The season of Lent starts on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 17) and ends on our Easter Sunday Celebration (April 4). During this time, we have many extra opportunities for worship, study, and devotion, both in groups and individually. Check out all our offerings here, and if you'd like to join in any of the Zoom meetings, please contact the church office for access.
Ash Wednesday - Feb. 17 at 7pm
You can watch the recording of our Ash Wednesday service at this link. This is a reflective service where we prepare for the devoted self-giving of the season of Lent, a time of letting go of things we do not need and taking on things that can draw us closer to God. Traditionally, we apply ashes to participants, but since that is not possible this year, we have pieces of burlap that have been marked with ash that you can pick up from the church whenever you are able (contact church office for pickup times).
We also know that power outages may effect your ability to join on Wednesday. The service will be recorded to our Facebook page for viewing at any time.
Likewise, we recorded the burning of the palm leaves to make the ashes for this service with some guided meditation. That video can be found here: Burning of Palms for Ash Wednesday 2021
Lent Study - Sundays from Feb. 21 - March 28, 1-2pm
Hymns are central to our Methodist tradition. John and Charles Wesley, the founders of the Methodist movement, wrote over 6,000 hymns in their ministry! It is clear they did so for many reasons, including the belief that hymns are a powerful way to guide worship - especially a more heartfelt form of congregational involvement the Wesleys wanted to promote - and because they are a great way to teach what we believe.
The hymns that the Wesleys wrote were packed full of theology, and if you look closely at the hymns in our hymnal, you will find many that are rich in sharing what we believe about God. This Lenten season, we will explore many of these hymns to see how they are guiding us to know and feel close to our God. Each meeting will take place on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. on Zoom. Please contact littlefield.patrick@gmail.com for Zoom access.
Dismantling Racism Lenten Devotions led by the Bishops of the United Methodist Church
This year, bishops from all across our denomination have prepared a lenten resource to help guide our efforts of dismantling racism. There is a video, notes, and journal for Ash Wednesday, each Wednesday until Easter, and every day in Holy Week. All can be accessed at this link: https://www.umc.org/en/content/dismantling-racism-lent-devotions-by-our-bishops
Modern Stations of the Cross - On your own time
Traditionally, the meditative tool called “stations of the cross” follows the steps Jesus took from being condemned to death to being buried in the tomb. It is well worth reflecting on the actual path Jesus took millennia ago, but we also know that God hurts when we hurt now. We believe that the suffering of Christ encompasses the suffering of our world even now. Every year we produce a meditative series of pictures from the past year to reflect on God’s presence in the suffering of humans and nature. You can view the modern stations of the cross virtually at this link: https://patricklittlefield.wordpress.com/2021/03/15/modern-stations-of-the-cross-2021/ Or you can schedule a time to view the print version at our church building.
Read the Gospel of Mark - On your own time, guide below
If you would like an individual activity to support your journey this Lent, consider reading through the Gospel of Mark (online version available here). We will be using readings from Mark on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, and you can easily read through the entire book before then. If you would like a guide to keep you on track, you can use this one:
Feb. 22-23: Chapter 1
Feb. 24-25: Chapter 2
Feb. 26-27: Chapter 3
Mar. 1-2: Chapter 4
Mar. 3-4: Chapter 5
Mar. 5-6: Chapter 6
Mar. 8-9: Chapter 7
Mar. 10-11: Chapter 8
Mar. 12-13: Chapter 9
Mar. 15-16: Chapter 10
Mar. 17-18: Chapter 11
Mar. 19-20: Chapter 12
Mar. 22-23: Chapter 13
Mar. 24-25: Chapter 14
March 26-27: Chapter 15
March 29-30: Chapter 16
Blood Drive - March 16, Noon-6pm
As we journey to Holy Week, we remember what Jesus did in giving life for all, and this year we have an opportunity to join in that work, by giving life to those in need through donating blood. You can sign up for a time-slot at this link, then scroll down to Lakewood United Methodist Church on March 16. If you would like to donate a different day, there are many other options at other local UMCs.
Holy Week - April 1 and 2
We will offer virtual services for Maundy Thursday (April 1) and Good Friday (April 2), on Facebook and Zoom. More information, including times, will be posted soon.
Easter Sunday - April 4, 10:30am
We will celebrate Easter Sunday in whatever ways are safe and will post more details here as we know what that will look like.