It's February! Time to prepare for Lent.

The beginning of February signals the need to prepare for a holy Lent. Lisa Martinson, our new Christian Education Director, is compiling a booklet of daily Lenten meditations written by members of St. Mark's. There may be space available for your contribution to the booklet. Contact Lisa this week at 713-861-3104.

 

But first, the Sweetheart Banquet! Members of our music ministry are preparing to serve food and fun through song and dance, thereby raising funds for our choir scholarship singers. If you've never witnessed a coconut cake selling for $500, you'll want to be present for this special evening.

Sweethearts Banquet – Big Band Hits

The morning after, our worship will focus on Transfiguration Sunday, the last Sunday before the beginning of Lent, when our scripture readings contrast the glory of mountaintop experience with the need to get to work in the valley where people long for the good news of God's love and care. It's time to ask ourselves:
 

● How will I prepare for Lent, the 40 day season of preparation for the celebration of new life in Jesus Christ?

● How will I change my daily routine, setting aside the usual for daily practice of the spiritual disciplines?
 

Here they are for your consideration:

Prayer - pray daily using booklet; attend Wednesday morning prayers during Lent, 7:00 - 7:30am, St. Mark's courtyard.
 

Giving alms - redirect your spending to focus on giving to help people; support food pantry; keep agape bags in your car; contribute items or funds for agape bag preparation.

Fasting - give up a food, beverage, activity, to heighten awareness of our hunger for God; use time and money saved to serve and give Worship - attend regularly; attend Holy Week services - Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday - to prepare yourself to celebrate the joy of Easter.

Study - join a Sunday morning class for weekly study of scripture or other faith growing materials.
 

Service - give yourself away in service to others through the HIM Food Pantry, Hogg Middle School mentoring, community garden, helping with UMYF Sunday afternoon, help prepare the sanctuary for Easter  morning or volunteer in the church office. Call Shelley in the business office at 713-861-3104 for more information.
 

We are in a season of turning, a time of moving from the Sundays after Epiphany to the Sundays of Lent. It is a journey from self and satisfaction to rebirth. If Lent is a season to prepare for Easter, this is a season to prepare for Lent. How will we make space in our lives for those spiritual practices that open us to the possibilities of Easter?
 

Peace and preparation,
 

Marilyn