Lent and Easter Season at CFUMC

The season of Lent, and Easter Sunday, are special times at Cumming First United Methodist. Our Easter Sunrise Service is held facing the sanctuary with Sawnee Mountain in the background as the sun rises in the East. What a joyful celebration of Jesus’ life and resurrection surrounded by visible elements of His handiwork.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the 40 day period before Easter known as Lent - a time that the church has set aside to help us prepare for Holy Week and the awesome news of Easter Sunday.

Lent is a quiet, reflective season of the heart, a time to look inward in order that we might look Godward. It is often difficult to resist the pace of contemporary life, the demands of work and family and worthy tasks.We are called to spend soul time searching for the centerline of our journey with and toward God. In the shadow of the Cross, we confess our sins and express our agonies. With the assurance of the Resurrection, we claim our joys and celebrate our blessings.

In our effort to turn to God, we recognize that God is not a passive observer. The prophet Joel put it this way: Yet even now, says God, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to your God, for God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.

In the season of Lent, there is hard work to be done. We must deal with those parts of our lives that keep us from God. We let go of those things and preoccupations that do not bring life to ourselves and to others, and do not glorify God. We do all of this as we follow Jesus on the way to the Cross. In the midst of our journey, we remember God’s promise of presence and guidance.

We hope you are making plans to participate in the events offered throughout this special time.

Our full Lent Schedule will help you plan:

Ash Wednesday - February 6
Service of Holy Communion/Imposition of Ashes at 12 Noon; Imposition of Ashes at 7 PM.
Scripture: Psalm 51 Family Activity: Get a large calendar to mark off the days of Lent. Begin by attending an imposition of Ashes service. Talk about what it means to confess our humanity and humble ourselves before God. Draw a cross on the calendar to mark off the first day.
Pray together: Creator God, breathe your life into us as we move away from sin and toward you. Amen.

First Sunday of Lent - February 10
Worship services at 8:45 and 11 AM.
Scripture: Psalms 91, 46, 90
Focus verses for meditation and discussion:
Psalm 91:11: For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
Psalm 46:1a, 10a: God is our Refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble. Be still, and know I am God.
Psalm 90:1-2: Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting, you are God.
Family and Group Activities: Talk about what “God is our Refuge” means. How does God protect us? Attend church services together and learn about the meaning of Lent. Find pictures or paintings of an angel or draw an angel and place it on the calendar to mark off the first Sunday of Lent.
Pray together: Lord, you see all that we are and all that we do; please help us choose goodness. Let us be our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers in the ways that we think, speak and act. Amen.

Wednesday, February 13
Holy Communion at 12 Noon.
Scripture: Matthew 6:19-33
Family Activity: Many people give up a food item for Lent honoring the fasting of Jesus in the wilderness. Fasting is more than giving up a food item, it is also giving up the fear of loving our neighbors as we love ourselves. Clean out your closets and pantry of unneeded items and give them to charity. Draw a picture of what you are giving up for Lent and put it on the calendar to mark off the 7th day of Lent. Pray together: Gracious Lord Jesus, you gave up everything, including a peaceful, happy, normal life, to save us! Help us to remember your sacrifice. Amen

Second Sunday of Lent - February 17
Worship services at 8:45 and 11 AM.
Scripture: Psalms 121 & 136
Focus verses for meditation and discussion:
Psalm 121:1: I shall lift up mine eyes unto the hills – from whence cometh my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 136:1: O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
Family Activity: God is our creator and our provider. Go to Sawnee Mountain and take a short walk. Admire the beauty of the mountain and the surrounding scenery. Pay attention to the mountains in the distance. Be alert to the beauty of sunset and sunrise. Revel in the beauty of God’s creation. Draw a mountain on the calendar to mark off the 2nd Sunday of Lent.
Pray together: Lord, remind us always that you are the living God among us at all times and in every way. Amen.

Wednesday, February 20
Holy Communion at 12 Noon.
Scripture: II Corinthians 4:5-13
Family Activity: Many years ago, an Italian monk made a simple bread to remind his brother monks that Lent was a time of prayer. He rolled the bread dough in strips and shaped them in the form of arms crossed over the heart in a prayerful gesture. The little breads were called “bracellae” - the Latin word for little arms. From this word, came the German word “bretzel” and our word - pretzel. Make pretzels together. Share them and the story with a friend. Draw a pretzel on the calendar to mark off the 13th day of Lent.
Pray together: Lord, may these pretzel snacks remind us to always turn to you in prayer. Amen.

Third Sunday of Lent - February 24
Worship services at 8:45 and 12 Noon.
Scripture: Psalms 42, 43, 23; John 4:5-42
Focus verses for meditation and discussion:
Psalm 42:1-2a: As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
Psalm 23:2-3: ...he leads me beside the still water, he restores my soul...
John 4:13-14: ...those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.
One of the disciplines of Lent is that of fasting – fasting from particular kinds of food or fasting from habits that keep us from God. Fasting allows us to simplify our lives and to focus more of our energy and time on that which is important – that for which we truly hunger and thirst. Think about the things that you could let go of – that would free you up to focus more on God and serving God and others.
Family Activity: Jesus came to serve the Lord, his Father. He came to teach us to serve him also and to serve others as he served and to love others as he loved. Sign up for the One Great Day of Service. Give that day (March 29) as a time for your family to serve others in our community. There will be many projects available. Draw a “helping” hand on the calendar to mark off the 4th Sunday of Lent.
Pray together: Lord, help me to remember that we are equal in our need for you. Watch over your servants and protect them from harm. Amen.

Wednesday, February 27
Holy Communion at 12 Noon.
Scripture: I Corinthians 12:12-27
Family Activity: We struggle to love others who are not like us. Make a point of getting to know someone not like you - a different race, a different religion, a different accent. Draw a heart on the calendar to mark off the 19th day of Lent. Pray together: Lord, thank you for inviting all people, regardless of nation or religion, into your family. Help us to accept that invitation with our whole heart, mind and spirit. Teach me to remember that you came to save all people, not only those just like me. Amen

Fourth Sunday of Lent - March 2
Worship services at 8:45 and 11 AM.
Scripture: Psalms 27, 119; John 9
Focus verses for meditation and discussion:
Psalm 27:1: The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 119:105: Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path.
Focus verses for meditation and discussion:
John 9:5: ...I am the light of the world.
What does it mean for God to be thought of as a light – a light that brightens our way? As a light that leads us through the darkness?
Family Activity: Make an effort this week to visit with sick people, lonely people, the elderly who are in nursing homes or other special care facilities. Find a way to visit with and care for the poor – through the food pantry, through local agencies. Sign up for One Great Day of Service.
Pray together: Lord, I beg you to heal our spirit and cleanse us of sin. You commanded us to love; fill us with your Spirit of love so that we may follow your commands. Show us how to love everyone and do the work of your hands. Increase our faith so that we turn to you in all things. Amen.

Wednesday, March 5
Holy Communion at 12 Noon.
Scripture: John 12:1-11
Family Activity: Get a bag of Jelly beans and discuss the different colors. Red is for the blood He gave, Green is for the grass He made, Yellow is for the sun so bright, Orange is for the edge of night. Black, white, brown, yellow and red is for the children He made. All of these colors receive the grace He gave. Purple is for the hour of sorrow, Pink is for the new tomorrow. Give someone a bag full of jelly beans, Colorful and sweet, Tell them it’s a Prayer....It’s a promise..It’s an Easter Treat! Draw a jelly bean on the calendar to mark off the 25th day of Lent.
Pray together: Father, thank you for sending Jesus to gather us into one flock. Help us to support people who love You wherever we find them. Amen.

Fifth Sunday of Lent - March 9
Worship services at 8:45 and 11 AM.
Scripture: Psalms 130, 40, 13, 6; John 11:1-45 Focus verses for meditation and discussion:
Psalm 130:5-6: I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more that those who watch for the morning.
John 11:25-26: Jesus said to her “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who believes in me will never die.
As you learn to wait before God and listen to God, use some of that time to think about those who serve us in our community and around the world. They wait for an emergency or a special mission and then they venture forth in risky work to make life safer and better for us.
Family or Group Activity: During the week, do something for those who serve us – fire and police workers, members of the military or public servants. Write one of them a thank you note. Visit with them or their family. Find ways of saying thank you and encouraging them as they serve us. Sign up for One Great Day of Service. Draw a red cross on the calendar to mark off the 5th Sunday of Lent.
Pray together: Lord, help us to love you with more than just our lips and words. Lead us to love and follow you. Amen.

Wednesday, March 12
Holy Communion at 12 Noon.
Scripture: John 12:20-36 Family Activity: Jesus talks about walking with the light and walking in darkness. Go to a park and walk along the walking trails. Marvel at the beauty of God’s earth. Imagine how hard it would be to walk the trail in the dark. Draw a tree on the calendar to mark off the 31st day of Lent.
Pray together: Lord, give us the faith that will remove the darkness allowing us to follow You. Amen.

Sunday, March 16 - Palm Sunday
Worship services at 8:45 and 11 AM.
Scripture: Psalm 22
Focus verses for meditation and discussion:
Psalm 22:1-2: My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer; and by night, but find no rest. Family Activity: Bring home your palm branch from the service and use a blade to mark your Bible. Remember how Jesus was greeted on Palm Sunday with such hope and enthusiasm and how people so quickly turned on him. We burn the palm branches and use them next year on Ash Wednesday as a reminder of our mortality and our sinfulness. Reflect of the events of Holy Week – the sacrifice of Jesus and what that means for us. Place a blade on the calendar to mark off the 6th Sunday of Lent.
Pray together: Lord, sometimes we feel lost. Please lead us safely back to you as we journey toward your resurrection.

Wednesday, March 19
Holy Communion at 12 Noon.
Scripture: John 13:21-32 Family Activity: Jesus talks of his betrayal. Talk about how it feels to be betrayed by someone or even just be really angry with someone. Call or visit someone you have lost touch with and renew your friendship. Write the word “Friend” on the calendar to mark off the 37th day of Lent. Pray together: Lord, when our lives are unhappy or threatened, help us turn to you and take heart. Amen.

Thursday, March 20
Maundy Thursday/Tenebrae Service at 7 PM.
Scripture: John 13:1-20 Family Activity: Attend the worship service to participate in the passover meal that began our rite of communion and experience the darkening of Jesus’ death (small children should not attend the Tenebrae portion of the service). Draw a cup on the calendar to mark off the 38th day of Lent. Pray together: Lord, give us the courage to follow you and do your work. Help us to forgive others the way you constantly forgive us. Amen.

Friday, March 21
Good Friday Service at 12 Noon.
Scripture: John 18:1-19:42 Family Activity: Attend the worship service to feel the hope of tomorrow. Color today on the calendar black to mark off this day of Lent.
Pray together: Beloved Father, just as you comforted and strengthened Jesus and the disciples, please comfort and strengthen us with your divine Spirit. Amen.

Sunday, March 23
Easter Sunrise Service at 7 AM
Worship Services at 8:45 and 11 AM.
Scripture: Psalms 150, 30; John 20:1-18
Focus verses for meditation and discussion:
Psalm 150:1, 6: Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise God in his mighty firmament! ... Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Psalm 30: 5, 11: ...Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning ... You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy...
Family Activity: Flowers are one of the many symbols of Easter. Flowers express new life and new hope. It is a symbol of new life that springs from a bulb that seems dry and dead; a reminder of Jesus’ resurrection. The lily especially is a symbol of joy and resurrection. Notice the lilies in our Easter services. Bring a flower to place on the living cross when you come to one of the worship services. Draw a flower on the calendar to mark off the final day of Lent. Pray together: Father, Son, Spirit, come live in us. Help us to go forward from this day of rejoicing to do your will. Amen.

Easter Symbols

Did You Ever Wonder... how our Easter traditions and symbols came to be?

There are many symbols and traditions that help express the meanings of Easter and remind everyone of the first Easter. Some of the symbols and traditions that we use at Cumming First UMC are:

The Cross - Easter is a time when God changed sorrow into joy. The cross universally symbolizes the Christian faith. It reminds us of Christ's death and resurrection.

Flowers - Flowers express new life and new hope. It is a symbol of new life that springs from a bulb that seems dry and dead; a reminder of Jesus' resurrection. The lily especially is a symbol of joy and resurrection.

Animals - all newly born creatures remind us of the new birth in Christ. Because of Easter, we can become "new creatures" in Him. Chickens and rabbits are ancient symbols of fertility and birth. Lambs symbolize Jesus as the Lamb of God and the sacrifice of Jesus. For ancient Egyptians, the rabbit was the symbol of the moon. Easter comes on the first Sunday after the first full moon that occurs on or after March 21.

Butterflies - A caterpillar seems dead inside the cocoon; but it emerges, changed into a beautiful butterfly. The butterfly reminds us that God can change us as Christians into new persons. The caterpillar is a the symbol of life. The cocoon is the symbol of death. The butterfly is the symbol of resurrection. The life cycle of the butterfly symbolizes Christ's transformation.

Eggs - The egg is an ancient symbol of new life breaking forth. It symbolizes spring's return, new life and the Resurrection. Why do we color Easter Eggs? According to one legend, some eggs were colored when Mary's (Jesus' mother) tears fell on them. It became customary to decorate eggs to symbolize the end of the penitential season, the beginning of springtime and renewal of life. The eggshell reminded early Christians of the sealed tomb. Why do we use so many eggs at Easter? A long time ago during the long weeks of Lent, people were not supposed to eat meat or animal products so they couldn't eat eggs, but the hens kept laying them. There were plenty of eggs to be used up once Easter arrived! People decorated them and gave them as presents.

Palm Branch - The palm branch reminds us of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

Lent

What is Lent? Lent is a 40-day season of the church year that runs from Ash Wednesday to Holy Week. Lent's Bible readings, hymns and worship focus on the ministry, suffering and death of Jesus Christ.

Why do we need Lent? As the Bible says All have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Our sins have cut us off from God, and each one of us deserves only God's anger, punishment and eternal damnation. But the season of Lent recalls for us how God in his mercy sent his sinless Son, Jesus, to take our sins upon himself and receive sin's punishment by dying on the cross for us, so that we might be forgiven and granted life in heaven forever with Him.

Why does Lent last 40 days? The Bible says Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness preparing for his formal ministry (Mark 1:13). So Lent's 40 days (not counting Sundays) signify that this is a period of preparation, a time when we ready our hearts to remember Jesus' suffering and death, for our salvation.

What is Passover? Passover is a holiday on the Jewish calendar, traditionally lasting 8 days, commemorating the exodus of the Israelite slaves from Egypt after the angel of death "passed over" their homes, the doorposts of which were marked with the blood of a lamb. In Lent, we celebrate freedom from sin's slavery and death's power through the blood of the lamb – Jesus Christ.

Why do people give up different things for Lent? The long-standing practice of denying ourselves something during Lent is a way for us to better understand the sacrifice Christ made for us, and it can free up time and resources which we can use for worship, prayer, Bible study, meditation or charitable giving.

Why is purple the color of Lent? Purple signifies repentance. Lent is a season centered around the confession of our sins, our desire to amend the brokeness in our lives, and God's willingness to forgive us through the cross of Christ.

Why do we "bury alleluia" during Lent? Refraining from using "alleluia" (an ancient word meaning Praise the Lord) during Lenten worship reminds us that Lent is a somber season of reflection on Christ's suffering and death. "Alleluia" is reintroduced on Easter, when we celebrate Christ's resurrection.

What is Holy Week? Holy Week is the 7-day period at the end of Lent which is the culmination of the entire season. Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday recount for us Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, his Last Supper with his disciples, and his Passion, death and burial before the joy of Christ's resurrection on Easter Sunday.