March 2, 2022 is the beginning of Lent, a season in the church calendar that helps us prepare our hearts to remember the death and resurrection of Jesus. Lent lasts 40 days (not counting Sundays, since we view each one as a mini-Easter) leading up to Easter.
As a church community, we want to devote time during this season to beholding Jesus: taking a close, deep look at not only his words and actions but also his heart behind them. To that end, beginning this Sunday our pastors will be preaching through a series on Jesus's last words from the cross. Alongside that, we invite you to join us in reading the book Gentle & Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers by Dane Ortlund, a rich, pastoral reflection on the heart of Jesus that exposes and challenges many misconceptions we might have about him and his attitude towards us.
Free copies of Gentle & Lowly are available at Restoration. The audiobook is also available from the local library through the Hoopla app.
We’ve created a Companion Guide and reading schedule to take us through the seven weeks of Lent. In the guide, you’ll find reflections on the book from several of our staff and interns, along with favorite quotations and reflection questions for each chapter. We hope these will prompt good conversations among Community Groups and friends at Restoration.
As we behold Jesus together during this Lenten season, may we taste and see the goodness of God’s love, grace, mercy, and provision for us in Christ, and may we be all the more eager to share a taste with those around us.
