HOW TO MAKE LENT MEANINGFUL
Laurie McGee
How can we make Lent more meaningful? Bishop David L. Ricken of Green Bay, Wisconsin offers these 10 things to remember during Lent:
Remember the formula. For Lent, the Church gives us almost a slogan—Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving—as the three things we need to work on during the season.
It’s a time of prayer. Lent is essentially an act of prayer spread out over 40 days. As we pray, we go on a journey, one that hopefully brings us closer to Christ and leaves us changed by the encounter with him.
It’s a time to fast. Many Catholics fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday and practice meatless Fridays. Many people “give up” something as their fast and it often becomes a game. We must always remember that fasting is a form of penance, which helps us turn away from sin and toward Christ.
It’s a time to work on discipline. The 40 days of Lent are also a good, set time to work on personal discipline in general. Instead of giving something up, it can be doing something positive. “I’m going to exercise more. I’m going to pray more….”
It’s about dying to yourself. The more serious side of Lenten discipline is that it’s about more than self-control—it’s about finding aspects of yourself that are less than Christ-like and letting them die. The suffering and death of Christ are foremost on our minds during Lent, and we join in these mysteries by suffering, dying with Christ and being resurrected in a purified form.
Don’t do too much. It’s tempting to make Lent some ambitious period of personal reinvention, but it’s best to keep it simple and focused. We spend our entire lives growing closer to God. Don’t try to cram it all in one Lent.
Lent reminds us of our weakness. Of course, even when we set simple goals for ourselves during Lent, we still have trouble keeping them. Lent shows us our weakness. This can be painful, but recognizing how helpless we are makes us seek God’s help with renewed urgency and sincerity.
Be patient with yourself. When we’re confronted with our own weakness during Lent, the temptation is to get angry and frustrated. God is calling us to be patient and to see ourselves as he does, with unconditional love.
Reach out in charity. As we experience weakness and suffering during Lent, we should be renewed in our compassion for those who are hungry, suffering, or otherwise in need. The third part of the Lenten formula is almsgiving. It’s about more than throwing a few extra dollars in the collection plate; it’s about reaching out to others and helping them without question as a way of sharing the experience of God’s unconditional love.
Learn to love like Christ. Giving of ourselves in the midst of our suffering and self-denial brings us closer to loving like Christ, who suffered and poured himself out unconditionally on the Cross for all of us. Lent is a journey through the desert to the foot of the Cross on Good Friday, as we seek him out, ask his help, join in his suffering, and learn to love like him.
Remember the formula. For Lent, the Church gives us almost a slogan—Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving—as the three things we need to work on during the season.
It’s a time of prayer. Lent is essentially an act of prayer spread out over 40 days. As we pray, we go on a journey, one that hopefully brings us closer to Christ and leaves us changed by the encounter with him.
It’s a time to fast. Many Catholics fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday and practice meatless Fridays. Many people “give up” something as their fast and it often becomes a game. We must always remember that fasting is a form of penance, which helps us turn away from sin and toward Christ.
It’s a time to work on discipline. The 40 days of Lent are also a good, set time to work on personal discipline in general. Instead of giving something up, it can be doing something positive. “I’m going to exercise more. I’m going to pray more….”
It’s about dying to yourself. The more serious side of Lenten discipline is that it’s about more than self-control—it’s about finding aspects of yourself that are less than Christ-like and letting them die. The suffering and death of Christ are foremost on our minds during Lent, and we join in these mysteries by suffering, dying with Christ and being resurrected in a purified form.
Don’t do too much. It’s tempting to make Lent some ambitious period of personal reinvention, but it’s best to keep it simple and focused. We spend our entire lives growing closer to God. Don’t try to cram it all in one Lent.
Lent reminds us of our weakness. Of course, even when we set simple goals for ourselves during Lent, we still have trouble keeping them. Lent shows us our weakness. This can be painful, but recognizing how helpless we are makes us seek God’s help with renewed urgency and sincerity.
Be patient with yourself. When we’re confronted with our own weakness during Lent, the temptation is to get angry and frustrated. God is calling us to be patient and to see ourselves as he does, with unconditional love.
Reach out in charity. As we experience weakness and suffering during Lent, we should be renewed in our compassion for those who are hungry, suffering, or otherwise in need. The third part of the Lenten formula is almsgiving. It’s about more than throwing a few extra dollars in the collection plate; it’s about reaching out to others and helping them without question as a way of sharing the experience of God’s unconditional love.
Learn to love like Christ. Giving of ourselves in the midst of our suffering and self-denial brings us closer to loving like Christ, who suffered and poured himself out unconditionally on the Cross for all of us. Lent is a journey through the desert to the foot of the Cross on Good Friday, as we seek him out, ask his help, join in his suffering, and learn to love like him.
LIGHTHOUSE MINISTRIES AT RUMC
Mason Smith
In October of 2023, Ringgold UMC applied to be a lighthouse church. What does that mean? A Lighthouse Congregation is a United Methodist congregation devoted to Christian hospitality and to the welcome and care of people who've been displaced from their church homes by disruption, disaffiliation, or closure. As such, we commit to 3 core ideas:
Radical Hospitality: They will know we are Christians by our love. And we show that love through extreme hospitality and serving those others refuse to. We ask ourselves: “how can we love others like Jesus?”
Comfort in Grief: Many people lost a home church over the past few months. Others lost lifelong friends over a doctrinal difference. We ask ourselves: “How can we comfort these people in their grief?”
Community Outreach: We are called to “go and make disciples.” And that starts by impacting positive change in our community. We ask ourselves: “How can we give back to our community in a way that honors God?”
Radical Hospitality: They will know we are Christians by our love. And we show that love through extreme hospitality and serving those others refuse to. We ask ourselves: “how can we love others like Jesus?”
Comfort in Grief: Many people lost a home church over the past few months. Others lost lifelong friends over a doctrinal difference. We ask ourselves: “How can we comfort these people in their grief?”
Community Outreach: We are called to “go and make disciples.” And that starts by impacting positive change in our community. We ask ourselves: “How can we give back to our community in a way that honors God?”
NEWS FROM 49ER’S
Kay Harrell
Our next 49er’s meeting will be February 13th at 11:00 AM at Golden Corral Buffet & Grill, 760 Battlefield Parkway, Ft Oglethorpe, GA. We will go back to evening meetings in March.
RSVP Kay Harrell. 423-504-2737.
RSVP Kay Harrell. 423-504-2737.
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT RUMC PRESCHOOL
Kodi Lowry, Director of Preschool
RUMC Preschool is so excited to be back for our second semester of the 2023-2024 school year! We have soccer shots starting back up, as well as a new dance class with Ms. Caroline of the European School of Dancing. Our Pre-K students are preparing for graduation and working hard to be ready for Kindergarten next year. We have so many fun things coming up this semester, such as Donuts with Dudes, Muffins with Ma’am’s, and Read Across America Week with special guest readers stopping by. R|preschool is truly blessed with the best kiddos and staff around!
FRIENDS OF MOMANCE
Belinda Crisman
Thank you, RUMC, for being a church that shares the love of Christ in Haiti! Since 2013, you have faithfully supported our school in Momance. This year the Christmas ornament fundraiser raised enough money to pay for one month’s salary for the school nurse. Also, Jan Sloan and her RUMC sewing team made these beautiful dresses for our students. The Momance community sends their deep appreciation, prayers, and love!
SUPPORTING OUR FAMILIES DURING DEPLOYMENT
Chris Smith
Whether you are an on-line member or an in-person member, the men's ministry is seeking your assistance. We are looking into those who serve our great nation by providing care packages to deployed servicemen and servicewomen. If you have a spouse, brother or sister, son or daughter, nephew or niece, or a grandchild currently deployed, please visit the Connection Corner for more information.
NEW SERMON SERIES
Chris Bryant, Senior Pastor
A new sermon series will begin February 18th (first Sunday of Lent) and run through Sunday March 31st (Easter Sunday). The sermons series is titled IDENTITY CHANGE: Lessons for Lent for BEING the Church.
Please invite people to attend either in person or online for this important sermon series.
- February 18th: Not Just Serving: I am a Servant (Pastor Sally Ensley)
- February 25th: Not Just Caring: I am a Caregiver
- March 3rd: Not Just Giving: I am Generous
- March 10th: Not Just Fasting: I am Sacrificial
- March 17th: Not Just Praying: I am a Pray-er
- March 24th: Not Just Attending: I am a Worshiper
- March 31st (Easter Sunday): Not Just Believing: I am a Witness
Please invite people to attend either in person or online for this important sermon series.
UPCOMING EVENTS
(Please see handout in the Connections Corner for regularly scheduled activities)
Christ's Chapel Mission Opportunity
Led by Sally Ensley at Christ Chapel
February 3, 9:30 AM-12 PM
Crock Pot Cook Off
Led by Jamie in the gym
February 11, 11 AM-1 PM
49er’s
February 13th, at 1:00 PM Golden Corral
Drive Through Ash Wednesday Blessing
February 14th: 7:00 AM – 8:15 AM. Nashville Street entrance
Ash Wednesday Service
February 14th, 6:30 PM
Led by Sally Ensley at Christ Chapel
February 3, 9:30 AM-12 PM
Crock Pot Cook Off
Led by Jamie in the gym
February 11, 11 AM-1 PM
49er’s
February 13th, at 1:00 PM Golden Corral
Drive Through Ash Wednesday Blessing
February 14th: 7:00 AM – 8:15 AM. Nashville Street entrance
Ash Wednesday Service
February 14th, 6:30 PM
FUNDING OUR MISSION
General Budget
Full Year Budget: $610,500
Budgeted in December: $ 50,875
Received in December: $ 50,770
Spent in December: $ 47,291
Budgeted December YTD $610,500
Received in December YTD $526,307
Spent in December YTD $599,429
Full Year Budget: $610,500
Budgeted in December: $ 50,875
Received in December: $ 50,770
Spent in December: $ 47,291
Budgeted December YTD $610,500
Received in December YTD $526,307
Spent in December YTD $599,429
AVERAGE ATTENDANCE
In Person :
9 AM: 92
11 AM: 80
Online:
9 AM: 57
11 AM: 35
9 AM: 92
11 AM: 80
Online:
9 AM: 57
11 AM: 35
A PRAYER FOR ASH WEDNESDAY
Communicator Staff
We forget sometimes that ashes come from fire,
That this soft black powder was once a firm green frond,
Bright and vibrant before it became dry and brittle,
Stiff and fibrous before a flame transformed it into dust.
Every living thing submits to change.
Let’s not fear it.
From seed to plant, palm to ash,
This bit of the earth smudged on our foreheads today
was carried lovingly in the hands of the Creator.
What fires will we step into this Lent?
What new form will our souls take when we
encounter the holy blaze of the Living God?
We are-it is true- ash to ash and dust to dust.
But whether in youth or old age, in life or death,
Let us rest assured that we are held, and we are God’s.
www.jesuits.org
That this soft black powder was once a firm green frond,
Bright and vibrant before it became dry and brittle,
Stiff and fibrous before a flame transformed it into dust.
Every living thing submits to change.
Let’s not fear it.
From seed to plant, palm to ash,
This bit of the earth smudged on our foreheads today
was carried lovingly in the hands of the Creator.
What fires will we step into this Lent?
What new form will our souls take when we
encounter the holy blaze of the Living God?
We are-it is true- ash to ash and dust to dust.
But whether in youth or old age, in life or death,
Let us rest assured that we are held, and we are God’s.
www.jesuits.org
Ringgold United Methodist Church
706-935-4777 | www.ringgoldumc.org
7484 Nashville St
Ringgold, GA 30736
Chris Bryant, Senior Pastor
Sally Ensley, Minister of Care
Britta Alton, Director of Children’s Ministry
Michael Arnold, Worship Band Leader
Kodi Lowry, Director of Preschool
Taylor Lankford, Executive Director of Worship and the Arts
Marty McGee, Coordinator of Senior Adult Ministries
Pam Blaylock, Office Administrator
Drew Sherrill, Communications and Technical Director
Jamie Smith, Director of Youth Ministry
Carolyn Turner, Organist
Ann McMillen, Pianist
706-935-4777 | www.ringgoldumc.org
7484 Nashville St
Ringgold, GA 30736
Chris Bryant, Senior Pastor
Sally Ensley, Minister of Care
Britta Alton, Director of Children’s Ministry
Michael Arnold, Worship Band Leader
Kodi Lowry, Director of Preschool
Taylor Lankford, Executive Director of Worship and the Arts
Marty McGee, Coordinator of Senior Adult Ministries
Pam Blaylock, Office Administrator
Drew Sherrill, Communications and Technical Director
Jamie Smith, Director of Youth Ministry
Carolyn Turner, Organist
Ann McMillen, Pianist