Greetings Friends,
February 13th marks the beginning of Lent, the 40 days leading up to Easter. Did you know…
…that Lent is historically a time of prayer and fasting to prepare for the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus
…that Lent is 40 days long, not including Sundays (which are all little Easters)
…that Lent’s 40 days are like Moses’ journey at Mount Sinai, Jonah’s call to Ninevah and Jesus’ testing in the wilderness
…that in the early church Lent focused on preparing for baptism at the Easter Vigil (which lasted Saturday all-night through to Sunday morning).
What is God doing among us here at Briarwood this Lent? In which ways is God inviting us to prepare for Easter? One answer comes from asking where we need the power of the resurrected and risen Jesus most. Where is God calling you and us as a church to live in the power of the risen Jesus? During Lent we confess that we are a lot like dust, ash. Fairly moveable when life comes at in with challenge. But we also confess that our lives don’t end with ourselves. We confess that we are broken-but-being-healed creatures of the living God, alive in the life of Christ.
To mark the beginning of Lent this year there will be the annual start to the Lenten lunches at Christ Church (Briarwood serves Feb. 13th).
Later that evening at 7:30 p.m., February 13th, there will be a special worship service of prayer, confession, the imposition of ashes and Holy Communion.
You’ll from this newsletter that there are many excellent events and opportunities this month. Including flyers from our Children and Youth Director, Danielle Pierre, for incredible Youth Group plans and a Kids March Break Camp.
Thank you to Jennifer Gibb for publishing this newsletter.
Finally, I wish to highlight the Blended Service, International Potluck and Annual General Meeting on February 17th, at 10:30 a.m. This is a chance to worship and enjoy a meal together as we pray and plan for where God is calling us in 2013.
With all good wishes,
Greg
rev. dr. greg davidson 