The journey has begun. With the imposition of ashes and the public confession of our sins yesterday, we took our first steps into this 40 day journey to the cross with Jesus. We were reminded as a cross of ashes was made on our forehead of our need for God’s saving grace, of our own mortality, and of our humanity with the words, “You are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

Last weekend, our Focus on Faith speaker and guest preacher the Rev. Dr. Tom Are asked us to consider what it truly means to be Christian and to be saved. If you didn’t hear him speak or preach, I urge you to listen to his sermons and lectures on our YouTube channel as we embark on this journey.

To help you walking alongside Jesus this Lent, our Witness Ministry Team has several service opportunities already underway. In previous eUpdates, I mentioned our current Spring Break food bags. Our Habitat for Humanity build that was delayed due to the rain is finally breaking ground this Saturday. We are also inviting all members to serve dinner at First Light on Monday, March 9. No experience is necessary. Melissa Robinette, who has served at the shelter numerous times, will be there to ensure everyone knows what to do… and has fun preparing and serving dinner to the women and children who are guests at the shelter.

Beginning Sunday, we will start a reverse offering during all of our worship services. Baskets filled with prayer requests will follow our normal offering. Please take a request. Pray for the individual(s) all week then hang the request in our stairwell or “prayerwell” or in the narthex in Highland Hall.

Finally, it’s time to open your Lent-in-a-Box. If you haven’t received this kit with scriptures and interactive activities, some are still available. Just ask the receptionist. It looks like a pizza box but there’s no pepperoni in it. At the same time, you will find some nice surprises in there that will assist you on your walk through Lent.

See you Sunday! Don’t forget to wear purple!!

Bill