Preview of Sunday 2.27.22 "An Invitation to a Holy Lent"

This Weekend: Sunday at 10:30am “An Invitation to a Holy Lent” Scriptures: Psalm 23 and Luke 9:28-45.Pastor Christopher Eshelman preaching.

Technology has given us a new wisdom about “restarting.” Problems are often resolved after a reboot - the writer Anne Lamott applies this to the practice of Sabbath rest saying: “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” Our world is so often frantic - and many forces seek to unsettle us, ground us in fear and anger rather than faith and joy; to drive us to selfishness rather than self-care and love of neighbor. Our Lenten series will be based on a book by the late Rev. Dr. Junius Dotson called Soul Reset, that offers insight into the journey and practices that can help along the way. it's about challenging the franticness of the world - rebooting - and becoming an Easter people. See, “Love has already won.” Christ has already accomplished redemption. We live in a “not yet” world, but the Kingdom and Kin-dom of God is already here, among us - if we have eyes to see and ears to hear. We need to reset.

As we transition into this season of penitence and preparation, this week, I kept coming back to the lectionary reading. The Transfiguration. Jesus, talking with Moses and Elijah, the law and the prophets - revealing and proclaiming the fullness of God’s time - and the disciples response. Luke’s reading goes on to follow their trip down the mountain and a scene of failure and frustration, and further into Jesus telling the Disciples something they don’t want to hear and aren’t ready to accept. I’m pondering Jesus’ divinity, and humanity - and my own humanity, through the lens of the disciples and the story they tell, with all its discomfort. And as I pondered, I kept coming back to Psalm 23 and its assurances. Lent is about hearing both and entering, deeply, into the story and the journey of faith with confidence and humility. I invite you, therefore, in the name of Christ’s universal Church, to observe a holy Lent: by self–examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self–denial; and by reading and meditating on God's Holy Word. To make a right beginning of repentance. Join us Sunday, and again Wednesday evening as we celebrate Ash Wednesday, March 2ndat 7pm. We will draw from tradition while also engaging in new ways. What burdens do you carry? What needs to be given up? What might God be equipping you to take on?

This Week Wednesday, March 2nd, 5:30pm Feeding Families in His Name – this weekly free meal is available to everyone without obligation - then join us at 7pm in the Sanctuary for our special Ash Wednesday service.

Community Office Hours this week: Pastor Christopher would love to visit with you, he’ll be at Hedgehog, Ink1 from 2-3pm on Tuesday setting up a display on the practice of Labyrinth walking and then Common Grounds from 9:30-10:30am Friday. Appointments are available other times - call the church at (620) 223-1950.

301 Prayers: You are invited to set an alarm at 3:01pm every day (or another regular time that works better for you) and pause for intentional prayer for our church, community, nation and world as we seek God’s will in 2022.