Blessings on you, people of Kearney First UMC!

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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.

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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: 

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• 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 

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Peace and love, Matt Fowler