Every year around now we all start thinking about what yummy thing we think we should give up for Lent. Bruce and I haven’t really followed that tradition ourselves, for the same reason we don’t make New Year’s resolutions either: we know we probably won’t follow them. Plus, at least for this pastor, I’ve not really felt that denying myself chocolate was really going to make me a better person. Sure, I understand and value the concept of self-denial, but I’ve always thought self-denial made a lot more sense when it served a greater purpose, like helping someone out, not just an exercise in making myself miserable.
Enter the book we’re going to study for Lent this year, James Moore’s Give Up Something Bad for Lent. This is a short (just 96 pages in paperback) book that for its brevity packs a punch. The author makes the case that we might deepen our appreciation for this holy, penitential season by seeking transformation rather than merely self-discipline. He suggests giving up things such as condemnation, our inner demons, running away, bad habits and pettiness. And while acknowledging that doing this is never easy, he nevertheless provides thoughtful discussion questions at the end of each chapter that we feel will encourage us to act as cheerleaders for each other. By talking about these things, we can have a better understanding of the challenges and goals and together, we can welcome Easter with a new and brighter outlook on life.
We will be offering this study at several times during the weeks of Lent, starting on March 10 with the Monday morning Bible study at 9:30. Wednesday nights at 6:30 it will also be offered, in person and on Zoom, and it will be part of our Family Worship messages on Sundays at 10:45 a.m. More details on our Lenten midweek worship schedule will be in next week’s newsletter.
We are excited to be offering a study of this practical, easy-to-read book as we really feel it can make a difference in our lives individually and as a congregation. We will have copies of the book available in the narthex, and the suggested donation of $10 each.
