March 15, 2025

The Power of Prayer in Lent: A Wesleyan Perspective

As we enter the sacred season of Lent, we are invited into a time of reflection, repentance, and renewal. Lent is not merely a season of fasting and self-denial but a time to draw closer to God through the means of grace, chief among them being prayer. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, placed great emphasis on prayer as an essential practice in the life of a believer. He saw prayer as a means by which we cooperate with God's grace, experience His transforming power, and prepare our hearts for the glory of the Resurrection.

Prayer as a Means of Grace

Wesley taught that prayer is one of the most important means of grace, a divine avenue through which God strengthens our faith and deepens our love for Him. Lent provides a unique opportunity to engage in intentional and fervent prayer, allowing the Holy Spirit to refine us and conform us to the image of Christ. Wesley encouraged both personal and corporate prayer, knowing that through it, God works to convict, restore, and empower His people.

Jesus Himself modeled the necessity of prayer during His forty days in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). As He fasted and faced temptation, He remained in communion with the Father. In the same way, our Lenten prayers sustain us, reminding us that our strength comes not from earthly comforts but from God's sustaining grace.

Praying with Purpose

Lenten prayer is not merely about asking for our needs; it is about aligning our hearts with God's will. Wesley believed in the transformative power of prayer, teaching that it should be regular, heartfelt, and accompanied by deep faith. He encouraged believers to approach prayer with the following mindset:

1. Repentance and Confession – Lent is a time of self-examination, a time to seek God's mercy and allow Him to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Through prayer, we lay our sins before Him, trusting in His faithfulness to forgive.
2. Intercession for Others – Wesley emphasized the importance of praying for others, especially the poor, the sick, and the lost. Lent is a time to expand our prayers beyond ourselves, lifting up those in need and seeking God's kingdom on their behalf.
3. Listening to God – Prayer is not only speaking but also listening. Wesley often spoke of the importance of quieting our hearts to hear God's still, small voice. Lent is a season to cultivate silence and allow God to reveal His will to us.
4. Spiritual Renewal – Prayer during Lent is a time to ask God to revive our spirits, increase our faith, and set our hearts ablaze with holy love. Wesley longed for believers to experience entire sanctification, a work of grace through which God purifies our hearts and fills us with His perfect love.

The Fruits of a Prayer-Filled Lent

A Lent dedicated to sincere and fervent prayer will not leave us unchanged. As we journey through these forty days, we can expect to see the fruits of our prayers in tangible ways:

• A Deeper Relationship with God – The more time we spend in prayer, the more we experience God's presence in our daily lives.
• Greater Spiritual Strength – Just as Jesus withstood temptation in the wilderness through communion with the Father, we too find strength to resist sin and grow in holiness.
• Renewed Passion for Service – True prayer always moves us to action. As we pray, God stirs our hearts to serve others and be His hands and feet in the world.
• A Heart Prepared for Easter – Lent is a journey to the cross, and prayer helps us walk that journey with reverence, gratitude, and hope. By Easter Sunday, our hearts will be ready to rejoice in the victory of Christ's resurrection.

In this Lenten season, let us commit ourselves to the discipline of prayer. Let us pray with expectation, knowing that God hears, responds, and works in and through us. As John Wesley once wrote, “God does nothing but in answer to prayer.” May our prayers this Lent bring us closer to the heart of God, deepen our faith, and prepare us for the glorious joy of Easter morning.

Grace and peace to you during this Lenten season,

Pastor Tony

Worship Service, Sunday, March 16th @ 9:30am

What a glorious day of worship it's going to be at Lee-Scott on Sunday, March 16th!

At 9:30 you won't want to miss worship as we're joined by our hard-working Chorale, the Festival Orchestra, and guest pianist Ian Mulder, along with guest conductor/composer, Dan Goeller. The prelude, "Fairest Lord Jesus", and the postlude, "Lead On O King Eternal," were both composed by Mr. Goeller. What an inspiration it will be to hear the orchestra play these under his direction. Pianist Ian Mulder is no stranger to our congregation. He'll be playing his phenomenal arrangement of "Amazing Grace" with the orchestra. His anointed arrangement will truly bring you to the foot of the cross. Our Chorale will also sing Mr. Goeller's moving arrangement of "God So Loved the World" as well as his magnificent arrangement of "Thank You, Jesus, for the Blood" which also features Jacquie Cruz as soloist. How special for our choir to sing these under the composer's direction.

Pastor Tony will share a powerful message entitled "The Power of Prayer." What a timely message for this second Sunday of Lent. His message is based on Daniel 9:3-4,17-19 which is Daniel's heartfelt prayer of confession and supplication. This will be such a special service. You won't want to miss it.

Join us for the Glory of Easter Concert on March 16th at 3:00!

Join us for a very special day of worship through music and the spoken word on March 16th as we present a very special morning worship service at 9:30am and a full Easter concert at 3:00pm.  The worship service and afternoon performance are completely different so you'll want to attend both to not miss either of these powerful experiences. Musical guests will be internationally renowned Dutch pianist Ian Mulder and guest composer and conductor Dan Goeller. 

In the 9:30am worship service we'll be blessed to have our Chorale joined by our musical guests and full orchestra. The orchestra will play an inspiring prelude and postlude composed by Mr. Goeller and he will lead the choir in his arrangements of "God So Loved the World" and "Thank You Jesus for the Blood" which also features soloist Jacquie Cruz. Pianist Ian Mulder will also play his powerful and inspiring arrangement of "Amazing Grace" with the orchestra in the morning worship service. Topping off this incredible service of worship will be a message by Pastor Tony. Bring your family and friends for this high and holy worship service.

In the afternoon at 3:00pm, our choir, joined by guest singers from the community and the Prattville First Methodist Chancel Choir, will present a full Easter concert entitled, "The Glory of Easter." Within this concert, totally different from the morning service, Mr. Goeller will conduct the 20th anniversary performance of his glorious Easter work, “In His Own Words.” This anointed musical work features the words of Jesus' teaching leading up to his death and resurrection including the "I Am" phrases (I Am the Resurrection, I Am the Good Shepherd, I Am the Light, etc.) This work includes moving narrations spoken by Mr. Mike Hubbard. 

Also in the afternoon performance will be the world premiere of Ian Mulder's choral/symphonic work entitled "Celebrated Choral Classics" which combines beloved hymns of the faith with orchestral masterworks by Beethoven, Sibelius, Grieg, and Faure. What an amazing opportunity to have the world premiere of this work right here in Auburn! 

Don’t miss this amazing Lenten musical experience. 

A Special Night for Our Amazing Volunteers!

Church family, we are beyond grateful for each of you who give your time, energy, and heart to serve God's people and reach others for Jesus. Your dedication is a true reflection of Christ's love, and we want to celebrate YOU!

Join us for a Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on Sunday, March 23rd at 5 pm - a night filled with delicious food, uplifting music, and exciting prizes! To ensure we have a seat saved just for you, please RSVP by Monday, March 17th by clicking the button below.

We can't wait to honor and celebrate all that God has done through you.

Thank you for being the hands and feet of Christ!

Youth Upcoming Events

Sunday School

10:45-11:30am

(LSA Middle School Building)

Upcoming CMCA Events

Sunday, March 16

Worship (9:30am) - LSA

Confirmation Class and Sunday School Classes (10:45am) - LSA

"The Glory of Easter" Concert (3pm) - LSA

Monday, March 17

Deadline for Volunteer Appreciation Dinner

Tuesday, March 18

Women's Bible Study - Revelation (9:30am) - Greystone

Wednesday, March 19

Women's Bible Study (6:30pm) - Greystone

Thursday, March 20

Men's Bible Study (6:45am) - Auburn Chamber

Sunday, March 23

Worship (9:30am) - LSA

Confirmation Class and Sunday School Classes (10:45am) - LSA

Volunteer Appreciation Dinner (5pm) - Greystone

Tuesday, March 25

Women's Bible Study - Revelation (9:30am) - Greystone

Missions Team Meeting (6pm) - Greystone

Wednesday, March 26

Women's Bible Study (6:30pm) - Greystone

Thursday, March 27

Men's Bible Study (6:45am) - Auburn Chamber

Friday, March 28 - Saturday, March 29

Confirmation Retreat - Alabama 4-H Center, Columbiana

Sunday, March 30

Worship (9:30am) - LSA

Sunday School Classes (10:45am) - LSA

No Confirmation Class

Join the Assembly of Bishops of the Global Methodist Church for a concise yet powerful lesson on Scriptural Holiness—the heart of our faith and mission.

CMCA Winter Bible Studies

In addition, the J.O.Y. Bible study for women that previously met at Greystone on Mondays, is now meeting at Parkway Baptist Church at 9:30am on Mondays. They are studying Sandra Richter’s book, The Epic of Eden - Deborah: Unlikely Heroes and the Book of Judges.

Welcome New CMCA Members!

Milton Johnson and Kay Allen

Milton is from Mississippi and played Football at Mississippi State. He worked for NASA in Huntsville, then moved to Mississippi to operate his own hardware businesses until retirement. He has two children and two grandchildren. Kay grew up in Auburn. She has lived in Birmingham, Huntsville, Seagrove Beach, Florida, and now Opelika. She has two children, five grandchildren, and 4 great-grandsons.

Sylvia Chirakas-Dorsey

Sylvia is a retired schoolteacher and lived in Ohio until 2017, when she came to Auburn to 'Granny Nanny' her grandchildren. She works part time at Sonshine Preschool. She is excited to join her family members at Christ Methodist. 

Children's Choirs

We have choral musical opportunities for children from age 3 - 6th grade as well as handchimes for grades 4 - 6. Children grow in their faith, their God-given musical gifts, and relationships with each other through their choir participation. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays from 3:45 - 4:15 for Cherub Choir (ages 3 - Kindergarten), Genesis Children's Choir (grades 1 - 6) from 4:30 - 5:15, and for Handchimes (grades 4-6) from 5:15 - 6:00pm. Join us! 

• Cherub Choir (Ages 3 - Kindergarten) 3:45-4:15pm
• Genesis Children's Choir (1st - 6th Grades) 4:30-5:15pm
• Handchime Choir (Grades 4th - 6th) 5:15-6:00pm

Join the Christ Methodist Chorale for the Glory of Easter Concert, Sunday at 3:00

Join us as we are preparing a very special Glory of Easter concert on March 16 with two amazing guest musicians: composer and conductor Dan Goeller and also pianist Ian Mulder. With Mr. Goeller, we'll be presenting his iconic and moving collection In His Own Words which explores the many "I Am" phrases of Christ including "I Am the Light," "I Am the Resurrection," etc... as well as his arrangement of God So Loved the World considered by many to be one of the most beautiful arrangements of this text ever composed. This year marks the 20th anniversary of this work's composition.

Also joining us will be the amazing pianist, Ian Mulder, for the world premiere of a moving musical collection combining beloved hymns of the faith with iconic and beloved orchestral music by Sibelius, Beethoven, Faure, and many other beloved composers. This will be a moving experience for singers as well as the congregation. Joining us will be singers from many other churches. Don't miss this amazing musical journey as we enter the Lenten and Easter Season. 

For more information, contact our Director of Worship and Arts, Gary Klarenbeek, at gary@christmethodistauburn.com.

Welcome our New Pianist, Phillip Preston!

The staff-parish relations committee is pleased to announce the hiring of Phillip Preston as our Pianist. Phillip is Executive Director of The Arts Association of East Alabama, and is responsible for booking and managing the Performance Series concert events at Opelika Center for the Performing Arts. He has also served as staff accompanist during a tenure of 44 years at First Baptist Church Opelika. Phillip holds two piano performance degrees from Auburn University and the University of Texas, Austin. He and his wife, Connie, are residents of Opelika’s Geneva Street Historic District, where they reared their three children. Anna is an Early Childhood Music Education Specialist at Haddonfield Friends School in New Jersey; Amy is an Assistant Professor in Social Work at George Mason University in the D.C. area; and Andrew is a Senior Logistics Manager at Fort Novosel near Dothan. Of course, and without question, Phillip and Connie’s grandchildren, Amelie, George, Taylor, and Barrett, are amongst the most exceptionally brilliant and extraordinarily talented children anywhere. Just ask them!

Easter Floral Arrangements

Join us in celebrating the joy of Easter at Christ Methodist Church! The gymnasium at Lee-Scott will be transformed into a cathedral filled with the splendor of spring flowers, beautifully arranged by Stanley Sistrunk of The Flower Store. You have the opportunity to honor someone special or remember a loved one through your contribution. A special booklet of gratitude will list all those being honored and remembered. After the worship service and photographs are taken, contributors are welcome to take home a selection of the flowers to enjoy. Each order will be $30 and will be billed by The Flower Store. Order forms will be available on Sunday, March 23rd.

As we give from the heart, we sow seeds into God's kingdom. Galatians 6:9 encourages us, "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up." Our giving will bring a harvest of blessings beyond what we can imagine.

If you have not received your 2024 Financial Giving Statement,

please contact the church office at 334-209-0074.

Congregational Care

As a caring community of believers, we commit the names listed below

for your prayers and expressions of love and care:

CMCA Family:

Pam Baker, Zack Bumpus, Jim Carroll, Gene and Rita Chandler, Henry Cobb, Sandra Fisher, Harry Gill, Sherry Guenther, Kay Guthrie, Cheri Hart, Kathy Harte, Donna Kelly, Dianne Kroncke, Pam Lamar, Bess and Neil Lord, Ned Luce, Kay McCartney, Lynn Parker, Ron Patterson, Caleb Pipes, Ruth Register, Keith Ryland, Becky Speigner, John and Connie Staton, Sherwood and Betty Thomas, Rita Tuck, Gary Webb, Bill Wilkinson, Ann and Chuck Williams, and Kay Yeager

Extended Friends and Family:

Jeff, son of Winsley and Linda Bates; Mother of Linda Bates; Max Bush, Craig and Lisa Leonard's grandson; Ryan Chism; Son of Marcita and Tom Cooper; April Coulter; Hudson Early, Sandra Fisher's great-grandson; Tad Gidcomb, Ann Thompson's nephew; Fred Lacy; Kitty Mayo, friend of Betty Mann; Elizabeth and Jason Moore, Butch Foster's daughter and son-in-law; Mary Frances Murray, Alicia Conn's mother; Lisa Norrell, friend of Janet Wilson; Dan Pope, Dannelle Fogal's father; Ray Porterfield, Nancy Flurry's son; Chris Sramek; Richard and Joyce Stanyard, Larry Stanyard's father and mother; Lydia Steadham, relative of Judith Gibson; Jackie Thomas, mother of Melinda Phillips; Sheila Tidwell, sister of Wanda Ptomey; Tina Videtto, niece of Frankie and Tommy Stone; Family of Chad Wilbanks; Brent Wilson, Craig and Lisa Leonard's friend; Chuck Dupree, Beverly Webster, and Martha Cauthen, friends of Sue Daniel

If you have additional prayer requests or other needs, please send to:

prayer@christmethodistauburn.com

Connect with us!

www.christmethodistauburn.com