The season of Lent is a time of reflection. This season starts this coming Wednesday, at Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday starts this time whereas a church and as individuals where we reflect our sin, our need for Jesus, and the power that He brings to our lives.
This season began thousands of years ago as new converts to the Christian faith were baptized and became fully part of the church. However, before they were baptized, they had a time of reflection, of prayer, of fasting, of preparation. They were getting themselves ready to make this decision, to take this plunge. But before they did, they made sure that they were ready.
We do the same thing today in this season of Lent. We know that God has called us to do great things. And for preparation for that, we need to get ready for that, ready to be faithful. We prepare.
February 14: Ash Wednesday. We begin Lent with our Ash Wednesday service. Join us for a meal starting at 5:00 p.m. (you can click here to sign up) and our service that begins at 6:00 p.m. We'll also begin our Lenten series "The Devil is in the Details" where we look at what the Bible says about Satan and spiritual warfare. If you are unable to join us for Worship, we will have ashes available throughout the day at the church.
March 22: the palm leaves are folded into the palms for palm Sunday. if you can help join us at 10 am. Sign-ups are by choir and the office or you can contact Tim Rigby for more information
March 23: We have our yearly Easter Christ Cupboard meal delivery. Join us as we prepare and deliver meals for those who need a meal and a visit. Contact Rev. Beth Feisel, Associate Pastor for Congregational Care or Kaye Herring to learn how you can serve!
March 24: Palm Sunday: Join with us as we begin Holy Week together by waving our Palms high and shouting Hosanna! And from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. we'll have our Annual Easter Egg Hunt.
Holy Week: Come by the church during Holy Week to journey with us through our Stations of Cross
March 27: Holy Wednesday: Join us at 5:00 p.m. for our meal and then at 6:00 p.m. as we will have an intergenerational program by Camp Wesley Pines
March 28: Maundy Thursday: Join us at 6:00 p.m. for our Maundy Thursday Service where we remember the Lord giving us Holy Communion and remember all He has done for our sake. This powerful service shows us the starkness of the cross. Immediately following this service, we will begin our 24-hour prayer vigil.
March 29: Good Friday:
1. Make plans to join us at Trinity Hispanic Mission from 9:00 am until after lunch to help with their Annual Easter Egg Hunt!
2. Join us at 6:00 p.m. for our Good Friday Service of Tenebrae. If you've never experienced this service, make plans to join us, you will be moved as we read Christ' last moments and witness the Light being extinguished.
March 30: Holy Saturday: One of our favorite traditions here at St. Matthew's is our Easter Flower Cross. To help contact Tim Rigby, Minister of Music, to learn how.
March 31: Easter: Join us to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus with a Sun Rise service at 6:30 a.m. as well as our regular Sunday Schedule - 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 Traditional Worship, INTERSECTION Worship at 11:00 a.m. and Sunday School at 9:45 a.m.