Slideshow image

It is now officially my favorite season of the year…baseball season! Pitchers and catchers reported this week, and soon my Atlanta Braves will be in the hunt for another pennant. Spring training is just around the corner. College baseball season has already begun. After such a cold winter, it is good to think that summer will be here before we know it.

Another of my favorite seasons begins this week…the season of Lent. The six weeks of Lent are a time of preparation for the joy of the resurrection on Easter. We begin on Ash Wednesday, February 18. The men will be cooking pancakes for supper, so make sure you sign up! Then at 6:30 we will gather in the sanctuary for the service of the Imposition of Ashes. It is always a very moving and powerful service. And our journey with Jesus toward Jerusalem and the cross begins.

The season of Lent is marked in several ways. Traditionally we “give something up,” something that is a sacrifice or that is spiritually unhealthy. In the past I have given up meat and road rage, and lots of other things in between. I have not made a decision for this year yet. If you have, I would love to hear what you will be doing.

Here at Surfside UMC, we will be continuing our Lenten tradition of collecting food and other items for Backpack Buddies/Help4Kids. You are always so very generous, and what you give makes a tremendous difference in the lives of children and families here in Horry County. The details about what we will be collecting each week can be found in this newsletter, in the worship bulletin, and posted in a variety of places around our campus.

Our children’s Easter Party will be held on Sunday, March 22, following the 11:00 am worship services. The choir will present their Easter Cantata on Palm Sunday, March 29 at the 8:30 and combined 11:00 services. On Thursday, April 2 we will gather at 7:00 pm for communion as we remember Jesus’ last supper with his disciples. We will also hear the reading of the Passion Narrative (the story of Jesus’ last hours on the earth), with the stripping of the altar, leading us into the darkness of Good Friday.

Then, at 6:30 am on Easter Sunday morning, we will celebrate the Resurrection with Shepherd of the Sea Lutheran Church, sharing a Sunrise Service on the beach in front of the Conch Café. Our regular schedule of Sunday services will follow.

It is my hope that you will plan to be here for each of these special services. They add depth and richness to our lives as disciples of Jesus.

Blessings for the journey+
Pastor Mary Teasley