Tag Archives: Lent

Drawing Closer

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…I know where I have come from and where I am going… John 8:12-20  Remembering the past while embracing the future requires focus, courage, flexibility and above all faith. Half way through this season of Lent perhaps we’ve fallen off a bit from our journey towards reconciling all that we’ve come to know with all that is yet to be known; as we leave what needs to be left of the old and graciously receive all that is new. Gracious God thank you for the strength of your spirit that guides us as you continue to create your love within us and draw us closer to where you desire us to be.

Lent

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Marcus Aurelius wrote; “Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.” We have within us the ability to change and grow. The question is whether or not we will open ourselves to every opportunity to change and grow. Today we move into the Lenten season. For some it’s a time of discipline and others a time of self reflection. Either way, we anticipate that when the season comes to a close, we are strengthened by our perseverance and have opened ourselves a little more to God’s will in our lives. Change as we know can be scary but is part of the process of growth, which doesn’t always come easy. Our learning curves can sometimes be rather stubborn. For this reason the season of Lent, spiritually never has and ending. Gracious God help us to know ourselves well enough to understand that there is always more to be known.

…let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us… Hebrews 12:1-14

Luke 18:9-14;  Jonah 3:1-4:11

 

Lent

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Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent, a time of penitence, reflection and preparation. I like to think of it as our own personal journey towards Jerusalem in which we face the wilderness of our own lives. It is the opportunity to fast the world in order that we might draw ever closer in our relationship with God. The ashes we receive is our witness and testimony before the world that we are on this journey. I offer this prayer to those receiving ashes today.

Almighty and merciful God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent; create in us new and contrite hearts, so that when we turn to you and confess our sins and acknowledge our need we may receive your full and perfect forgiveness. AMEN

Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return. Gen. 3:19

Please Join us

Wednesdays at 6:00pm

Bread For Life

Lenten Series: Finding Faith in God’s Forgiveness

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church

7th & Edwards Street

Chester, Pa

Claiming Spiritual Identity

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Who do you say that I am?  In the Episcopal church we are days away from the season of Lent, a time when we are exploring this question for our selves. Although anytime is a good time to examine our spirituality and relationship with Christ, the forty day walk towards Jerusalem is a great place to start. Jesus asked this specifically of his disciples because I believe he needed to be sure they were at least clear about who he was even if they were not as clear about it’s meaning for their lives. This is the place many of us find our selves when dealing with the physical while trying to connect with the spiritual. However, to fully understand or recognize Christ’s life as our own one has to make way for the other; “For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.” Mark 8:27-9:1