Beloved Epworth Community,

The season of Lent is upon us. This year’s Lenten theme is “Leap of Faith.” Ultimately, the path
of a Christian requires many leaps. Some leaps are small, when we might be worried about
serving in a new way or joining a new group. Some are larger, when we begin to think about
major changes that will allow us to more fully live our values. And some leaps of faith might
seem very wide, like the leap we take on Easter, believing in a resurrected Christ.

What if your path during this Lent, through new or renewed disciplines, practices, prayer, study,
service and relationships allowed you to arrive at Easter strengthened and prepared such that
the appearance of the risen Christ felt less like a leap of faith and more like something that lived
inside of you all along?

As we go through this season, we’ll explore in worship the kinds of emotions and experiences
the original followers of Jesus wrestled with. We’ll fellowship with each other after worship
with soup suppers (11:00-noon). We’ll study and grow with each other through small groups.
And we’ll experience Jesus’ passion as we move through Holy Week.
 

As Easter breaks through in full, let us celebrate, again, the joy of the resurrection, the body of
Christ alive in our midst, and the blessing it is to live as a disciple.
 

Please take a look at the enclosed brochure and consider how you will engage Lent. Is there
someone you know who needs to know the sense of self-examination, purpose and joy that this
season brings? Please share Epworth’s offerings for worship, fellowship and small groups with
them.
 

Lenten blessings,

Pastor Kristin Stoneking

 

 

P.S. We’ll be supporting two ministries with our Lenten and Easter offering this year. The first is
the Berkeley Food Network and the second is the United Methodist Western Jurisdiction
Committee on Native American Ministries. Donations can be made on our website or in
worship. Thank you so much for your generosity.