Join us in stepping into the places where Jesus walked so that, once there, we can begin to learn what it means to "follow Jesus."  Every episode cost Jesus something, yet he took on a challenge nevertheless.  He died to something, and he embraced something.  To follow Jesus' footsteps is to step into his story enough to see our own costs and challenges.  Each week we will ask: in order to follow the footsteps of Jesus, what must I die to and what must I take up?

On Palm Sunday, we will have a chance to take a cross, both literally (Palm crosses) and spiritually.  During that week we will journey through more footsteps of Jesus - the Lord's supper, the Garden of Gethsemane, and finally the cross.  On Good Friday we will have a chance to lay down our crosses and surrender all that we have been called to die to through the season, and Easter Sunday will be a celebration of all that He raises us up to do.

   
Ash Wednesday, February 22
           
   
Service of the Imposition of Ashes, 7:00 p.m.
Hear about Peter as he stepped into Jesus' footsteps on the water, and receive the invitation "if you are willing to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, then come take up your cross (ash sign of the cross) and follow him."  Music sung by the Chancel Choir.
   
The First Sunday of Lent, February 26, UMW Sunday
           
   
Continuing the study of Brennan Manning's Abba's Child.  Support the United Methodist Women as they lead our worship.
   
The Second Sunday of Lent, March 4
           
   
Continuing the study of Brennan Manning's Abba's Child.  As we share in Holy Communion, we are asked to be ready to receive the gift and live the life of Abba's Child.
   
The Third Sunday of Lent, March 11
           
   
Hear the story of the mother's request.  In order to follow these footsteps of Jesus, what must we die to and what must we take up?
   
The Fourth Sunday of Lent, March 18
           
   
What can we learn from the stories of the rich young ruler and Zacchaeus?  In order to follow these footsteps of Jesus, what must we die to and what must we take up?
   
The Fifth Sunday of Lent, March 25, Recovery Sunday
           
   
Jesus cleanses the temple and confronts the Jewish leaders.  In order to follow these footsteps of Jesus, what must we die to and what must we take up?  Hear testimony of lives changed through our Recovery ministries.
 
Vesper Concert - The Tallis Scholars: The Field of the Cloth of Gold - 5:00 p.m.
   
Palm Sunday, April 1
           
   
Jesus leaves Bethany and enters Jerusalem in triumph.  Our children process with palms, and we have the opportunity to take home a pre-made palm cross, or make our own at the conclusion of worship, pondering what God has been calling us to die to through this season.

Evensong for Palm Sunday, with music sung by Schola Cantorum - 7:00 p.m.

   
Maundy Thursday, April 5
           
   
Service of Holy Communion, 7:00 p.m., including a drama commemorating the Lord's Supper, at which we hear again the commandment to "Love one another as I have loved you."  Music sung by the Sanctuary Choir.
   
Good Friday, April 6
           
   
Cross Walk, 12:00 noon.  Beginning at the Courthouse gazebo, we will carry a cross through our downtown district to the FUMC Memorial Garden and the Sanctuary.  We pick up the Passion narrative at the end of the Lord's Supper, following it through the Garden of Gethsemane and to the foot of the cross.

The Service of Tenebrae, 8:00 p.m.   We place our palm crosses at the foot of the cross, identifying this with all that God has been calling us to die to.  (The palm crosses will be saved and burned for next year's Ash Wednesday).  We follow the passion narrative through Jesus' seven last words on the cross, as we darken the Sanctuary and remove all decoration.  Music sung by the Chancel Choir.

   
Easter Sunday, April 8
           
   
Sunrise Service, 7:30 a.m.  We join our youth in experiencing the joy of discovering the empty tomb.
Traditional worship at 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. including special music by the FUMC Festival Orchestra.
First Light Service at 9:30 a.m. 
 
As Jesus steps from the tomb we ask again: in order to follow these footsteps of Jesus, what must we die to and what must we take up?