Lent 2022: The Wholehearted Jesus
In Deuteronomy 6:4-6, we read what is known in the Jewish tradition as the shema. Shema means “hear.” This text is a central part of morning and evening prayers.
“Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your might.” In Matthew 22: 36-40, when Jesus was questioned about the greatest commandment, he repeated what was so well known in his tradition, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind.” And Jesus added a second, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus is wholehearted in all things related to God and God’s beloved. What does it mean for us to love God wholeheartedly, with all our hearts? In the scripture texts for the Lenten season, we will be spending time with the wholehearted Jesus and thinking about what it means for us to be wholehearted people of faith.
Join us for a Lenten Study Led by Dottie LaPenta Via Zoom
Tuesdays, March 15 and March 22 7-8:30 PM
When Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment his answer was, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” “With all your heart!” What does it mean to have wholehearted faith? For two sessions during Lent, we will meet to discuss the book “Wholehearted Faith’ by Rachel Held Evans. This book is for the doubter, the dreamer, the seeker, and sojourner, for everyone really. As Rachel Held Evans writes: “Wholeheartedness does not mean reductive thinking that clings to sharp contrasts between black and white, something either is or it isn’t, but rather a recognition and acceptance of the reality of the vast and beautiful landscape of grays. I have come to believe that wholehearted faith requires risk, vulnerability and embracing uncertainty both in our individual and our communal lives. It demands that we admit all that we cannot know and yet encourages us to pursue it nonetheless.” The conversation and discussion promise to be lively. (Dottie promises!) Please plan to purchase the book and read it prior to March 15. But, If you choose not to read the book, and you are a doubter, dreamer, seeker, sojourner, anyone and everyone, you are also invited to attend. You will feel included as there will be a lot to talk about.
Schedule for Holy Week
- Palm Sunday 10:00 AM Worship
- Maundy Thursday 7:00 PM with Communion
- Good Friday no service
- Easter Sunday
- Sunrise service at Cape St Claire Main Beach starting at 6:30am
- Easter Sunday Service at COA 10:00 AM
