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Dear sisters in Christ,
Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday. I love this season of Lent. In the craziness of life it is a season to slow down and reflect. It’s primary purpose is for repentance and confession. The only true source of repentance is God Himself. Romans 2:4 reminds us that it is God’s kindness that leads us to repentance. In God’s pursuit of us and in His desire to be in relationship with us, He offers us a gift that no one else can give – repentance that leads to restoration with Him. What a God!
In a time of prayer last week I was led into a time of confession and repentance. I try to make it a regular part of my devotional time but on this particular occasion God brought me to an extended time of repentance. I was reflecting on Hebrews 12:1-2. (Some of you know my secret hope is that Hebrews was written by a woman. That will have to wait for eternity, but I live in hope! J) Anyway, this passage reads like this:
“Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” I think this would be a great passage to focus on this Lenten season. I don’t know about you but I have a fair amount of sin clinging to me and the weight I carry is not just around my waist! But when my focus is on Jesus, my crucified Savior and Friend, I am led to lay aside this garbage and press on in the race before me. I shared with the staff last week that I have spent the first 50 years of my life running sprints. I have been moving fast and furious. But I sense God calling me to live these next 50 years as a marathon, running with endurance. I’m not sure just what that looks like but I’m serious about the Spirit of God readjusting my pace. My hope is that God will use this Lenten season to begin that process.
As you participate in our Ash Wednesday services, tomorrow at 11, 5 and 7 PM, I trust as you receive the ashes on your forehead that you will remember the price Christ paid that you might be brought to repentance and know God’s kindness to you and His great love for you. Each Wednesday during Lent there will be a brief worship service at 11 and 7. I know you will be blessed as you come together with the body of Christ at Central to worship the founder and perfecter of our faith.
I know many of you are reading The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns. If you haven’t picked up a copy yet we just ordered a bunch more and they are available at worship. This book has the potential to change your life by the power of God’s Spirit. You’ll be hearing lots about it during the upcoming weeks. I want to share with you a request that really ties into the heart of this book. This comes to you from two sisters, Maggie Parish and Sandy Breed. Please consider participating as God leads you.
The week for Central to host homeless families is coming up quickly! We will be open to shelter them the week of 2/21. We still need volunteers, and what a great place to start reaching out to our neighbors in need. Here are some specific needs we have.
Volunteers to drive children to school, or adults to work, or just to the next church. Some families may not have cars and we want to take care of their transportation. This would be an "on call" position. If you like to connect and drive this could be a great opportunity!
We need help setting up and taking down each Sunday. On 2/21 we will set up between 12 and 1. It won't take long and is simple work.
On Sunday 2/28 we will take down between 9 and 10. Quick and simple.
We need 1 person to help with breakfasts on the following days.
Monday 2/22, Thursday 2/25, Friday 2/26, Sunday 2/28
We need 2 to 3 people to help with evening meals on the following days.
Monday 2/22, Thursday 2/25, Saturday 2/27
We need evening hosts, folks to just visit with the families on the following days and shifts.
Sunday 4:00 to 7:00
Tuesday 7:00 to 10:00
Wednesday 4:00 to 7:00 and 7:00 to 10:00
Thursday 4:00 to 7:00 and 7:00 to 10:00
Sat. 4:00 to 7:00
Please let Sandy Breed or Maggie Parish know if you can help!
dalesandyb@aol.com, mparish2003@gmail.com
763-398-9874 612-810-5607
We will be training the volunteers on Sunday 2/21 at 1:00
Thanks, Sandy and Maggie, for your persistence in this ministry. I look forward to how God is going to use this for His Kingdom purposes. Blessings to all of you during this Lenten season. God’s grace and peace-
Sonja Dixon |
