For Sundays in Lent, we will focus on key words that come from the Cross of Jesus. Each Sunday, we will ponder a passage from the New Testament letters of St. Paul or St. Peter, as they write about the many facets of what the Cross means. We will pair these passage from the epistles with a dramatic presentation from one of the Gospels about someone who is one of the players at Jesus’ crucifixion. The series will be called “Cross Words.” We will be looking for the connections between the New Testament teachings about the Cross and the lives we live in this ever-changing 21st century world. These words are not esoteric concepts but powerful real-life experiences, like suffering, forgiveness, humility, hope, power, and peace.

We have persuaded our resident crossword aficionado, Dr. Dana Richards, to create a special crossword puzzle, in the form of a cross. Each week, the crossword puzzle will be on the bulletin cover, with an appropriate clue for the highlighted word for that week.

Holy Week is the eventful final week of Lent, which will not come until April 17-24 this year. More details on Holy Week plans will come in April.

We will have several special mid-week Lenten studies, both for adults and children. One special opportunity will feature a book that examines the seven deadly sins through the adventures of James Bond. The book is called Ian Fleming’s Seven Deadlier Sins and 007’s Moral Compass, written by United Methodist pastoral counselor Ben Pratt. The author will be here at St. Stephen’s on Tuesday, March 14, at 7:30 p.m., to launch the study. The study will continue on Tuesday evenings throughout Lent. Another Tuesday evening study will examine creation care, also known as becoming a green church. On Thursday evenings, we will offer a Freed-Up study on Christian personal financial management. See below for further details on all these opportunities, and consider how you will observe a holy Lent this year.

Blessings,
Pastor Jeff