FIRST UMC OF SEALY
  • Home
  • Worship
  • Who We Are
    • Church Staff
    • First Board
    • Our History >
      • Sanctuary Remodel
  • Ministries
    • Caring
    • Youth >
      • Confirmation
    • Children >
      • Children's Choir
      • First Kids Mother's Day Out >
        • Registration
        • First Kids Summer Day Camp >
          • First Kids Summer Day Camp Enrollment
      • Safe Sanctuary
      • Vacation Bible School
    • Missions & Outreach >
      • Community Garden
      • Youth Mission Project
    • United Methodist Women
  • Events
    • Holy Week/Lenten Schedule
    • Lenten Lunches
    • Easter Eggstravaganza
    • Annual BIG Spring Sale
  • Giving
  • Contact Us

​Lent 2020

2/20/2020

0 Comments

 
The Christian season of Lent, like the season of Advent, is a time of preparation. During Advent we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior and prepare for his second coming. During Lent we prepare to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior and prepare ourselves to serve him as our Lord. These seasons of preparation have many different traditions and practices associated with them and it would be hardly possible for one person, one family, or one congregation to observe them all.
 
The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday which is forty days before Easter (not counting Sundays). The “ash” in Ash Wednesday comes from the use of ashes as a symbol of repentance, as in “dressing in sack-cloth and sitting in ashes.” Ashes are, of course, what is left when the fire goes out. Fire is the primary symbol of the Holy Spirit. So, ashes are often used as a symbol of what we have left when we let our burning desire to obey God flame out. When I put my will ahead of God I must repent, turn around, and go the other way: God’s way!
 
Many of us practice giving something up for Lent: this is called fasting (fasting is not just about food). The main idea behind Christian fasting is to remind ourselves that there is only one person, place, or thing that we cannot do without – God! So, if you are thinking about giving something up for Lent, think, “What can’t I do without?” “What do I have to have every day or every week?” It is especially helpful to think of things that do not help you to be a better disciple of Jesus. For example: “Am I more likely to do without my coffee in the morning or skip my Bible reading?” I think we all know which one of those ought to be the higher priority.
 
There are many ways to prepare our hearts and minds during this season of Lent but the one indispensable is prayer. Before we decide what we are going to do we each need to spend some time talking to the Boss about what we should do. Be prepared for an unexpected answer. I can easily imagine God saying: “I like this. I like you and I talking together. I want more of this this!”
0 Comments
    Picture

    Author

    In matters of faith, we at First United Methodist Church, Sealy put primary reliance on the Bible. In scripture, we understand that we are all God’s children; therefore, we will be a church that cares for the needs of our church and local community through prayer, deeds, inspiration, and love in the spirit of Christ.

    Archives

    April 2021
    July 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    August 2019
    May 2019
    September 2018
    May 2018
    February 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015

    Categories

    All
    Bread Of Life
    Giving
    Holy Spirit
    Sermon Series
    Transformation
    Wesley

    RSS Feed

Location

Our Mission

​Caring for the needs of our church and community through prayer, deeds, inspiration and love in the Spirit of Christ.

Sunday Worship: 10 am
Adult & Children & Youth Sunday School 9 am
First Kids Mother's Day Out
​(Tuesday & Thursday; 8am to 2pm; Ages 1-3)
Rev Pat Bell, Pastor
First United Methodist Church Sealy
200 Atchison Street
​Sealy, Texas 77474

979.885.2223  ​

Contact Us

    Connect With us:

    Sign up to receive emails and newsletters from First UMC Sealy.
Submit
  • Home
  • Worship
  • Who We Are
    • Church Staff
    • First Board
    • Our History >
      • Sanctuary Remodel
  • Ministries
    • Caring
    • Youth >
      • Confirmation
    • Children >
      • Children's Choir
      • First Kids Mother's Day Out >
        • Registration
        • First Kids Summer Day Camp >
          • First Kids Summer Day Camp Enrollment
      • Safe Sanctuary
      • Vacation Bible School
    • Missions & Outreach >
      • Community Garden
      • Youth Mission Project
    • United Methodist Women
  • Events
    • Holy Week/Lenten Schedule
    • Lenten Lunches
    • Easter Eggstravaganza
    • Annual BIG Spring Sale
  • Giving
  • Contact Us