The Road to the Cross

            It’s that time of the year when you might hear someone ask: “What did you give up for Lent?”  Some have grown up with the practice of “giving something up” for these few weeks.  For others this is unfamiliar or perhaps something friends of another denomination practiced, but not you.  Perhaps the same might be said for “the season of Lent” and an “Ash Wednesday Service.”  Yet ashes have been a symbol of repentance and regret since earliest Old Testament times; and self-denial and preparation in faith during the weeks (and even months) leading up to Easter have been traditional in the church from its earliest centuries.  Sacrifice—giving up and giving back to God—are also traditions found in the earliest biblical records.

            These six weeks leading up to the highest and holiest day of the church year—the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ—are here.  This repeating cycle year in, year out, gives us the opportunity to regularly reflect on our walk with God and our growth in our relationship with Him—which can lead to the uncomfortable question: “If I am not growing in my faith walk, why not?”  This season raises to our awareness the need to turn around once again and get straight with Jesus. 

            While Bible Studies are ongoing year round here at Cypress (Sunday mornings at 10 AM for all ages and Thursday evenings at 7:30 PM at Jim & Ann Myers), a five week study during Lent—Five Thursdays in March, will particularly focus on the way of the cross: our life of faith lived in the shadow of the cross and what it means to live this out today.  So mark your calendars for Five Thursdays in March (beginning March 1^st) and come sit in the shadow of the cross at 7:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall.

                 "In the cross of Christ I glory"

                                                                                           Yours in Christ,

                                                                                            Barbara Hedin