What is lent?


     Lent is a 40-day season (excluding Sundays) that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday. In the United Methodist Church, Lent is a time of reflection, repentance, and spiritual renewal as we prepare for Easter. Throughout Lent, we remember Jesus’ journey to the cross. The season begins by recalling Christ’s temptation in the wilderness and moves toward Palm Sunday, when we remember his triumphant entry into Jerusalem and his suffering and death. During this time, Scripture readings focus on baptism, discipleship, and what it means to follow Christ faithfully.


We observe Lent through worship, prayer, fasting, acts of service, and Holy Communion drawing closer to God and preparing our hearts for the joy of Easter.


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Lent adult study group

This Lent, our congregation will center our sermons on Meeting Jesus at the Table by Cynthia M. Campbell, exploring how Jesus’ meals in the Gospels reveal grace, hospitality, and transformation.


A class meets on Sundays through March 29 at 11:30am in the Community Room at First United to read and discuss the book, offering a deeper dive into its themes as we journey together toward Easter.

HOLY WEEK EVENTS

Holy Week is the final week of Lent, centering on Jesus’ last days. The season reaches its climax in the Great Three Days (from sunset on Maundy Thursday to sunset on Easter Day), when we walk with Christ from the table, to the cross, to the tomb, and celebrate his resurrection.

03/29

pALM SUNDAY

Parade of Palms to Hawthorne Park followed by a light Brunch at First United before our 10am Cantata Service 

04/02

MAUNDY THURSDAY

Dinner Church Location TBD at 6pm.

04/03

GOOD FRIDAY

Tenebrae Service at First United Methodist Church

12PM and 7PM

04/04

eASTER CELEBRATION

Hosted at Redlands United Methodist Church from 10AM-11:30AM . For more information or to volunteer contact Anna at kidzmin@fumcgj.org.


EGG HUNT

FUN GAMES

CRAFTS & MORE

06:30am

Sunrise service

Meet at Redlands United Methodist Church to ride the bus or to caravan to the monument, will be leaving the parking lot at 6am sharp.

08:00am

potluck breakfast

Redlands United Methodist Church, please bring a dish to share.

09:00am

blended style worship

At Redlands United Methodist Church

10:00am

traditional service with brass ensemble

At First United with fellowship to follow.

11:00am

traditional service

At Palisade United Methodist Church.