Prior Editions
A Lenten Devotional Series
We are building the family of Christ, a community
who lives a life of love just as Christ loves us. As followers of
Christ we:
| Worship God as the Father, Son and
Holy Spirit |
Week 1 |
Sunday 2/13/05 - Saturday
2/19/05 |
| Share God's love with the Frederick
community and the world |
Week 2 |
Sunday 2/20/05 - Saturday
2/26/05 |
| Build Godly relationships |
Week 3 |
Sunday 2/27/05 - Saturday
3/5/05 |
| Grow to be more like Christ through
discipleship |
Week 4 |
Sunday 3/6/05 - Saturday
3/12/05 |
| Serve actively in the church. |
Week 5 |
Sunday 3/13/05 - Saturday
3/19/05 |
| ...All to the glory of God. |
Week 6 |
Sunday 3/20/05 - Saturday
3/26/05 |
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Lent
is a 40-day period from Ash Wednesday to Easter. (Sundays are not
counted during this period as they represent the resurrection.) Lent
is typically a time of repentance and reflection that is usually
accompanied by fasting or giving up something as a way of preparation for
Easter. It came about as a way to imitate how Jesus fasted 40 days
in the desert following his baptism and in preparation for his ministry of
salvation. This is an important period on the Christian calendar and
deserves some prayerful consideration.
Last year about this time we embarked on "Forty
Days of Purpose" where we experienced Jesus and His grace in new and
exciting ways. His Holy Spirit moved us to engage more directly with
Him and focus on our vision and mission. Today, this first day of Lent, we
now find ourselves at the entrance of a new 40-day adventure where Jesus
calls us to imitate Him in preparation and renewal.
In this time of reflection and "thinking
again" about our lives in partnership with the Ruler of All Things, I
would suggest we spend some meditative time considering our mission as a
church. Personally, I plan to spend each week from now through Easter in
prayerful meditation on each of our five purposes enumerated in our
mission statement. I encourage each of us to do this, seeking God's will
and His voice. I encourage each of us to "hear and act" on the
guidance we receive and watch what Jesus does among us. This promises to
be an exciting time. I look forward to what Jesus will do for and through
us.
Above is our mission statement and calendar to
follow. May Jesus enrich your life and all those who are blessed through
the ministry He gives you.
Dave
Roberts
Co-chair,
Lay Leadership Development
Mid-Week
Musings
An
Occasional bulletin from Christ United Methodist Church