| So often, we prepare for Lent with guilty hearts, feeling
inadequate and focusing upon our troublesome shortcomings. However,
the real meaning of Lent is a springtime for our souls, a rebirth of hope
and discipleship. This year's 40 Day Lenten Journey invites
us to enter into a renewed relationship with Christ, that we may find him
day by day marking our lives with his generous presence and be transformed
as he takes shape in us. Our theme, "Marks of the Christian" is a
devotional study of Paul's Letter to the Romans, chapter 12 and is especially
helpful counsel for people experiencing unemployment, illness, losses,
and every kind of trouble, so that we have a mindset that will equip us
for the everyday challenges we face. Our study and meditation guide
is available for $8. (Scholarships are available.) Each Wednesday
at 7:30 PM, we are gathering for reflection, story-sharing and prayer in
the context of worship, as we consider the ways in which Christ's life
is taking shape in us and marking us for the Kingdom of God.
Join Us for the Journey and welcome the Marks of a Christian:
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Ash Wednesday |
Offering: Christ: Alive and in persons! Present our bodies
as living sacrifices! |
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Feb. 24: |
"Love." Love is Christ's gift! Openness to grace stretches
our hearts for loving. |
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Mar. 3: |
Seeking the Good: Can we see the good in the midst of our tears?
Joy in the morning! |
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Mar. 10: |
Hope: Will despair get the best of us? The joy of hope can come
from what we lack. |
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Mar. 17: |
Patience: Can one grow to have patience in the midst of trials?
Lay it at Jesus' feet! |
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Mar. 24: |
Hospitality: Where we find it and how sharing it brings us closer to
God. |
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Maundy Thursday,
Apr. 1: |
Communing with Saints. What moves you to be human like Jesus? |
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Good Friday
Tenebrae,
Apr. 2: |
Christ in us! Open your arms, Crucified Friend, and hold us in
your embrace! |
First Holy Communion Classes for children in grade 4 or older who
have not yet prepared for the Sacrament are being held on Mondays from
6:30 to 7:30 PM. First Holy Communion will be celebrated on Sunday,
May 2 at 10:45 AM.
Attend Hope's Free University! Dr. Christopher Bellitto, from
the History Department of Kean University, will present a lecture on Monday,
March 22nd at 7:30 PM. More information here.
"Faith and Light" an ecumenical ministry to and with developmentally
disabled children and adults of UMDNJ/Allies, related to L'Arche, International
met on Thursday, February 18th at 7 PM at Hope to plan a monthly worship/craft
and snack/fellowship experience that will be offered at Hope on the first
Saturday of each month beginning March 6th from 6 to 7:30 PM.
Interested members are invited to help develop this experience for the
three county area. Speak to Pastor Pat, Zinke, Jaime or Andrew McGeady
or Ed Hudak for more information.
Excitement! Welcome our Visitors! Pastor Pat and her family
will be hosting The Rev. Johannes C. Sindano, Bishop of the Eastern Diocese
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia at their home in May.
Bishop Sindano, his wife Marta and staff generously hosted the Medleys
at the synodical guest house during their trip to Namibia in October.
Bishop Sindano will be an honored guest at the New Jersey Synod Assembly,
May 7-8 in East Brunswick, to help us celebrate 20 years as a Companion
Synod with the Lutheran churches in Namibia. Pastor Pat has invited
Bishop Sindano to preach at Hope on May 9th.
Pastor Pat
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