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February 16, 2023
Dear First Congregational Church,
The name “Lent,” from an old English word for “lengthening,” refers to the gradually longer days of springtime in the Northern Hemisphere. What was cold becomes warm. What was dormant awakens. Just as green shoots break through the winter ground, so the church prepares to proclaim the life-giving joy of Easter. During Lent, we prepare ourselves with forty days of reflection, all for the sake of more fully celebrating Easter’s song when it arrives.
This year, our Scripture passages focus on stories of people who are
seeking. Nicodemus comes looking for Jesus in the mysterious veil of night.
A Samaritan woman at the well greets him with curiosity. In his presence, a man born blind finds his sight. In these stories, something new is revealed
as people seek – a greater understanding, a different life, a deeper faith.
Each heart-to-heart conversation with Jesus is filled with questions.
Throughout the turbulence of the past few years, many of us have been asking questions too - about our lives, our faith, and our calling as a congregation. Our Lenten journey or quest invites us to continue to be seekers, to discern and linger in good questions. What are you seeking? What is God seeking for you? For your Lenten journey, we are sending you gifts for reflection and a schedule of special worship services.
Seeking: Honest Questions for Deeper Faith Devotional
Art, Poetry, Scripture, Reflections – inviting you to look, read, pray, and enter more deeply into the Scripture texts and themes of Lent. A Sanctified Art,
the collaborative creators of our devotional, have provided a special e-reader version, which you can access on your computer, tablet, or mobile phone: online.flippingbook.com/view/928029194/. To protect the creators’ work, please refrain from posting this link on social media. If you would prefer a print version of this devotional, you can pick one up in the Narthex of the Sanctuary or a table in the Link or ask the church office to mail it to you.
Seeking: Devotional Cards
For your further reflection, we are also offering a set of 52 daily devotional cards for Ash Wednesday through the first few days of Easter. Each card has
a question for reflection and a short prayer, great for building a daily rhythm
of prayer. Pick up an envelope of cards in the Sanctuary Narthex or the Link.
A journal is included in each envelope.
Seeking: Faith at Home Resources for Families
Each week throughout the season families with children will receive an
email that includes prayers, scripture, reflections and activities to do
together as a family.
ASH WEDNESDAY WORSHIP, February 22
Noon in the Chapel and 5:30 PM in the Sanctuary and on YouTube
6:30 PM Soup Supper in Standish and Heritage Rooms
This quiet service of prayer, confession, Scripture, song, the sacrament
of Holy Communion, and Imposition of Ashes marks our entrance into the contemplative season of Lent. For those who would like to linger after the evening service, a simple supper prepared by our Board of Spiritual Life will follow in the Standish and Heritage Rooms.
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