As we travel in our Lenten journey toward Holy Week and Good Friday in particular, we encourage folks to join us in our annual fast with the church. Our first one took place 25 years ago. And for at least the last 15 years we have attempted to make our fast more focused on the work God would have us do as a ministry and fellowship.

The theme of our daily devotionals and Bible study this Lenten season is A Journey of Blessings. How have we as a ministry been blessed over the last 25 years? How have you been blessed over the last 25 years? What might the blessings be for the next 25 years?

As we have continued to focus our prayers on our church and its direction — on how to better do the work God has laid out for us, we want to celebrate our blessings as well. Those blessings make for a powerful witness of God’s unconditional love for each and everyone of us.

We have had significant growth in outreach to the community and to God’s people. The miracle stories seem to happen at a dizzying pace. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we celebrate our past and present, we will look to our future.

Now that this church is entering its next quarter century of ministry, the pastoral staff and I have been moved by God’s spirit to again call for a day of fasting and prayer on Holy Saturday as part of our Holy Week observance. I pray that all of you consider joining with Vicar Alyce, Lance and me in this spiritual practice.

It is only with your support that we have become a church that is affirming, inclusive and progressive in our ministry, and it is only with your help and prayer that it can continue. Please consider joining us — either in person with us in the park, or at a location of your choosing.

Here are the details of our time of prayer and fasting:

Our fast begins on Good Friday at the conclusion of the “Service at the foot of the Cross.” On Saturday, I will lead us through the day; we will use this scripture as a starting point: Matthew 5:1-12.

What blessings have you witness in the Church?
What blessings have you witnessed in your life?
What blessings have you experienced?
What blessings do we need?

Or feel free to bring up and scriptures you are interested in. If you have a signed “covenant” with the church, I appeal to you to participate in this sacred and holy time of reflection and seeking God’s direction for this fellowship.

Individually we will be encouraging folks to focus on “A Journey of Blessings.”

How does this translate for you in the life of Gentle Spirit Christian Church? What kind of spiritual blessings have you experienced?

What blessings have you witnessed in the Church?
What blessings have you witnessed in your life?
What blessings have you experienced?
What blessings do we need?

We are setting aside Easter weekend to put ourselves aside and concentrate on God, to allow God to speak with each of us and to all of us as a church. Our church will start (as mentioned) our period of fasting and prayer at Good Friday services April 7 at 7pm with First Christian Church of Decatur and end it at our Easter (Resurrection Sunday) Sunrise Service at on April 9 at 7:15am in Candler Park, picnic Pavilion 2.

If this is your first fast or have concerns or questions of how to do a fast, here are some tips. If you have questions, feel free to contact me via the office and let’s chat.