The Journey

The journey through Lent is one that has helped Christians through the centuries to deepen their devotion to Christ and bring life more into line with God's good purposes. This year we will travel through Lent with the Gospel of Mark as your guide and friend. Jesus journeyed from the countryside of Galilee to Jerusalem for what one historian has called "the most important thing that ever happened." His journey led him from his life in Galilee as a charismatic, captivating preacher and teacher to Jerusalem where he would be welcomed as a hero by thousands at first, only to be quickly killed on a cross like a common criminal. But this journey proved to be one of the most enduring and influential lives ever lived, and one that has arguably shaped human history like no other. As we travel through the Gospel of Mark, we remember what the second-century Bishop named Papias wrote of this Gospel: "Mark, who was Peter's interpreter, wrote down accurately, though not in order, all that he recollected of what Christ had said or done. For Mark was not a hearer of the Lord or a follower of His. He followed Peter, as I have said, at a later date, and Peter adapted his instruction to practical needs, without any attempt to give the Lord's words systematically. So that Mark was not wrong in writing down some things in this way from memory, for his one concern was neither to omit nor to falsify anything that he had heard." We may conclude from Papias that in Mark's Gospel we have what Mark remembered and carefully recorded of the preaching material from Peter himself.

Join with us in The Journey, the journey of Jesus to Jerusalem and the Cross, the journey that continues immeasurably to enrich and deepen our own journeys through this life. I invite you to read ahead in Mark and join us for each Sunday in our Lenten Journey toward the glory and grace of Easter.

• Ash Wednesday, February 22
  "Remember Your Baptism"
  Old Testament: Psalm 51
  New Testament: II Corinthians 5:14-21
  Sandra Randleman


• First Sunday in Lent, February 26
  "The Turn"
  Old Testament: Genesis 17:1-8
  New Testament: Mark 8:31-38
  Todd Jones


• Second Sunday in Lent, March 4
  "The Trap"
  Old Testament: Numbers 21:4-9
  New Testament: Mark 10:17-31
  Todd Jones


• Third Sunday in Lent, March 11
  "The Ransom"
  Old Testament: Genesis 22:1-14
  New Testament: Mark 10:32-45
  Todd Jones


• Fourth Sunday in Lent, March 18
  "The Cup"
  Old Testament: Genesis 32:22-32
  New Testament: Mark 14:32-42
  Todd Jones

• Fifth Sunday in Lent, March 25
  "The Betrayal"
  Old Testament: II Samuel 12:1-10
  New Testament: Mark 14:43-51
  Todd Jones


• Passion/Palm Sunday,April 1
  "The Last Day"
  Old Testament Lesson: Psalm 31:9-16
  New Testament Lesson: Mark 15:1-39
  Todd Jones


• Maundy Thursday,April 5
  Easter Sunrise,April 8
  "Firstborn"
  Colossians 1:15-20
  Stuart Gordon


• Easter Day, April 8
  "The First Day"
  Old Testament: Isaiah 25:6-9
  New Testament: Mark 16:1-8
  Todd Jones