In our preaching and worship during Lent this year, we are going to focus on “focus.” We will be challenging ourselves, with God’s help, to take our eyes off of distractions and to fix our eyes on Jesus. If you choose to give something up for Lent, we suggest that you give up a distraction. If you need help knowing what distractions you are dealing with, consider these questions. You may even want to keep coming back to this list throughout the season of Lent:
• • • •
Where are you turning for comfort or joy hardship? What are your ultimate goals, hopes, and dreams?
What are you carrying that you should lay down at the cross? Is there a particular sin that you just can’t shake?
We will be asking God to lift our eyes from the distractions of this world and to fix our eyes only on Jesus. But let’s be honest here you will still experience distraction, doubt, fear and temptation. God knows that we will practice Lent imperfectly – and that we will fall short of this calling to fix our eyes on Jesus. This is the Good News – Lent leads us to the cross where Jesus died for our sin and our sinfulness. So let’s embrace the opportunity of this powerful season of Lent. Let’s allow the Holy Spirit to expose our distractions and to draw us closer to Jesus. Let’s remember our need for the Savior, and throw ourselves at the feet of Jesus when we fall short. As we enter into these 40 days, I pray that you will enter into it with prayer, and faithful expectation. In Christ, Aaron Thompson Minister for Teaching & Worship
THE SEASON OF LENT What is Lent? Lent is the six-weeks (40 days) from Ash Wednesday to Easter (not counting Sundays). Where did it come from? Lent is especially connected to the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert (Mark 1). In the history of the church, it was a season of preparation for those who were going to be baptized on Easter. Over time, the whole church began to embrace the 40 days of Lent as a time for preparing to remember Good Friday and to celebrate Easter. What do we do during Lent? Lent is a season of self-reflection, repentance, and dependence on Jesus, and is often a time when we “give things up” as a sacrifice to remind us of this reflection. Or we might give up a vice or habit as an act of repentance. In church, we give up the word “hallelujah” and hold back some of our usual celebration of Jesus’ victory, so that when Easter arrives, the joyousness of the day will be all the greater! Do I have to give something up for Lent? Fasting can become a distraction from the point of Lent. Instead of learning to trust in Jesus, it can lead to a lot of selfdiscipline and effort. It can actually take your eyes off of Jesus and place them on yourself. Lent is not a time for doubling down on self-discipline. It isn’t a time for diet programs, workout plans, and self-improvement. It’s not about what we can do to fix ourselves, but about recognizing how much we need Jesus to forgive our sin and to heal what is broken in us. It’s best to pray over this decision before you decide to give something up. Be sure that God is calling you to offer something up, and as you journey through Lent, don’t allow the practice to become a legalistic thing for you.
LENT & EASTER SCHEDULE:
Registration required R for in-person services. Find the schedule at ualc.org/Lent. Updates and worship online: ualc.org/worship
ASH WEDNESDAY | FEBRUARY 17
In-person R : 6:30am | Lytham Road In-person R : 6:30pm | Mill Run Ashes to Go: Outside, drive-up | 11am-1pm | Lytham Road & Mill Run Online: 6:30am | 6:30pm
LENTEN MIDWEEK
Online only | Facebook Live or ualc.org/live
HOLY WEEK
Maundy Thursday | April 1 R Lytham Road: 6:30pm | In-person and livestream Good Friday | April 2 R Lytham Road: 12pm | In-person and livestream 6pm | In-person 8pm | In-person
EASTER SUNDAY | APRIL 4
IN-PERSON
ONLINE
Mill Run | Modern: 9am, 11am Outdoors R
Sunrise Service 7am
Lytham Road | Traditional: 7am, 9am, 11am, 1pm Sanctuary R
Modern Service 9am, 11am Traditional Service 9am, 11am