It's hard to believe that even though it seems as if we just finished celebrating Christmas, Lent is just around the corner. Ash Wednesday is February 22
nd and we will hold a joint worship service at Metzger at 6:00 pm to mark the beginning of the Lenten season. As we receive the traditional ashes, they serve to remind us that journeying with Jesus is an experience that should not leave us unmarked or unchanged. Ashes are also used as fertilizer, and it is my hope that our Lenten experience will serve as a starting point that continues to fertilize and deepen our faith journeys with one another as we Journey with Jesus to Jerusalem. The rest of this article describes the opportunities for participating in a small group as a commitment to grow in our faith.
Please consider participating in one of the seven week small group classes being offered. We are offering 3 different times in order to make it possible for all to join. Let me know if you are interested in co-leading a group or providing the soup for one of the sessions.
· Sundays at Janine’s home 5:00 to 6:30 Feb 26-April 8, includes soup and bread.
· Tuesdays at West Portland Feb 28-April 10, 5:30-7:00 pm includes a soup supper, child care can be arranged.
· Wednesdays at Metzger, Feb 29-April 11, 12:30-2:00 bring a lunch and we’ll provide a beverage and dessert.
Week 1 Risking Adventure, Mark 8:31-37, what it means to decide to follow Jesus for us today?
Week 2 Choosing Your Traveling Companions, Mark 10:13-16, what does it mean that we are children of God, approach God’s kingdom as a child and relate to all our brothers and sisters as children of God?
Week 3 Self Esteem, Mark 11:1-11, how has God uniquely gifted you? What gifts are you using? What gifts are you hesitant to try out?
Week 4 Working for God, Mark 10:35-44, how can all of our life be a part of working for God? What would a dream ministry look like?
Week 5 Temptation and Sabbath, Mark 14:32-40, what temptations do we face? What temptations do people in the community face? What possibilities for ministry might evolve? Is there anything good about temptation?
Week 6 Money. Mark 12:41-44 and Mark 10:17-22, what are the Biblical principles for dealing with money? What values did we learn? How comfortable are we around issues of money, lack of money? What does the church offer people in the community who have few financial resources? How might money influence how or whether someone feels like a child of God?
Week 7, Suffering, Psalm 31, how do we experience God in the midst of suffering? How are we currently present and available to those who are suffering in our community, in our church family?
We will begin and end our Lenten journey by reflecting on our decision to be followers of Jesus and what it means to learn and grow as we continue our pilgrim journey together. Please look for the signup sheets and make a commitment to join us this lent.
