Dear Bethel Family,
Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. For Lent this year, we will again be engaging the work of that great prophet/mystic, Howard Thurman. Together we will study his book, Temptations of Jesus. You may order the book if you like. However, there is no need to. The book is available for order on Amazon or through any of
the major bookstore chains.
During this season of prayer, reflection, and fasting, I invite you to a corporate fast and to meet me weekly for prayer and Bible study in the Virtual Sanctuary. Additionally, I want to encourage you to access our 2024 Lenten Playlist in Bethel Connect and use it as a soundtrack for your week.
We will sing the songs listed there in worship. On Sunday mornings, I will preach sermonic reflections on the temptations faced by Jesus as outlined by Thurman. On Wednesday nights, we will do a deeper dive into them in Bible study. We will meet for prayer in the Virtual Sanctuary at 7 AM on Ash Wednesday and every Monday morning of Lent thereafter.
We will again offer three different ways to participate in this year’s fast by: the physical, the social, and the financial. I am asking every Bethel-ite to make a covenantal commitment to participate in some area of this fast. Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Have a most blessed and holy Lent,
The Reverend Xavier L. Johnson, D.Min.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW/DOWNLOAD THE LENTEN PRAYER AND FASTING GUIDE