by Catherine Purdy

“Lent, if we take the trouble to mindfully observe it, can feel like a wilderness season. Originating as a 40-hour fast from Good Friday through Easter, Lent has always been associated with death. That death is literal as it relates to Jesus, but for us, His followers, it is usually figurative. Lent is a season of clearing out, of emptying, of letting go, of dying to our old self so that God can raise up our new, true self.”
- Creating Space for God: fasting in the wilderness

Lenten small groups provide a way for people at Bethany to join with others in coming weeks in preparation for our Celebration of the Resurrection.

This year Pastor Dan Baumgartner and Kimberlee Conway Ireton have written three studies entitled Creating Space for God: Fasting in the Wilderness that will draw our attention to the wilderness stories of Elijah and Jesus. Both of these stories include fasts, and we will consider them as they appear within the stories and in relation to our lives.

Through this look at fasting, we will have opportunity to make extra space for God in our lives, an empty place into which God can pour Himself, much as Elijah and Jesus did into their own wilderness journeys.

Come, read, think, and talk with others about these wilderness experiences. For the wilderness is not really empty, but full of the presence of God. 

These studies will be used by Lenten small groups that are hosted in homes of Bethany people. The groups will meet for three weeks, one evening during each week. Please see the schedule of groups and choose what works best for you. You will have the opportunity to sign up for these groups after each service until March 11.

The studies will also be made available to anyone at Bethany who would like to use them. We invite existing small groups to consider using these studies as well as part of their Lenten preparation.

Contact: Catherine Purdy, 762-2699, catherine.purdy@gmail.com
Kay Benesi, 285-0831, jeff47@qwest.net