A Message from Pastor Gerald...

Seeking Wholeness

The Bible issues repeated calls to repentance and reconciliation. Reconciliation implies living in a right relationship with God and with other people. Repentance is more than feeling remorse about wrong behavior. It involves turning away from such behavior, making restitution if possible, and living a more God-centered life. The most common sign of repentance in the
Bible involves the use of ashes.

The 40 days (not counting Sundays) before Easter are a season to focus on repentance and reconciliation. This is a season to reflect on sin and our own mortality in light of God’s redeeming love revealed in Jesus Christ. This season begins with Ash Wednesday, a day which focuses on the Biblical use of ashes as a sign people who are seeking greater wholeness in their lives.

Orange UMC will have an Ash Wednesday service on Wednesday, February 22 at 7 pm. This service will include an invitation for people to seek greater wholeness in their lives by committing to 3 spiritual disciplines for the 40 days of Lent.

FASTING – I invite you to join me in the Biblical discipline of fasting during the 40 days of Lent. Each Thursday night meal will be limited to bread and water. Each Friday morning breakfast will be limited to only liquids. The noon meal on Fridays will omit desserts. We will also be encouraged to make a special Lenten offering of $1 for each of the 3 meals each week. (If you have medical conditions which will interfere with this approach to fasting, then develop
your own approach which will not place you at risk.)

PRAYER – You are also invited to make a list of 3-5 people who are currently not attending church. Pray for these individuals each day during Lent. The week before Easter, you will be asked to invite those individuals to be your guest at two services: (1) A Good Friday service on
April 6 at 7 pm, and (2) Our Easter service on Sunday, April 8.

WORSHIP – I invite you to commit to attending a worship service each Sunday during the Lenten season. The first priority is for you to attend worship at your church (Orange UMC). If you cannot be here on Sunday, then attend another church of your choosing.

These disciplines might lead to greater wholeness in your life.

Peace,
Gerald