“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” — Mark 8: 31-38
We have been up to a lot of things lately. We continue to worship as the Albany Park Ministry Center rehabilitation continues. Our merger process with the Big Shoulders Church has been filled with grace and prayer. This Saturday Pastor Ha will be installed as the new Pastor of First Vietnamese United Methodist Church who we are sharing the ministry center with. There is so much that we have ben up to.
Lent is often known as a time of giving something up in order to make room in our lives for spiritual pursuits. Rather than just “giving up” in Lent, this year we are focusing on how we are asked to consider all that Jesus is “up to” and all that he asks us to be up to in his name. Instead of bemoaning what we can’t do, or used to do, in a culture where “measuring up” to external standards seems impossible, this Lent we will celebrate the small things that we can do right now to respond to God's call in our place, for our time.
On Wednesday morning we will be distributing ashes on the Albany Park El platform. I hope that you will think about joining us. On Wednesday evening we will begin our Lenten prayer group that will center around the work of merger that God has called us to.
Our Lenten series this year is “what r u up 2?” I pray that you will take advantage of the opportunities that are offered to connect to our world, and to renew our own faith community.
Peace,
Matthew