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Image by Greg Rosenke

Lent at Kearney First UMC

A letter from the pastors, worship calendar with scriptures, and the Lenten Mailer

Blessings on you, people of Kearney First UMC!

The Season of Lent is upon Us.

 

This year, Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day coincide (Feb. 14). This coincidence introduces an interesting, yet profoundly fitting, conjunction of images: flowers, candy, and professions of love alongside ashes and repentance. Both Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday are about communicating commitments of love and devotion to a beloved.  

Thinking about communicating devotion, this Lent we’ll focus on the practice of prayer. Prayer is a way we talk and listen to God – both offering ourselves to God’s presence and work and receiving grace from God. This missional mailer includes multiple ways to participate in the life of the church this season. Lent is a season to invite God to stretch us, grow us, and transform us through mindful practices.  

 

The pastors will host two different groups during Lent: 

1) a study group on prayer with Pastor Matt; Thursdays at noon in the Heritage Room February 15-March 21; 

2) an evening prayer group with Pastor Seungli via Zoom; Tuesdays 8:30PM February 20-March 26.

In worship, we’ll explore prayer through the Gospel of Luke. We invite you to read the Gospel of Luke in its entirety this season. Additionally, each week will introduce a particular way of praying. Here are each week’s titles, scriptures, and suggested prayer practices: 

  • February 14 - Ash Wednesday – Teach us to Pray – Ps 51 

  • February 18 – Praying Scripture – Luke 4:1-13 

    • Memorize a scripture verse that speaks to the hope or courage you need.  

    • Make a scripture verse or passage into a prayer.  

  • February 25 – Lord, Teach Us to Pray – Luke 11:1-13 

    • Pray the Lord’s Prayer every day. Consider learning it in another language useful to you.  

    • Journal the Lord’s Prayer, expanding each phrase with your own words, prayers, questions, and desires. 

  • March 3 – Giving Thanks – Luke 22:14-20 

    • Make an intentional effort to mindfully pray at table. What are you praying for? Why? What is God’s role in the food and that meal?  

    • Memorize a new table prayer, or write one for yourself and others to share.  

    • Consider your stewardship: how can giving be an act of prayer and praise? 

  • March 10 – In a Space Apart – Luke 6:1, 9:10-11, 9:28-36, 22:39-42 

    • If aloneness is a thing you appreciate, consider making a daily practice this week of praying in solitude. 

    • Create a space of time for prayer with others a few times this week, digitally, on the phone, or in person.  

  • March 17 – Surrender (Mount of Olives) – Luke 22:39-43, 23:46 

    • Make Jesus’s prayers here our prayers for each day this week.  

    • Pray the Wesleyan Covenant Prayer each day this week.  

  • March 24 – Praise (Palm-Passion Sunday) – Luke 19:29-40  

    • Take a prayer walk at least twice this week (or daily), pondering God with each step, and giving thanks to God for each little part of that experience.  

    • Walk the prayer labyrinth at Yanney Park as many times as you can.

  • March 29 - Maundy Thursday 

    • Exodus 12:1-4, (5-10), 11-14 

    • Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 

    • 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 

    • John 13:1-17, 31b-35

  • March 30 - Good Friday

    • Isaiah 52:13-53:12 

    • Psalm 22 

    • Hebrews 10:16-25 or Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9 

    • John 18:1-19:42 

Peace and love, Matt Fowler

Pastors Letter
Lent Events
Image by Greg Rosenke

Worship Calendar & Scriptures | Events

Worship Calendar & Scriptures

Ash Wednesday February 14 - 6:30 PM service
First Sunday of Lent - 2/18 
Luke 4:1-13
Second Sunday of Lent - 2/25
Luke 11:1-13
Third Sunday of Lent - 3/3 Luke 22:14-20
Fourth Sunday of Lent - 3/10 Luke 6:1, 9:10-11, 9:28-36, 22:39-42 
Fifth Sunday of Lent - 3/17 Luke 22:39-43, 23:46 
Palm Sunday - 3/24 Luke 19:29-40
Maundy Thursday - 3/28 - 6:30 PM service

  • Exodus 12:1-4, (5-10), 11-14 

  • Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 

  • 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 

  • John 13:1-17, 31b-35

Good Friday - 3/29 - 6:30 PM service

  • Isaiah 52:13-53:12 

  • Psalm 22 

  • Hebrews 10:16-25 or Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9 

  • John 18:1-19:42 

Easter Sunday - 3/31 - 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM & 11:00 AM services 

  • John 20:1-8

  • Mark 16:1-18

  • 1 Corinthians 15:54-55

Lenten Events

Pastor Matt's Prayer Study - Thursdays at Noon starting February 15

Pastor Seungli's Prayer Group - Tuesday Nights on Zoom at 8:30 PM starting February 20

Easter Egg Hunt - Sunday, March 31 - In-between and after the 9:30 and 11am services

Image by Greg Rosenke

Lenten Missional Offerings

Lenten Missional Offering

Growth in our relationship with God is God’s primary way of blessing others and transforming the world. As we focus on our relationship with God through our practices, during this season, we have a tradition of also focusing on where our gifts and abilities can intersect with the deep needs of those in our community. To this end, the Finance Committee of Kearney First invites us to practice generosity through missional giving through the church, over and above our regular giving to Christ’s mission through Kearney First UMC.

 

 

Please prayerfully consider giving to one or more of these missional ministries through this season’s missional offering. You can give online through the website or the mobile app. You may designate your missional giving to a particular ministry. Undesignated gifts will be distributed to each of the missional partners, which are described below.

Youth Ministry goal of $2,500:

Will provide funding for mission trips for the middle school and high school youth.

 

 

Collage goal of $2,500:

This agency offers care and support to men and women who are facing unexpected

challenges associated with pregnancy and STDs.

 

Compass goal of $2,500:

This agency provides support, training, and financial assistance to foster families.

 

 

East Lawn Food Pantry goal of $2,500:

A mission within the church that provides food to those in need in Buffalo County.

 

 

Thank you for your generosity!

Image by Greg Rosenke

Lenten Mailer

Click the button below to download a copy of our Lenten Mailer and be sure to check out our events page for more information on all our Lenten Events!

Lenten Mailer (Coming Soon)
Lent Mail
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