“Lent begins in the wilderness. The Spirit guides Jesus into the wilderness where he comes face to face with temptation and struggle. Yet, in his forty days of fasting, resisting, and wandering, Jesus is shaped and formed for ministry. Similarly, through the wilderness of Lent, we are invited to surrender to the wild leadings of the Spirit. We rarely enter the wilderness willingly, but hopefully through our wandering we remember who we are and whose we are. The wilderness can become sacred even if it remains dangerous. There is not wilderness space too harsh or threatening for God’s love.” -Sanctified Art
This Lenten season, First Church will be exploring the biblical theme of “wilderness”. The wilderness is a place of growth, testing, risk, and encounter with God in the Bible. Through art, poetry, sermons, discussions, art, and devotional practice, we will be digging into this idea of wilderness. What are areas of “wilderness” in our lives? Where is God leading us? How can we grow and learn together as the church? As we prepare for the celebration of Easter, First Church will be reflecting on Lent as wilderness, a time for spiritual formation and encountering God.
Join us every Sunday at 10:30, through Easter Sunday (4/12) to experience “The Wilderness”. There will be special services during Holy Week: Maundy Thursday (7:00 PM on Thursday 4/9), and Good Friday (7:00 PM on Friday 4/10).