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e service 930am - 11am • the awakening 630pm • walker hall auditorium
We are moving through our Lenten Season of Worship. Lent is the 40 day period between Ash Wednesday and Easter (not counting Sundays). In the early church this time was marked by fasting and other spiritual disciplines as well as a preparation for Holy Baptism which would then take place on the Vigil of Easter (Saturday evening before Easter Sunday). This year at St. John's each week we celebrate Lenten Services on Wednesday nights in our Sanctuary at 7pm as well as our contemporary Lenten Services on Sundays in all three of our auditorium time slots.
Our Lenten Drama 'e-series' is entitled “Have it Your Way” and is a six part adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ “The Great Divorce”. In his book, Lewis rejects the idea that good and evil all depend on your “point of view”. He tactfully reveals the truth and how it challenges the focus of sinful thoughts and actions. Each story reveals the gracious invitation from God to man to come into a life that is abundant and free.
The fictional tale supposes that those people currently occupying hell or the "grey town" are granted a one day pass to visit the foothills or 'borders' of heaven. There they encounter a  world so much more solid and real and bright than anything they have experienced. They have a choice to stay and become more ‘solid’. They are greeted by benevolent residents of Heaven who wish to help them stay and journey with them on the road to the mountains and Deeper Heaven, where they encounter the heavenly saints who invite them to leave their place of torment and join in the glory of heaven. Sadly, we see characters say 'no' to God's invitation to let go of evil, which leaves God to say to them, "Have it Your Way". Lewis cites a reference to Milton's "Paradise Lost" describing the attitude of these decisions as "Better to reign in hell than to serve in heaven".
Each story reveals truths about God, us, and our views. We ask you to join us on this journey and we pray that each week God's invitation to heaven which is given through His Son Jesus would stir us to say, "Not my way, Lord, but Thy will be done!"
Please join us for worship each week!
Blessings,
Pastor Chris Singer, Executive Pastor
Mignon Whitaker, Have it Your Way Writer and Director
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