Coop's Corner |
February 2005 |
He Chose The Nails
This year Lent starts early. Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, is on the 9th of this month. Wow! That's almost a month earlier than last year! Don't ask me to explain why such a divergence in dates. I think it has something to do with the moon.
I do hope, though, that you will be joining us for a very special Ash Wednesday service at 7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. It is a wonderful way to begin our Lenten discipline. The service is one of gentle contemplation and reflection. It has become a welcomed tradition here at Santa Teresa Hills. So please take a moment to put Wednesday, February 9th, 7:30 p.m. on your calendar - and then don't forget to show up!
Ash Wednesday also means that my Wednesday evening Lenten class is right around the corner. For the five Wednesdays following Ash Wednesday I will be leading a study on Max Lucado's book: He Chose the Nails: What God did to Win Your Heart. And once again I am using this column to shamelessly plug my class.
Lucado has written an intriguing book that walks us through the images and elements of the crucifixion and relates them to us today. Listen to some of the chapter subtitles: God's Promise in the Crown of Thorns; God's Promise in the Nails; God's Promise in the Wine-Soaked Sponge; God's Promise in the Empty Tomb.
God's promises are for you and for me and this is the season to grab hold of them and claim them. Come and join us and see what God offers you. I promise you will not be disappointed.
I don't know about you, but I am really excited about this class. As we discovered last year, Max Lucado is a wonderful storyteller and theologian. And like last year, we probably won't agree with everything he says (or with each other either, for that matter) - but that was half the fun.
You don't have to attend every session to get some benefit from the class but it probably would be helpful to have read (or at least skimmed) the material we will cover before coming to class. However, don't worry if you didn't - come and we'll fill you in!
Max's book is available at Berean Christian Bookstore for $14.99+tax OR here at the office for only $13.00. And who says I can't throw my weight around to save you a couple of bucks! I only have nine books left - first come first served.
The class will be held the 5 Wednesdays beginning February 16th from 7:30 p.m. till about 8:30 p.m. and will most likely be held in the Ember Room.
The following are the chapters we will be covering each week:
| February 16th |
Chapters 1-3 |
Pages 1-28 |
| February 23rd |
Chapters 4-6 |
Pages 29-56 |
| March 2nd |
Chapters 7-9 |
Pages 57-86 |
| March 9th |
Chapters 10-12 |
Pages 87-116 |
| March 16th |
Chapters 13-15 |
Pages 116-151 |
Please come and join us as we explore together this powerful book.
Have a blessed Lenten season and I'll see you on … Wednesday nights!
Pastor Tom |
|
