Day 8: Gracious God, guide us in self-examination. Help us recognize areas of our lives that need cleansing and transformation. Grant us the humility to surrender our shortcomings to you and the strength to strive for holiness. Amen.
2.18.24
Compassionate God, as we embark on this First Sunday in Lent, guide us through this sacred season, opening our hearts to the profound lessons of repentance, renewal, and a steadfast reliance on your boundless grace. Guide us in the footsteps of Jesus, who faced temptation in the wilderness and emerged victorious. May this day of worship inspire us to deepen our commitment to follow Christ and prepare our hearts for the joy of Easter. Amen.
2.16.24
This past Sunday was the conclusion of our series on the book of Jonah. The narrative’s powerful closing reminds us that God’s waiting grace is always ready to welcome us home despite our detours and disobedience. Jonah’s journey prompts self-reflection on our responses to God’s grace and our willingness to return when we veer off course.
Moving beyond Jonah’s story, we delve into a broader call to share God’s grace with everyone. The central message echoes that God’s enduring and universal grace extends to friends, family, neighbors, and even those of different faiths. The emphasis lies in embracing the transformative power of spreading this message and recognizing our role as vessels of God’s unmerited favor in our interactions.
As recipients of God’s grace, we are urged to actively extend the invitation to others. The call to action resonates strongly: become ambassadors of God’s grace in our communities and beyond. The closing questions challenge us to examine our inclusivity and confront misplaced anger, reminding us that God’s preferences lean towards grace over anger. The message encourages us to align our motives with God’s transformative love as we carry the lessons of Jonah’s journey into our daily lives.
Welcome to Lent 2024! Over the next 40 days, join us in a daily moment of reflection and prayer to guide you on your Lenten journey. Each prayer offers support, encouragement, and spiritual nourishment as we walk together through this sacred season. May these moments of contemplation deepen your connection with God and illuminate the path toward Easter’s joy and renewal.
In Christ!
Reverend Sela Finau
Ash Wednesday:
Day 1: Gracious God, as we begin this sacred journey of Lent, may we heed the call of your prophet Joel. Help us turn our hearts to You, embracing repentance and seeking your mercy. Let the ashes on our foreheads be a sign of our humility and a reminder of your boundless grace. Amen.
“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
Join us for worship this evening at 7:00 P.M. or at a church near you.