Lent is a solemn religious observance that begins on Ash Wednesday and covers the nearly seven weeks (40 days, not counting Sundays) leading up to Easter. Lent is a time of preparation and reflection through prayer, self-denial, and repentance.
WEEKLY WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNER
5:00 – 6:00pm | The Wright Place
Join us for dinner and fellowship with your church family! Dinner can be purchased for $10/adult, $4/child, with a max cost of $27/family.
Daily readings
During the season of Lent, we invite everyone to join us in some daily devotions provided in our conference by our friends at Huntingdon College. The devotion book is called Grace Unfolding: A Journey to Find the Light. Click on the link below to view the PDF.
ash wednesday Services
Morning Ash Wednesday Service
Wednesday, February 18 | 7:30am | Chapel
This 15-minute morning service will take place in the Chapel at 7:30am.
Noon Ash Wednesday Service
Wednesday, February 18 | 12:00pm (30-min) | The Upper Room
In connection with our Respite Ministry, we are offering an accessible 30-minute Ash Wednesday service. This service is open to the community and will offer a judgment-free, safe, and flexible space for those who are unable to sit through a typical worship service. We will have a sermon by Rev. Brennan and music by our music ministry.
Traditional Ash Wednesday Service
Wednesday, February 18 | 6:00pm | Main Sanctuary
The traditional service at 6:00pm in the Main Sanctuary will have a sermon by Rev. Brennan Peacock and music led by the Sanctuary Choir. Please note that there will not be any children’s programming in the evening, however, the nursery will be available for infants – 5 years old. We encourage the whole family to attend the service together!
Wednesday Night Lenten Services
Wednesdays, February 25 – March 25 | 6:00pm | Main Sanctuary
Each of these special 45-minute Lenten Services features a guest speaker from around the United Methodist Conference. We will offer Holy Communion at each of these services. We’ll also have special music each week from our Music Ministry.
Rev. Dan Baughman
Senior Pastor of St. Mark UMC – Pensacola, FL and New Ministry Cultivator for the Panhandle District
Rev. Jennifer Precht
Senior Pastor of Spring Hill Ave UMC – Mobile, AL and New Ministry Cultivator for the Southwest District
MARCH 11
Rev. Chris McCain
Senior Pastor of Grace UMC – Prattville, AL, New Ministry Cultivator for the West-Central District, and Adjunct Professor of Religion at Huntingdon College
MARCH 18
Rev. Todd Dowdy
Senior Pastor of Magnolia UMC – Gulf Shores, AL
MARCH 25
Rev. Tony Jeck
Director of the Auburn Wesley Foundation and New Ministry Cultivator for the Southeast District
Lent for Kids
Wednesdays, February 25 – March 25 | 6:00pm | Chapel
Children (K-5th) will participate in a worship time geared just for them with an activity time to follow. Drop-off in Chapel and Pick-Up in Gym.
Holy Week
Palm Sunday Services
Sunday, March 29 | 8:30, 11:00am, & ICON at 11:00am
First Kids: Palm Sunday Parade & Family Holy Week Program
Sunday, March 29 | 9:45 – 10:45am
All children and parents are invited to participate in this special Palm Sunday event! We will go on a parade through the church halls, then over to Wesley Haven. After our parade, we will all go into the Great Hall for an interactive Holy Week experience. Parents will drop off children in their normal Sunday School room and then line up on the 2nd floor catwalk in the gym.
Easter Egg Hunt & Lunch on the Grounds
Sunday, March 29| Noon | Lawn
All are invited to our annual Easter Egg Hunt! We will enjoy a picnic lunch, egg hunt, games, music, & and fellowship on the FUMC lawn. We are asking our congregation members and all families of children attending to donate a dozen stuffed eggs (no chocolate please) per child. Please have them dropped off in the designated bins by the Sunday before. Make sure to bring your own chair, blanket, & basket! No registration is required (donation accepted).
Labyrinth & Stations of the Cross
Tuesday, March 31 – Thursday, April 2
10:00am – 2:00pm & 4:00 – 6:00pm | The Upper Room
The congregation and community is invited to use this sacred space as an opportunity to focus their hearts and minds on the significance of Holy Week, as we all prepare ourselves for the coming Easter Sunday. This formational opportunity is hosted with Center for Sacred Space.
Journey to the Cross – Holy Week Concert
Tuesday, March 31 | 7:00pm | Main Sanctuary
Join us for a special Holy Week Concert featuring Libby Kephart Hargrave, Mitzi Presley Holt, Heidi Branch, Jennifer DelGallo Taylor, Sam Waite, Ty LoVette, Laura M. Young, Rick Branch, with Repp Weidner. A love offering will be taken for Bright Bridge Ministries.
Passover & Last Supper Remembrance Meal
Thursday, April 2 | 5:30pm | The Wright Place
Click HERE to register by March 30
This special meal is an opportunity to remember and understand what Jesus did with his disciples at the Last Supper. Each of the items arranged on your plate has special significance to the retelling of the story of the exodus from Egypt which is the focus of this ritual meal.
Holy Thursday Service
Thursday, April 2 | 7:00pm | Main Sanctuary
On this night we commemorate the supper Jesus shared with his disciples before his crucifixion, when Jesus washed the disciples’ feet and instituted the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. Join us for a Holy Thursday message, music from the Music Ministry, and Holy Communion.
Good Friday Tenebrae Service
Friday, April 3 | 7:00pm | Main Sanctuary
Tenebrae is a service commemorating the crucifixion. The sanctuary will be dimly lit and we’ll read 16 passages from the passion narrative (Jesus’ journey to the cross) all while candles are extinguished making the sanctuary darker and darker. The service will end in complete darkness and we’ll leave in silence waiting for the joy of Easter Sunday when the light returns.