I always appreciate the season of Lent, the forty days and forty nights (plus Sundays) during which we count up to Easter. It’s a time for prayer and self-evaluation. A time to give up bad habits and thoughts. A time to take up good spiritual practices like prayer and serving others. (In theological language: we repent of our sins and take up the cross of faithfulness.) All of these things come from Jesus’ story in the Gospels.
During Lent 2023 we’ll be continuing our series Beloved Son, reading more stories in the Gospel of Mark, learning who Jesus can be for us, and what difference God’s love makes for all of us. When we reach the end of Lent, the seven days of Holy Week are also found in Mark’s story. We remember how Jesus entered Jerusalem, taught at the Temple, challenged the unjust practices of his time, had a Last Supper with his disciples, and laid down his life for God’s Kingdom. Most of Mark’s story hurries from place to place – because Jesus
has a lot of work to do. But Mark slows down when telling about Jesus’ last seven days – and we are invited to do the same.
So let me encourage and invite you to participate fully in Lent and Holy Week this year. As we pray, study, and worship, it can be a time of peace and fullness. We can find moments of joy and gratitude, as we hear once again how much God loves us. And for this same reason, we look forward to celebrating together on Easter Sunday.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor John
PS – I want to make sure to thank each of our Grace church artists who have been sharing their skills and gifts
with us during our series Beloved Son. Make sure to look for all our artwork on Easter Sunday, when we’ll
have a display of all the illustrations from the stories we’ve been reading together.
During Lent 2023 we’ll be continuing our series Beloved Son, reading more stories in the Gospel of Mark, learning who Jesus can be for us, and what difference God’s love makes for all of us. When we reach the end of Lent, the seven days of Holy Week are also found in Mark’s story. We remember how Jesus entered Jerusalem, taught at the Temple, challenged the unjust practices of his time, had a Last Supper with his disciples, and laid down his life for God’s Kingdom. Most of Mark’s story hurries from place to place – because Jesus
has a lot of work to do. But Mark slows down when telling about Jesus’ last seven days – and we are invited to do the same.
So let me encourage and invite you to participate fully in Lent and Holy Week this year. As we pray, study, and worship, it can be a time of peace and fullness. We can find moments of joy and gratitude, as we hear once again how much God loves us. And for this same reason, we look forward to celebrating together on Easter Sunday.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor John
PS – I want to make sure to thank each of our Grace church artists who have been sharing their skills and gifts
with us during our series Beloved Son. Make sure to look for all our artwork on Easter Sunday, when we’ll
have a display of all the illustrations from the stories we’ve been reading together.
Pastor’s Bible Study
In the new year Pastor John will be starting two new groups that will read through the Gospel of Mark. These are designed to complement our worship series, Beloved Son, which begins January 8th. No prior Bible reading experience is needed, and you won’t even need to bring a Bible – all materials are pro-vided.
The first group will meet on Sunday mornings following worship at 11:15am – 12:15 pm. It will convene in the large conference room upstairs at church. The second group will meet on Mondays from 2:15 – 3:15 pm. It will gather at The Pointe at Sunrise Retirement Community (5501 Gordon Dr. East) in the 3rd floor Conference room. This is intended primarily for those living there, but others are welcome too.
Beloved Son: Meeting Jesus in Mark’s Gospel
From Jesus’ Baptism to Resurrection, the Gospel of Mark tells a story about God’s Son, who teaches, heals, casts out evil, feeds, and confronts the powerful – all to reveal something he calls The Kingdom of God. From January 8 (Baptism of the Lord) through April 9 (Easter) we’ll be reading a series of stories from Mark in worship. We’ll be learning what it means for him to be called God’s Beloved Son, and what it means for us to live as he did – loved by God so we can serve the world around us in Jesus’ name.
The first group will meet on Sunday mornings following worship at 11:15am – 12:15 pm. It will convene in the large conference room upstairs at church. The second group will meet on Mondays from 2:15 – 3:15 pm. It will gather at The Pointe at Sunrise Retirement Community (5501 Gordon Dr. East) in the 3rd floor Conference room. This is intended primarily for those living there, but others are welcome too.
Beloved Son: Meeting Jesus in Mark’s Gospel
From Jesus’ Baptism to Resurrection, the Gospel of Mark tells a story about God’s Son, who teaches, heals, casts out evil, feeds, and confronts the powerful – all to reveal something he calls The Kingdom of God. From January 8 (Baptism of the Lord) through April 9 (Easter) we’ll be reading a series of stories from Mark in worship. We’ll be learning what it means for him to be called God’s Beloved Son, and what it means for us to live as he did – loved by God so we can serve the world around us in Jesus’ name.