Join us for “Wednesdays on the Way,” a weekly, walking book study for the season of Lent.

First, purchase a copy of the book Backyard Pilgrim by Matt Canlis and commit to reading it one day at a time.

(You may find it helpful to watch the short documentary film Godspeed first, which you can do by clicking here. This came before the book and will help you get the bigger picture.)

Then, join us on Wednesdays at 12:00pm during Lent (2/17-3/31) to walk the Jackson County Greenway. We will discuss each week's reading while we walk. Wear your mask, move your body, celebrate creation, and connect with your church family. Here is the schedule:

2/17 - Week 1 - What Kind Of Parent Is God?
2/24 - Week 2 - What Makes Kids Flourish?
3/3 - Week 3 - What Do Fearful Children Do?
3/10 - Week 4 - Who Began To Risk Being Found?
3/17 - Week 5 - Where Was Jesus Found For Us?
3/24 - Week 6 - What Has Jesus Done For Us?
3/31 - Week 7 - What Is Jesus Doing For Us Now?

Cancellations due to weather or other circumstances will be announced in our weekly church email. When in doubt, call or email the church office.

We hope you’ll join us as we walk the way of Christ in this very special season.

Today is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the season of Lent. If you didn’t grow up with Lent (and I know many of you didn’t, myself included), here’s a bit of background. The word “Lent” comes from the Old English word for “springtime.” It refers to the length of time before Easter, traditionally forty days, when the Church prepares to commemorate Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Just as Advent helps us prepare spiritually for Christmas, Lent helps us prepare spiritually for Holy Week and Easter.

You may be asking, Do I have to observe Lent? The first answer is, Of course not. But the second answer is, Why wouldn’t you? This season is a gift to us in which we may pause and reflect on our lives in light of Jesus Christ. So, I encourage you to observe it this year. Typically folks use this time as a chance to give something up: certain foods, certain media, certain habits. In recent years it’s become popular to take something on: daily prayer, for instance, or journaling and letter-writing. Regardless, the goal isn’t self-promotion (pride) but self-effacement (humility). What will help you humble yourself over the next forty days, so that you can see Jesus more clearly? Whatever the answer is… do it.

For a special focus during this Lenten season, several of us here at First Presbyterian Church are watching and discussing the short film Godspeed. Click here to watch the film, and then explore their website for additional resources.

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