Spiritual Growth Opportunities for Lent

February 22 – April 9, 2023

Lent is a wonderful opportunity for self-reflection, sacrifice, and other ways to grow spiritually. This year’s season of Lent begins on February 22 with Ash Wednesday, and continues until Easter Sunday, April 9.

Monaca UMC is offering many opportunities to deepen your relationship with God this Lent, from special worship services and events, to an adult Bible study, to kids’ confirmation classes. Please consider participating in one or more of the following activities:

• Ash Wednesday Worship – Wednesday, February 22 @ 7pm

Ash Wednesday worship will be held at Aliquippa First UMC (2816 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa, PA 15001) this year. Pastor Jim will officiate and implement ashes. No registration necessary.

• Youth Confirmation Classes – Saturdays, February 25-April 8 @ 10am

Pastor Jim will hold confirmation classes at Monaca UMC for children ages 12+ (6^th Grade & up). Please call or text Pastor Jim at (724) 833-1963 to sign up.

• Refresh & Recharge: Lent Edition – Thursday, March 2 @ 7pm

Monaca UMC will hold a Lent edition of our Refresh & Recharge service. Take an hour for self-reflection with inspiring music interspersed with scripture and prayer. For this edition, participants can choose a nail to represent their sins and lay it down at the cross, as Jesus laid down his life to save us from those sins. No registration necessary.

• Adult Bible Study – Tuesdays, March 7-April 4 @ 1pm

Pastor Jim will lead a Bible study for adults on Tuesdays, starting March 7. No registration necessary. Bring your print or electronic Bible and, if desired, a method to take notes.

• Adult Membership Class – Saturday, April 1 @ 9am

Adults interested in becoming a member of Monaca UMC or Aliquippa First UMC are welcome to attend an informational session on Saturday, April 1 @ 9am at Aliquippa First UMC (2816 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa, PA 15001). Individuals who are currently members of a different United Methodist Church and interested in transferring their membership are invited as well.

If you are interested in membership but unable to attend the April 1st session, please call or text Pastor Jim at (724) 833-1963 to schedule a different time.

No registration is necessary. Please contact Pastor Jim for more information.

• Maundy Thursday Service and Seder – Thursday, April 6 @ 5:30pm

The annual Maundy Thursday service and seder is being held at Monaca UMC this year. Pastor Jim will lead worship in the Sanctuary, followed by a Christian variation of the Passover Seder in the Carey Center. The Seder will conclude with Communion and “the feast” – a potluck dinner! Please sign up in the church lobby or by contacting us.

• Palm Sunday Worship – Sunday, April 2 @ 11am

Our traditional Palm Sunday worship service – which commemorates Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem where he was greeted by people waving palm branches – serves as a reminder of our welcoming Jesus into our hearts and of our willingness to follow him. On April 2nd we will also celebrate the baptism of a young lady in our congregation.

• Easter Sunday Worship – Sunday, April 9 @ 11am

Our traditional Easter Sunday worship service, celebrating Jesus’ victory over death and welcoming anyone who has completed membership classes to become new church members.

Please call the church office at (724) 775-6702 or email monacaumc@gmail.com for more information on any of these activities.