FROM THE
PASTOR'S DESK
On Ash Wednesday, March 2, 2022, we began the Lenten Season. For Christians, it is a time to focus on prayer, fasting, and giving. It is a time of repentance, of self-denial and self-sacrifice. It is a time when we look inward to see the condition of our own hearts and to reflect.
The forty days of Lent represent the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of the devil, and preparing to begin his ministry. For us as individuals and as a Christian community, Lent is a time of preparation - not only for Easter, but for what God may be calling us to do next in our lives.
With the war in Ukraine, the ongoing pandemic, and our current state of political divide, we find ourselves caught up in a world of chaos and turmoil- a world of madness. With higher gas prices, rising food cost and more, there is this sense of unease all around us. We are plagued by a sense of fear of the unknown, and uncertainty as to how we will get through this difficult time.
Yet if we turn our eyes toward Jesus and focus on the ways of holy love and life which our Lord models for us, we will find the hope and the strength to get through it, and we will overcome the darkness and evil that is in this broken world.
When we lift up our prayers uniting our hearts as one, praying together in His name, our prayers are magnified. For prayer is the most powerful thing that we can do. And in doing so, communally, we are strengthened by each other, supported by each other, and can face whatever test lie before us.
Likewise, the help we individually provide is magnified when we unite and work together. During this Lenten season, let us not hold back on our giving out for fear of not having, but let us joyfully give out of the abundance of God's love. And this year, we are calling upon each of you to dig a little deeper and to give a bit more of yourselves.
This Lenten Season, we will contribute to 100 Nights Shelter as we have done so in previous years.
We will raise funds for the Food Pantry and offer non-perishable donations as well.
But let us dig a bit deeper to support the humanitarian crisis unfolding due to the war in Ukraine.
During this season of Lent, we will be collecting and sending financial support to UMCOR who has boots on the ground. Please help to support the refugees fleeing from war into western Europe. Please join with us in this effort of love and support.
Gifts to support the people of Ukraine can be made in the following ways:
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By toll-free telephone: 888-252-6174
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By check made out to Global Ministries/UMCOR with “Advance #982450-Ukraine” written on the memo line, either mailed and addressed to Global Ministries/UMCOR, GPO, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY, 10087-9068 or given at or through any United Methodist church
One hundred percent of all Advance contributions go to the designated cause.
Thank you for your generosity, your prayers and your love of neighbor.
Peace & Blessings,
Pastor Sharon
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