As we step into the sacred season of Lent, Faith UMC invites you to mark this time of reflection, prayer, and renewal in meaningful ways. Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, is a powerful reminder of our human need for grace and transformation.

To accommodate busy schedules while still offering space for sacred reflection, we will be offering Ashes on the Go from 8:00–10:00 AM. This is an opportunity for those who may be commuting to work, dropping off children at school, or simply in need of a quiet moment with God before the day begins. You can receive the sign of the cross in ashes as a visible symbol of our faith, repentance, and reliance on God’s grace.

Then, we invite you to gather with us in worship at 6:30 PM for a special Ash Wednesday service. This time of prayer, scripture, and reflection will help us step into the Lenten journey together as a faith family. The service will include the imposition of ashes, a centuries-old practice that reminds us of both our mortality and the hope we have in Christ.

Support Our Student Ministry at the Ash Wednesday Spaghetti Dinner

As we begin this season of sacrifice and service, we also have an opportunity to support our Student Ministry in their upcoming UM ARMY mission trip. Join us for a Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser on Ash Wednesday, March 5, where our students will be serving up delicious plates of spaghetti before and after the Ash Wednesday worship service at 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM.

All proceeds from the dinner will go directly toward student scholarships, helping make this transformative mission experience possible. Your support will allow our students to serve communities in need, grow in their faith, and be the hands and feet of Christ in the world.

Journey Through Lent with Our Study & Gospel Reading Plan

This Lent, we invite you to journey through the Gospel of Matthew in our study, Follow: Learning from Matthew How to Live Like Jesus. Led by Pastor David, Sunday School classes and small groups are encouraged to use this study during their regular meeting times. Additionally, for those unable to participate in morning sessions, a special Sunday class will be offered at 4:00 PM to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to take part.

Read Through Matthew With Us

Starting March 6, we will also feature a reading from the Gospel of Matthew in each edition of the Faith Messenger. We invite you to follow along with us as we journey through this powerful Gospel together.

Step Into the Season of Lent Together

Lent is a time to slow down, seek God, and prepare our hearts for the joy of Easter. Whether you receive ashes in the morning, attend the evening service, support our youth through the spaghetti dinner, participate in our Lenten study, or follow along in the Gospel readings—or all of the above—we encourage you to take this step of faith with us.

All are welcome to join us as we enter this sacred season together. Come as you are, and let’s begin this journey of reflection, repentance, and renewal in Christ.

This summer, we’re revamping our children’s and student ministries to create engaging, faith-filled experiences for kids and teens! These new groups will officially launch on May 25.

Children’s Director Debbie Shaw, Director of Student Ministries Emmie Howard, and Children’s Ministry Coordinator Abby Jensen are working together to develop dynamic programs that foster faith, community, and discipleship.

What’s Changing? (Starting May 25)

Sundays:

• Grades K-5 – No changes, continue meeting as usual.

• 6th Grade – Now meeting in Room 106.

• Grades 7-12 – Continue meeting at 10 & 11 am in the youth building.

Weeknights:

• Grades 5-8 – Tuesdays, 6-8 pm in the youth building.

• Grades 9-12 – Wednesdays, 6-8 pm in the youth building.

  
  

We are thrilled about these updates and the new opportunities for connection, discipleship, and fun! Stay tuned for more details, including group names and themes, as we get closer to May 25.

Have questions or want to get involved? Reach out to Debbie, Emmie, or Abby.

Pastor Angie has been hosting a series of Prayer Bead workshops, providing attendees with a meaningful way to enhance their spiritual practice. The workshops have been well-received, and additional sessions may be added based on interest.

Many participants have already been using prayer beads, and the opportunity to share new prayers and methods has been a source of joy and inspiration. These workshops aim to deepen personal prayer experiences and introduce new ways to connect with faith through this ancient practice.

During Lent, Pastor Angie will be incorporating a special devotional designed for use with prayer beads. The devotional, We Are Beloved: A Lenten Journey with Protestant Prayer Beads by Kristen Vincent, offers a structured and reflective approach to the Lenten season. Those who currently use prayer beads or are interested in beginning the practice are invited to join in this journey.

This devotional can be used individually or with a group of friends, making it a flexible and meaningful addition to one's Lenten discipline. Anyone interested in participating or seeking more information is encouraged to reach out to angie@faithumcspring.orgPastor Angie for further details.

On Wednesday evening, Faith UMC Social Justice Group hosted the Breaking Barriers event, which saw an outstanding turnout of over 50 attendees. Participants engaged in thought-provoking discussions and activities designed to encourage them to become comfortable with discomfort in order to promote deeper understanding and empathy. The event underscored the importance of open dialogue, active listening, and the willingness to embrace different perspectives, reinforcing the church’s commitment to inclusivity and love for all.

The gathering was a powerful reminder that faith calls for action, pushing individuals beyond their comfort zones to break down barriers of division. Those in attendance left with a renewed sense of purpose and the courage to engage in conversations that bridge gaps and build connections within the community.

A Prayer for Unity and Compassion

Written and spoken by Michele Perez

Dear God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for our church. Thank you for bringing all these amazing people here today. Thank you Father for your word. And thank you for our words. Thank you for our ability to communicate and to be able to spread your word.  And father speaking of words, I know there are some words that seem to trouble people. Like the word woke… though when defined the word “woke” is simply defined as, being aware of and attentive to important issues, particularly those of racial and social justice. And woke is the past tense of wake, which can be defined as to cause something, as in to wake a desire in others. So then isn’t being woke just empathy, and isn’t it our job as Christian’s to awaken a desire in others to be empathetic, sympathetic, and compassionate. sympathetic, loving Christians we know we should be. Again I say human kind needs to be just that, be kind. So tonight Father, open our hearts, help us to be able to see with the eyes of another, listen with the ears of another and feel with the heart of another. Help us to come together as one, one family, united for you and for the love of Christ.

God you have taught us to love one another, to love one another as you loved us. To show compassion in all our interactions with each other. No one should ever feel less than, and if you ever make a person feel less than, aren’t you criticizing God? God created us all in His image, we are all the likeness of God. Haven’t we all one Father? So aren’t we all brothers and sisters in Christ? All equal. Thanks to you Father, we know Salvation is for all people no exclusions. And God, help us to live unto that, unto knowing we are all equal, all in this together, and all soldiers of Christ.

God help us to break down any barriers, anything that may lead to exclusion or prejudice against anyone. Give us the wisdom and courage to make this a better world. To speak up for those who feel they can’t. To be the empathetic, sympathetic, loving Christians we know we should be. Again I say human kind needs to be just that, be kind. So tonight Father, open our hearts, help us to be able to see with the eyes of another, listen with the ears of another and feel with the heart of another. Help us to come together as one, one family, united for you and for the love of Christ.

In your precious sons name,

Amen