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Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Today we begin the 40 days of preparation for Easter.  Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season that follows is a time of repentance, prayer, reflection and decision.  We repent of the sins and deeds we have done which have caused a tear in the fabric of relationships with God and one another.  We pray and reflect upon the things that we have done and the things we have failed to do for justice and righteousness in this world.  We decide to take action that reflects a better way of life and living our faith.

Come to worship Ash Wednesday at noon or 7:00 pm.  My sermon entitled, "Why Repent: I am UCC?" begins my sermon series "Questions My Father Asked Me."  

Growing up, my father seemed larger than life. He was editor of Youth Magazine, a nationally recognized Christian youth magazine serving an ecumenical community from the 1950s to the mid-1980s. Although not seminary-trained, my father, Dr. Herman C. Ahrens, Jr., was the oldest son of a pastor and a man I call one of the greatest “natural theologians” I have had the joy of knowing.

Late last year, a year in which my dad battled through cancer, I received a letter from him. It was alive with reflections and questions of the faith. Now 83 years old, his mind is still alive, active and young. I have taken questions he asked (and questions I “intuited”) and formulated the following Lenten/Easter Sermon Series for First Church. I hope these questions are relevant for you in your walk with God. Please join me each week during Lent as I preach at 9 and 11 a.m. and explore questions my father asked me.

  • Ash Wednesday, February 6: Why Repent?: I am UCC?
  • February 10: The Prodigal Son found in Luke 15:11-32, How Do I Live My Faith In My Family?
  • February 17: What Are The Key Teachings In The Bible?
  • February 24: Youth Sunday - The youth of First Church will ask and answer the questions!
  • March 2: How Do I Know the Life I Live And The Decisions I Make Are According to God’s Will?
  • March 9: Who Is God?
  • March 16: Palm Sunday - Who Is Jesus?
  • March 23: Easter Sunday - What Is Heaven Like?
  • March 30: Is Doubting Faith Wrong If We Are Truly Seeking Truth For Our Lives?

 There are also three book studies going on during Lent:

  • The Gnostic Gospels which I lead on the first and third Wednesdays of each month.
  • Tuesdays at First each week beginning February 12 at 11:00am with Pam Kallner.  She will examine Faith and Politics.
     
  • A book study that examines Henri Nouwen's Book on the Prodigal Son.  This begins on Friday night February 15th in neighborhood groups throughout the city.  Contact the church office - 228-1741 for more details on how to sign-up.

We welcome our newest staff member on February 15.  Rev. Lori Tisher joins us as our Youth and Young Adult Minister.  She has already moved to Columbus and is getting acclimated now.  Welcome Lori.

I am sorry to inform you that Celestine Clarke died on Sunday, February 3rd.  She was 96 1/2 years young.  Her funeral service will be Friday, February 8th at 11:00am at church.  Her daughter, Emily Davidson and her sister, will receive guests in the parlor from 10-11am. 

William Heer, II died on January 28th.  Bill was 86 1/2 years old and had been a member here for 76 years.  A graveside service was held on Friday, February 1.  A memorial service is being planned for early next week.  Stay tuned for more details.  Please keep the Heer family in your prayers.  

We lift up prayers for Grace Glaros who is to be born to Lauren and Chris Glaros and brother Lincoln as soon as this Wednesday.  Please hold them all in your prayers.  Also prayers for Megan McCabe who will be in surgery this Friday. 

May God bless you and keep you as we all enter the season of Lent.

Love in Christ,

Tim Ahrens