As we prepare to celebrate the risen Lord on Easter Sunday (April 9), we embark on the 40-day Lenten season, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday.

During Lent, GPUMC will offer a regular Lenten study led by Rev. David Eardley preceded by weekly Sunday night dinners.

The text for this year's Lenten study will be Everybody Always, by Bob Goff. In this book, Goff takes readers on a journey into the secret of living without fear, constraint, or worry. The path toward the liberated existence we all long for is found in a truth as simple to say as it is hard to do: Love people, even difficult ones, without distinction and without limits. The church has a limited number of copies of the book available for $12 each, or you can order from your favorite bookseller.

To get a sense of the author's approach to the content, you can watch a preview of the text in this YouTube video.

While Rev. Eardley leads adults on their discussion, Emily Bianchi will lead a separate but related study with the children on several of the nights. See schedule below for details.

When Holy Week arrives, we will offer several worship services plus an agape lunch. A former associate pastor at GPUMC, the Rev. Mary McInnes, will provide a message during that silent meal.

Please join each of these opportunities as your time allows.

Lenten schedule of events and services

Feb 22          Drive-through ashes, noon-1 pm, sanctuary doors

Feb 22          Ash Wednesday service, 7:30 pm, sanctuary & livestream

Feb 26       Lent dinner & study for both adults and children

5 pm dinner — men’s group cooking “breakfast for dinner”

6:30 pm Lenten study

March 1 Deadline for ordering Easter flowers (see details below) ]

March 5        Lent dinner & study for adults

5 pm dinner — pot luck. Everybody contributes a dish or dessert

6:30 pm Lenten study

March 12      Lent dinner & study for both adults and children

5 pm dinner — UMW soup supper

6:30 pm Lenten study

March 19      Lent dinner & study for both adults and children

5 pm dinner — Outreach hosting dinner

6:30 pm Lenten study

March 26     Music Sunday: Vivaldi’s Gloria presented by the GPUMC Chancel Choir, under the direction of Giustino Carrano

March 26     Lent dinner & study for both adults and children

5 pm dinner — Witness hosting Mexican fiesta dinner

6:30 pm Lenten study

April 2          Palm Sunday, 9:30 am traditional service, sanctuary & livestream

                     Easter egg hunt following worship service

April 4          Agape lunch, 11:30 am, Great Hall with speaker Rev. Mary McInnes

April 6          Maundy Thursday, 7:30 pm, sanctuary & livestream

April 7          Good Friday, noon, sanctuary & livestream

April 9          Easter

                       7:30 am Sonrise Service, Memorial Garden

                       9:30 am traditional service, sanctuary & livestream

Charlie van Becelaere is finalizing his work on the 2023 edition of the Lenten devotions book.....and he still has space for your devotion!

Charlie suggests you include three elements in each devotion: a relevant piece of scripture, a message related to the scripture, and a brief prayer. You can see the 2022 Lenten devotions booklet here if you need some inspiration.

With our help, Charlie will be able to assemble a booklet with 40 devotions that we can use to guide our prayer life during Lent.

Please send your written devotion to him at cvb@umich.edu. Charlie will acknowledge receiving each devotion. If you don't hear from him, please try again!

The deadline for submissions is Monday, Feb. 20. Charlie plans to assemble and distribute the booklet on Sunday, Feb. 26.

As part of our preparation for Easter, please consider ordering spring flowers that will adorn the chancel area for Easter morning.

A variety of flowers are available — azaleas, hyacinths, hydrangeas, mums, and tulips. Prices range from $10.50 to $22.00, depending on the type of flower that you select.

Orders are due by Wednesday, March 1.

An order form is available here. Please complete the order the return it with your check to the church office.

The Grosse Pointe Co-op Preschool, “a warm and sunny place where friendships grow,” which is located in the basement of the church is accepting students for the 2023-2024 school year. 

Classes for three-year-olds meet Tuesday/Thursday mornings and classes for four-year-olds meet Monday/Wednesday/Friday mornings.

To learn more, please contact the co-op membership chair, Ashley Raleigh at 248-953-3360.

Christian sympathy to the family and friends of Nila Carter, 90, who died last week following a brief hospitalization. Nila was a retired public school teacher who was devoted to her students and to public education.