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Various Journey Through Lent Various |
2014, 2015 & 2016 |
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Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2014, February 18, 2015, February 10, 2016, March 1, 2017, March 6, 2019, February 26, 2020, February 17, 2021, March 2, 2022, February 22, 2023 & February 14, 2024 by unknown author |
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Scripture: Genesis 3:19b (NIV) – “for dust you are and to dust you will return.” Message: Ash Wednesday, announces the beginning of Lent and summons us to remember Jesus' journey to the cross and resurrection. It is called Ash Wednesday, because ashes were used in ancient times to express mourning. Dusting oneself with ashes was the penitent's way of expressing sorrow for sins and faults. This day invites reflection, repentance, re-dedication and marks the beginning of forty days of study, self-examination, sacrifice and prayer. In apostolic times, a period of preparation and fasting was observed before the festival of Easter which was also used as a time of Baptism. However, the formalization of the forty days of Lent was not instituted until the First Council of Nicea in 325 AD. In the early centuries fasting rules were strict, as they still are in the Eastern Orthodox Church. One meal a day was allowed in the evening, and meat, fish, eggs, and butter were forbidden; some also restricted the use of wine, oil, and other dairy products. In the West fasting rules have gradually been relaxed; the strict law of fasting in the UK Roman Catholic Church ceased during World War II. Today, Ash Wednesday, and Good Friday, are observed as fast days in many Christian traditions. The emphasis on penitential practice and almsgiving remains, as well as a focus on self-control, with many Christians choosing to give up specific pleasures during Lent as a reminder to refocus on spiritual matters. The Methodist church, where we worshipped in the UK, is part of the first UK ecumenical circuit embracing Methodist, Anglican (Episcopalian) and United Reform (Presbyterian and Congregational) churches. During Lent congregants are encouraged to join a weekly ecumenical home group study with a common theme, to gain a wider perspective from other Christians. Join Asbury Christians as we celebrate Christ’s life and be blessed as you journey through Lent with these powerful and uplifting devotionals, inspired and written by members and friends of Asbury United Methodist Church. Prayer: Father, Comforter, Creator, be with me as I enter this Holy Season and help me on my journey through Lent to prepare my heart, mind and body for the true meaning of Holy Week and the glory of the Risen Christ at Easter. Amen. Unknown source however used for all first Lenten devotionals except 2018 1. Original text. Some later versions were revised slightly. |
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Sunday, November 30, 2014, Sunday, November 29, 2015 & Sunday, November 27, 2016 - First Sunday, In Advent by unknown Author |
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Scripture: Isaiah 7:14 - "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." Message: Advent means coming, as in Christ is coming, and refers to His birth in history. It means to welcome a special king and for us, it is our King of Kings. This verse in Isaiah foretells Jesus' Incarnation, the Word made flesh for our hope and salvation. This special season in the church calendar represents our expectation, anticipation, and preparation for who Christ is and what He has done for us. He arrived into the world as fully God and fully man. He came to identify as one of us, as the Son of Man, as a baby born in a manger. He came for us, He came for you and He comes into our lives and into our hearts. He is coming again in great power and glory to bring His Kingdom into fruition. Prayer: O God, we come rejoicing as we remember the promise of your Son. As we light these candles, may the blessing of Christ come upon us, brightening our way and guiding us by His truth. May Christ our Savior bring light into the darkness of our world, and to us, as we wait for His coming. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. No Author Listed |
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