A S U R P R I S I N G J O U R N E Y | Tim Palmer

We are reaching the end of our “Worship in the wilderness” series. Palm Sunday welcomes Jesus as King, in a surprising kind of kingdom.

A T R U T H – S P E A K I N G J O U R N E Y | Penny Day

Penny is sharing on A truth-Speaking Journey as part of our series Worship in the Wilderness. God uses the prophetic to bring life and hope to people. Ezekiel 37:1-14 The Valley of the dry bones. Communion will be taken at the end of the service.

As we continue our Lent series, this week is perhaps the most difficult one on our journey through the wilderness. We began by talking about how the Holy Spirit of God calls us to the desert that we might be transformed. We have spoken about how wilderness worship looks different from mountaintop worship – it might involve things like solitude, silence, simplicity and fasting. But this week we come to the stark truth that wilderness worship might also involve some sorrow. Yet there is great comfort as we look to scripture for the tools to intercede and to exchange our sorrow for God’s joy and peace.

This week we are reflecting on Silence, Solitude and Simplicity. In a very noisy, busy world we can see these activities either as relief or something we don’t have time for. Yet, Jesus often stepped away from the crowds for moments of solitude with God.

Tim will be presenting a new series called “Worship in the Wilderness” during the weeks of Lent—the forty days of preparation before Easter. We recall the forty days that Jesus experienced in the wilderness. It is often a time of fasting which helps us to focus on God. A time of repentance and forgiveness as we recall the work of Jesus at the cross and a time of simplicity, solitude, and receiving. It is a time of preparation for ministry and calling.