. To sign up, email me and simply put "Sign Me Up for Mark" in the subject line. Pastor Jana is doing a study on salvation from the book "Savior: What the Bible Says About the Cross". Her study will meet February 21, 28, March 13 and 20. You can email Pastor Jana for more information.

The schedule for each of these Wednesdays will be:

  • 6:00-6:25 p.m. - Dinner served in Celebration Hall (RSVP link at our Lent page)

  • 6:25-6:30 p.m. - Short worship time in Celebration Hall

  • 6:30-8 p.m. - Studies, Upper Alley Youth, Kids in Christ, Celebration Choir 

This Sunday we begin our journey to Easter through the sermon series, “Seeing the Real Jesus”. This Lenten sermon series seeks to follow Jesus from Bethany to Jerusalem, from the Cross to the Resurrection. 

In each sermon, we will explore the love of Christ that is willing to suffer and die for us. Yet, life with Christ does not end in death or defeat. Through the sacrifice of Christ we see the final victory of God’s love for us – resurrection. 

We begin our journey to the cross in Bethany as told in Mark 14:3-9. Here we see the extravagant adoration and love that is shown to Jesus just days before the crucifixion. All four of the gospels record the story. It is a remarkable story of how a woman named Mary, poured out her soul to show her devotion to Jesus by anointing Him with expensive perfume. This was not just an average expression of love and devotion. It was extravagant. In fact, Jesus says about this woman, that wherever the good news is shared, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her. 

How will our devotion and adoration for Jesus be remembered? OK? Average? Just getting by? Or will our worship of Jesus, our love expressed for Jesus have such depth, that it will be shared from one generation to the next.

Here is the main point to remember… to know Jesus is to worship Jesus. When Jesus says, “what she has done will be told in remembrance of her,” he points out the need for us to make adoration and worship the priority of our lives. Never miss an opportunity. Search for a reason. Let the presence of Jesus consume every fiber of our soul until our devotion is visible to all.

What has God given to us that he wants us to use for His glory? How does God want us to demonstrate our faith? In what ways can we offer our time, talents and treasure as an expression of our love for Christ?

See you Sunday. 

Pastor John Allen