What is Lent?
“Jesus set his face toward Jerusalem and in so doing, he offered us God’s life, power, and salvation. As followers of Jesus, we are called to reflect on and pray about where we set our faces day by day. Where do we set our faces in our relationships with God and neighbor? Where do we set our faces with our ethical choices? Where do we set our faces when we see the poor and oppressed? These are examples of questions we ask ourselves and one another as we look at Jesus’ decisions during the season of Lent.
In the Christian church, Lent is a season of forty days of repentance and fasting to help people prepare for Easter. Sundays are not counted because they are considered to be ‘mini-celebrations’ of the Resurrection. The season begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts through the Saturday before Easter.”
Richard B. Wilke, He Set His Face to Jerusalem
Ways to Participate
Lenten Small Groups
The Way of Transforming Discipleship, Companions in Christ series
Lent is the season in the Christian year when we reflect on our walk with Jesus. This group experience will address the question: What does it mean to be a Christ-follower? The group will reflect on God’s Word as we explore of the journey of transforming discipleship.
Book order link: Companions in Christ: The Way of Transforming Discipleship – Participant’s Guide: Trevor Hudson, Stephen D. Bryant: 9780835898423 – Christianbook.com
Choose one from these offerings:
Sundays, 5:30-7:00pm beginning Feb. 26 (6 weeks)
Led by Christy Benetiz and Kim Ford; Held at the home Christy Benetiz – Registrants will be notified of details;
Mondays, 11:30-1:00pm beginning Feb 27 (6 weeks)
Led by Kelli Hitchman-Craig and Julie Hare
Register at www.aumc.net/adult-studies-groups.
Walking Groups for Lent
Monday 9:30AM, Kay Whaley | Wednesday 6:30PM, Sarah Kickler | Both groups will meet at Auburn UMC at the Epworth entrance on Gay St.
As Lent approaches, I hope you’ll consider joining a Lenten Walking Group! Walking can be a beautiful spiritual discipline. Join us in small groups as we journey towards the cross! Our goal is to collectively walk enough miles to “walk” to Jerusalem by Easter—6,556 miles! Sign up to join, but registration is not required for participation. Contact Kelli Hitchman-Craig for more information: kellihc@aumc.net
The Glory of Easter Concert
Sunday, March 19 | 3pm | Sanctuary
Auburn United Methodist Church’s Music Ministry presents The Glory of Easter featuring Ian Mulder, Pianist and Composer. Celebrate Easter through the gift of music on Sunday, March 19, at 3pm. All are welcome, and the event is free of charge. Mr. Mulder will be performing a totally new program centered around the cross of Christ and the triumph of His resurrection.
Underwritten by Stanley Sistrunk and The Flower Store as an Easter gift to the community.
The clergy of Auburn UMC will be writing a devotion each week of the Lenten Season. They will be available in the narthex of the sanctuary and the chapel and also online. We hope you will follow along with us as we journey to Easter.
We invite you to rejoice in the Easter message by honoring or remembering a loved one through the beauty of spring flowers. Details can be found at aumc.net/easter-floral-arrangements.
Join us at 3pm on April 2 at Keisel Park for an Egg Hunt! Toddlers to 6th grade are welcome to participate!
All donations left at the Communion Rail during the Lenten Season will be donated to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) and their ongoing relief efforts across the globe.
We invite you to join in the United Methodist Church’s “Photo-A-Day” challenge. Take and share a photo each day of Lent based on the prompt below as a way of pausing and reflecting during this special season. More information on the challenge can be found at umc.org.
Palm Sunday, April 2
Traditional Service
8am Sanctuary | Chancel Choir, Brass, & Percussion
Celebration Service
9:30am Sanctuary
Traditional Service
9:30am Chapel | Chancel Choir, Brass, & Percussion
Traditional Service
11am Sanctuary | Chancel Choir, Brass, & Percussion
Maundy Thursday, April 6
Traditional Service
6pm | Sanctuary
Good Friday, April 7
Traditional Service
6pm | Sanctuary | Jubilate Singers, Chancel Choir, & Strings
Easter Sunday, April 9
Traditional Service
8am Sanctuary | Chancel Choir, Brass, & Percussion
Celebration Service
9:30am Family-Friendly Service
Traditional Service
9:30am Chapel | Chancel Choir, Brass, & Percussion
Traditional Service
11am Sanctuary | Chancel Choir, Brass, & Percussion