Lent | Community

This series, allows the Gospel of Luke to guide us through Lent. Beginning with Jesus setting his face toward Jerusalem (Luke 9:51), the series flows through several familiar stories—the Good Samaritan, Mary and Martha, the fruitless fig tree, the Lost Sheep, Zaccheus, and more. Many of these stories are well-known in both sacred and secular imagination, carrying cultural relevance and lore. For example, have you ever identified yourself as either a “Mary” or a “Martha?” The “Good Samaritan” title alone could reference a hospital, a charitable organization, a type of law, or a good deed. Perhaps you grew up singing “Zaccheus was a wee little man” in Sunday School. So many of these scriptures hold significance in pop culture, church history, politics, and everything in between.

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Wednesday, March 5th
7:00pm
Ash Wednesday

Intention & Action
Luke 9:51-62
(Jesus sets out for Jerusalem)
The “would-be followers” (as the NRSVUE calls them) have good intentions. They want to follow Jesus, but Jesus calls them to put their money where their mouths are. Somewhere between good intentions and impulsive action lies discipleship. On Ash Wednesday, we make a commitment to align our intentions and our actions.

Sunday, March 9th
9:30am
The First Sunday in Lent

Stranger & Neighbor
Luke 10:25-37
(Parable of the Good Samaritan)
This parable begins and ends with the question, “Who is my neighbor?” and the answer is, surprisingly, “the stranger.” The Samaritan, whose place of worship and customs are different from the scribe who questions Jesus, is both a stranger and a neighbor to the man who was beaten and left in a ditch. In our world, many of our physical neighbors are strangers to us, and many of our neighbors—those closest to us—feel like strangers in divisive political climates. If we align our intentions and actions, then maybe we need to reconsider who we consider “stranger,” and ask ourselves if we have acted as good neighbors.

Sunday, March 16th
9:30am
The Second Sunday in Lent

Faith & Works
Luke 10:38-42
(Mary & Martha host Jesus)
In many translations, Jesus says that “Mary has chosen the better part,” which has been used to create a divide between Mary and Martha. However, in the Greek, Mary has chosen the “good portion,” and Martha’s tasks are called “ministry.” Therefore, perhaps Mary represents our faith, our desire to know God intimately, and Martha represents our good works, our desire to transform the world. Both are needed, and both are good.

Sunday, March 23rd
9:30am
The Third Sunday in Lent

Rest & Growth
Luke 13:6-9
(Parable of the fig tree)
The gardener in the vineyard knows the fig tree needs rest, nutrients, and time—and it also needs to produce fruit. Both things are true, which is also true for us. If we are always striving for more growth without taking time to rest, we will burn out. But if we are only ever resting, we won’t bear fruit or grow. The fig tree also teaches us that the in between time—of nurture before fruit—can be where transformation begins.

Sunday, March 30th
9:30am
The Fourth Sunday in Lent

Lost & Found
Luke 15:1-7
(Parable of the Lost Sheep)
Herding sheep is a never-ending task. As soon as one is found, another may go missing. Our lives have a similar ebb and flow—in one moment we might feel like we have it all together, and in the next, we’re struggling to survive. The promise of this parable is that no matter how “lost” we feel, the Good shepherd is by our side.

Sunday, April 6th
9:30am
The Fifth Sunday in Lent

Righteousness & Mercy
Luke 19:1-10
(Zacchaeus greets Jesus)
The crowds grumble at Jesus’ self-invitation to stay with Zacchaeus, and their righteous indignation isn’t without cause. As a tax collector, Zacchaeus has extorted money and acted in collusion with the empire, using his position to oppress his own people. It is important to call out oppression, and yet, Jesus offers mercy. That mercy then begets more mercy as Zacchaeus, unprompted, offers to return what he took, and then some.

Sunday, April 13th
9:30am
Palm Sunday
Cantata Sunday

Shouting & Silence
Luke 19:29-40
(Jesus enters Jerusalem)
Jesus doesn’t instigate his own parade. Instead, just his quiet presence alone inspires the multitude to shout out and praise God. When the religious leaders try to silence the crowd, Jesus tells them that the noise level isn’t the point—even the stones would cry out if they were silent. It takes wisdom to know when our voice is needed and when it’s just noise.

Thursday, April 17th
7:00pm
Maundy Thursday
Communion

Power & Humility
Luke 22:1-27
(Last Supper)
In his final hours, Jesus redefines power through acts of humility, including sharing a final meal with his closest friends and those who will soon betray him. After breaking bread, the disciples argue about who is the greatest, but Jesus tells them that the greatest must be the least and the leader must be the servant, turning their hierarchy on its head. According to Jesus, humility is powerful, and real power is shown through humility.

Friday, April 18th
12:00pm
Good Friday

Acceptance & Resistance
Luke 23:32-49
(Jesus dies alongside a penitent thief)
As Jesus dies on the cross, one thief resists him and the other accepts him as Messiah. Jesus resists the empire but accepts his fate. We also are called to resist systems of power and oppression, and yet we ultimately have to accept that Jesus dies—and one day we will too. We have to discern what to accept as given and what to resist, what is “God’s will” and what is the result of our own unquestioned systems.

Sunday, April 20th
9:30am
Easter Sunday

Grief & Hope
Luke 24:1-12
(The women grieve and Peter runs to the tomb) Grief is a healthy response to Jesus’ death and a valid way to enter worship on Easter morning. And yet, the women at the empty tomb are given hope amidst their mourning. The other disciples don’t believe the women’s message, but Peter, living in the in-between of grief and hope, runs to the tomb to see for himself. Grieving doesn’t have to make us hopeless. Hope can compel us to take action when we are deep in grief.

On Palm Sunday (April 13th), the CUMC Festival Choir will present a special music service exploring the space between shouting and silence. And, as we enter Holy Week, we will work to bring all of ourselves—our praise, our reverence, our grief, and everything in between—to the work of holy remembrance and action. What will we shout? What will we silence?

All Community members are invited to join! Practice tracks will be provided. Rehearsals include:

Wednesday, March 19 (7:30 pm-8:45 pm, Choir Room)
Wednesday, March 26 (7:30 pm-8:45 pm, Choir Room)
Wednesday, April 2 (7:30 pm-8:45 pm, Choir Room)
Wednesday, April 9 (7:30 pm-8:45 pm, Sanctuary)
Saturday, April 12 (9:00 am-11:30 am, Sanctuary)

Reach out to Danielle Bridges (danielle.bridges@cumceg.org) if you're interested in singing!

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“The CYCLE OF GRACE” by Trevor Hudson & Jerry Haas

Are you soul weary? Do you struggle to make time for God in the midst of a packed schedule? Or do you sometimes stay so busy “doing things for God” that you cannot relax and just “be”? Jesus faced amazing pressure and overwhelming demands throughout his ministry, but he did not experience the burnout so common among many Christians today. You can learn the rhythm of living that Jesus demonstrates

– the Cycle of Grace – throughout the Gospels.

The Cycle of Grace examines the 4 components of a grace-filled life:

Acceptance

Sustenance

Significance

Fruitfulness.

This 6-week study will combine reading, journalling, videos, and discussion with personal reflection time and virtual “check-ins” and may just change your life for the better …

CLASS MEETINGS: Sunday mornings (10:45am - Noon) in Fellowship Hall

Weekly Study Dates and Topics:

1st Week - Mar 9 * Welcome & Program Kick-off *

2nd Week - Mar 16 CH 1 - Burnout, Jesus, & Grace

3rd Week - Mar 23 CH 2 - Sustaining Grace

4th Week - Mar 30 CH 3 - You are a Sign

5th Week - Apr 6 CH 4 - Fruitfulness & Cycle of Works

6th Week - Apr 13CH 5 - A Grace-filled Way to Live

7th Week - Apr 20 * * EASTER Sunday * *

8th Week - Apr 27 CH 6 - Congregational Vitality & Cycle of Grace

These sessions require a personal commitment to completing the readings, spending regular time in Prayer and Reflection and participating in the Group sessions.

Printable Handout

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Printable Order Form

All Flowers are $15.00

Choose from

White Easter Lilly

Yellow Daffodil

Assorted Colors - Hyacinth

Pink to Purples - Regal Geranium

Tulips (Pinks & Purples)

Tulips (Assorted Colors)

A donation of any amount in lieu of flowers to Walker’s Point Youth & Family Center

Pay for your flowers online Using Vanco!

1. Send in your order form by Calling the Church Office, Mailing an order form, put an order form in the offering plate, or make notes in your Vanco purchase.

2. Head over to Vanco and pay for your Easter Flowers

3. Chriss will send you an email confirmation when both payment and order are received!

Wednesday, March 5th 7:00pm Ash Wednesday

Wednesday, March 5th
7:00pm
Ash Wednesday