Journey to Resurrection Sunday
Wednesday, February 17th, 2021 marks the first day of the Lenten Season. The Roman Catholic Church observes Lent as part of its Liturgical Calendar. There are some mainline churches that also practice a form of Lent, for example the Presbyterian Church, The Methodist Church, The Episcopalian Church just to name a few. Lent is a season where we prioritize our vision, refocus our attention, and seek for a deeper relationship with God through the journey of Christ to the Cross and the power of His Resurrection. It is a time of contemplation. It is a time for deeper connection to draw nearer to our precious Lord Jesus Christ. This is a season to bring a sacrificial offering to God through self-denial. It is a season to do a self- examination to bear fruit of repentance to God. It is a season to spend time with God and enter into your prayer closet!
During Lent, individuals make a determination of something that wish to “give up” in this season. For example- one might give up ‘chocolate or sweets entirely’. Someone else might give up- fast foods or snacks. Someone else might take a Lenten break from social media or television. The idea is that when you make this sacrificial offering and the desire rises up within you for that thing- instead of reaching for the thing, you reach for Christ, you remember the sacrifice of Christ to save your soul. You reach for your Bible and read the scriptures instead of eating the sweets or streaming your favorite show.
In the Reformed liturgy for Ash Wednesday service, the following is read:
We begin this holy season by acknowledging our need
For repentance and our need for the love and forgiveness
Shown to us in Jesus Christ. I invite you, therefore in the name
Of Christ, to observe a Holy Lent, by self-examination and
Penitence, by prayer and fasting, by practicing works of love,
And by reading and reflecting on God’s Holy Word.[1]
Pope Francis has provided the following invitation to embark on the Lenten fast:
Fast from hurting words and say kind words.
Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.
Fast from anger and be filled with patience.
Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.
Fast from worries and have trust in God
Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity
Fast from pressure and be prayerful.
Fast from bitterness and fill your hearts with joy.
Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others.
Fast from grudges and be reconciled.
Fast from words and be silent so you can listen.
(Well Amen to Pope Francis!)
[1] “Ash Wednesday. Reformed Church in America. 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
The Morning Star Church Connect
Lenten Sacrificial Challenge Invitation
Rev. Dr. Beverly D. Frazier, Senior Pastor of the Morning Star Church, is encouraging us to take this Lenten Sacrificial Challenge. After all, everyone is doing some sort of challenge for all sorts of things. Why not do the Lenten Challenge. This is where you sacrifice something and then give God thanks every time you reach for that thing that you sacrificed. It is a time to reach for God and show appreciation for His extravagant grace he has gifted to us through His only begotten son Jesus Christ. You are cordially invited to participate and pray with us in this journey.
Part of this challenge is to take time to reflect on the journey of Christ to the Cross and the Resurrection Power of Christ both then and now. In my lifetime,
I have seen the crowd that shows up on Resurrection Sunday in their Easter Finery. Today, it would be showcased on IG-Tic Toc and FB. It is as if folks want to go from the Palm Sunday Parade, jump over the crucifixion, and hop to Easter Sunday like a bunny with no reflection on the cost of cross and the great sacrifice of Christ to redeem our sin sick souls. One cannot fully
appreciate the extravagant grace of God without taking time to fully embrace the great sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
So, come and journey with us to Resurrection Sunday. Pastor Beverly will be teaching and praying every Wednesday Morning at 6:00 a.m. ET on the Morning Altar Call
Dial: 1-267-930-4000
Access Code: 588.228.157#
Bible Reading for Week One: Mark chapters 14 and 15
Bible Reading for Week Two: Matthew 26 and 27
Because of God’s Extravagant Grace;
Rev. Kathy Smallwood
