Seeds of Hope

Lent is a season where we can soul-search, intentionally turn from doing wrong, and strive in our lives to allow Jesus Christ to be more fully visible through our living. Lent is a season for reflection and personal sacrifice. Lent originated in the early days of the Church as a preparatory time for Easter, for the faithful rededicated themselves and the new Christians were instructed and baptized. The season of Lent lasts for 40 days which this year begins with Ash Wednesday, on February 22nd and ends on Holy Saturday, April 7th. Sundays are not counted in Lent, for they are looked upon as “Little Easters.”

 

Our resident bishop Marcus Matthews asked United Methodists of the conference in the spirit of reflection, sacrifice and commitment that Jesus made when he withdrew to the wilderness to fast and pray for 40 days, “to undertake that same regiment.” He said to, “Pray daily on the conditions of the world in which we live…join me in the John Wesley fast each week…(and) commit to the ministry of Africa University by giving $1 a day during Lent.”

 

Take time through your reflection and personal commitment during this season of Lent and become more aware of the precious gifts of life that are too often taken for granted through a study guide offered for the Upper New York Annual Conference called, 2012 Africa Lenten Study Guide. These study guides can be found in our fellowship hall to take home with you or electronically online at this link.  They can be used for personal reflections and devotions during Lent.

 

We live in an area where there are many colleges and universities available to us. Through our devotions and prayers during this Lenten season we can make a difference in Africa to help a student so he or she might make a great contribution to the eradication of AIDS, war or famine.

 

During this season of Lent, may our faith in God be increased so that we may share the love of our Lord Jesus Christ with our brothers and sisters near and far.