ASH WEDNESDAY

Lent is a season of repentence and fasting in preparation for the Celebration of the Resurrection (Easter). The word 'lent' comes from the Anglo-Saxon word  lenchten  which means a lengthening of days. It is the season of 40 days (not including Sundays which are feast days). The number 40 remembers the years the Israelites wandered in the wilderness, the days Jesus spent in the wilderness, and the hours Jesus spent in the tomb.

Lent begins today with a day of repentance known as Ash Wednesday. At our Ash Wednesday worship service tonight at 6:00 pm we will observe the imposition of ashes. 

During Lent it has been a tradition to "give something up" (chocolate, fried foods, alcohol, tobacco). I have always encouraged not just giving something up, but taking something new up as well. As a Lenten discipline I encourage members of the United Methodist Church of Evergreen to join me in the following:
  1. Attend the seven Sundays of Lent/Easter.
  2. Pray daily at 7:00 am this simple prayer: "Loving God, help me to be all you would have me to be in Jesus' name. Amen."
  3. Invite seven persons to attend UMCE with you. 
Prayer:  "Loving God, help me to be all you would have me to be in Jesus' name.  Amen."