Lent is that 40-day period leading up to Easter. It is often a time when we use the image of a journey – a spiritual journey that helps connect us to the presence of God in our lives.  Our focus this year will be on what we need for the journey. You can one way of thinking about Lent in Pastor Phil's February reflection.

Meditations – Members of the congregation are putting together a Lenten booklet with quotes from the Bible and photo images that you can use for your own times of prayer and meditation during Lent. Copies are available at church. You can also sign up with the national United Church of Christ to receive a daily Lenten reflection by email.

Prayer – We will have two times for group prayer each Wednesday during Lent – at noon and at 6:30 p.m.  Come join us for about 20 minutes of time to refresh yourself on the journey as we raise prayers for justice in our world.

Food – We will also provide a chance to refresh body as well as soul. We will have simple soup suppers at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays in Fellowship Hall.

Offerings -  Lent is a time when people often think about ways to give to others. We will have several ways to do that here. Our Giving Locally – Going the Second Mile envelope for winter gives you a chance to contribute through our Outreach Committee to the work of local organizations helping people with a variety of needs. Our young people are raising money for the Heifer Project throughout Lent as well as gathering items to pass on to people in our community through our Lenten Basket of God's Love.  And we have put the lunch bag back in the narthex to gather loose change and bills to help the social worker at Leopold Elementary School close the financial gap for school lunches for some students.

Worship – And we will gather for Lenten worship on Sundays at 8:30 and 10 a.m. as well as on some other special times:

            Feb. 17 – 8: 30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. – Ash Wednesday

            April 1 – 7 p.m. – Night of the Lord’s Supper (Maundy Thursday)

            April 2 – 7 p.m. – Good Friday

            April 3 – 7 p.m. – Easter Vigil (Holy Saturday)

Come, join us on the journey.