March 2024 Letter
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
As Lent began, Bishop Tracy Smith-Malone shared a Lenten message for the people of the East Ohio Conference. In her message, Bishop Malone encourages us to Say Yes to Jesus in our journeys together.
In her message, Bishop Malone shares a focus for each week of Lent. Included with this focus is a foundational scripture. I have included the full reading plan in this writing and I encourage you to look it over. You can look over the weeks that have already passed and pick it up at week four (which would begin on March 4) or read through it however you feel led. Devotions like this can help us to structure our Lenten journey.
Week 1 Focus: Worship Scripture: Hebrews 10:25
The Bible tells us to not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but we are to encourage one another, to spur one another on to doing good and to have hope. Worship is our form of highest praise. When we surrender our hearts to God in worship, our spirit is uplifted, and our joy is renewed. We extend the gift of fellowship when we invite others to worship with us.
Week 2 Focus: Pray Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Philippians 4:6
Prayer is essential to our faith and our walk with Christ. The hymn writer wrote, “prayer is the soul’s sincere desire”. There are many times people feel powerless in their lives, especially when they experience loss, suffering and hardship. We pray for ourselves, pray for others, and pray on behalf of others to petition God for healing, deliverance, peace, mercy, forgiveness, and hope.
Week 3 Focus: Love Scripture: Galatians 5:6
People will know that we are Christians by how we love. There is so much hurt, pain, hate, violence, and division in the world, and that people experience in their lives. The greatest gift and power that we can offer and embody is the love of Jesus Christ … a love that can bring healing, transformation, and restoration … a love that welcomes … a love that extends community.
Week 4 Focus: Grow Scripture: 2 Peter 3:18; Luke 17:5; Galatians 5:22-23
Discipleship is a lifelong journey. As we study the Word of God and take time to pray, we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and grow in love and compassion for others. We have to ask the Lord to increase our faith. As we grow in Christ, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in our lives and is manifested through how we demonstrate love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Week 5 Focus: Serve Scripture: Matthew 25:40
The Bible tells us that whatever we do for one of the least of these our sisters, brothers, and siblings, we did for him. We must keep our eyes on Christ … focused on our mission of disciple-making, healing, hope, and transformation. Let us not grow weary in doing good, loving our neighbors … welcoming the stranger, serving the poor, dismantling racism, building beloved community, addressing violence, and creating better and safer communities. People need Christ … and the world needs The United Methodist Church.
Week 6 Focus: Listen Scripture: James 1:19
Taking time to listen to another person’s story, perspective, and experience is an act of faith and an act of grace. As the Body of Christ we are to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. We are called to exercise humility, not looking only to our own interests, but to the interests of others.
Holy Week Readings:
· Monday - Isaiah 42:1-9
· Tuesday - John 12:20-36
· Wednesday - Hebrews 12:1-3
· Thursday - John 13:1-17; 31b-35
· Friday - John 18:1-19; 42
· Saturday - 1 Peter 4:1-8
· Easter Sunday - John 20:1-18
Devotions for the Holy Week readings: https://www.eocumc.com/bishop/lent24.html
God’s Blessings-
Pastor Charlene