Coming together during Lent

We hosted the Community Lenten Service tonight and over 115 people came out to worship from the six churches. This was the fourth service in the series. We began at Lee Memorial United Methodist on Ash Wednesday and have met each week since. The format has been simple. The host pastor preaches and designs the service to reflect what might happen on a typical Sunday there. Each of the other Pastors takes one of the roles in leading the worship.

Since we began this series in 1999 or 2000 the participants have changed but the spirit has remained the same. It was Rev. Sidat Balgobin's idea to come together during Lent. This year Rev. John Lancz was our newest member of the clergy to join us. Last year we welcomed Pastor Michelle Madsen-Bibeau. Rev. Bill Dunlap came on board three years ago. Rev. Ho-Soon Han was the newcomer in 2003. The truth is that it has been fun getting to know the new Pastors and the services have provided a great way to meet for our congregations. (Pictured to the right are Sidat Balgobin, David Stickney, Bill Dunlap, Sheldon Keller, Cal Lord and Ho-Soon Han from the Spring of 2006.)

At tonight's service our Praise Team offered the special music in lieu of our choir. With Adele out due to medical reasons, we gave the choir a break and took advantage of the fact that our Praise Team had a few songs ready to go. I preached on john 17:6 ff and talked about Jesus' prayer for us as we walk the road to Jerusalem and beyond.

After each of the services folks get together for coffee, punch and snacks. The best part is catching with old and new friends. Sidat originally suggested the services last about 40 minutes and then we have cookies and fellowship for 20 minutes and are out of there in an hour. Well we got the first part right but the fellowship often lasts much longer. It is great fun though.

Next week we head down to United Congregational Church. Rev. John Lancz will be the preacher and we will all get to check him out. I hope you will join us for the worship and the fellowship.

Cal