hey everyone,
i have been out of the bloggersphere for a while now, but do not worry. i am back now 
as you may or may not know, this sunday is the 1st sunday in lent. lent is the span of time in the church calendar that starts with ash wednesday and ends with easter sunday. ash wednesday commemorates the beginning of Jesus’ 40-day fasting and temptation in the desert, and easter sunday commemorates Jesus’ resurrection from the grave after his crucifixion.
lent, then, is generally observed as a time for christians to reflect, repent, and pray as a way of preparing their hearts for easter. It is commonly observed by many christian denominations—catholic, anglican, lutheran, and others—although not every christian church or denomination does so. because lent is not officially instituted in scripture, observing it isn’t in any way a “requirement” of christianity. however, christians from many different theological persuasions choose to observe it as a way of focusing their thoughts on Jesus Christ during the easter season. during the season of lent, at life fellowship we will be using the common lectionary to read together some passages of scripture from the old and new testaments, the gospels, and the psalms during our services. here are the passages we are reading for this sunday- the 1st sunday in lent…
Genesis 9: 14-16
(Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him…) “Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”
Psalm 25:1-5
“In you, LORD my God, I put my trust. I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause. Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”
Mark 1:9-15
“At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him. After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
sunday 2.26.12′s songs…
