Introduction to our Lenten Series:
Battling our Spiritual Strongholds
No one likes the feeling of being trapped, whether it’s in traffic or in a more difficult situation – usually we will try desperately to get free! In our spiritual lives, we may not be readily aware of it, but we often find ourselves trapped, caught in cycles we can’t get out of, caught under pressure we can’t remove. The worst part though, is often these places we are trapped are strongholds of our own creation. We readily maintain them, we build them up, and we might even pretend they make us safe! God’s desire is for us to be free from these strongholds and to give us a true place of safety in Him.
Does a stronghold come to mind for you as I share that description? If you’re honest, do you struggle with control, pride, bitterness, shame, guilt, scarcity, or despair? It is likely these strongholds aren’t just subjects we struggle with in our minds, but they have a way of affecting and damaging our whole life. This Lenten Season, during our Wednesday Lenten Series, we are standing strong in the words of 2 Corinthians 10, which tells us in Christ, we have to power to battle against these strongholds in our lives by God’s grace, power, and wisdom. I invite you each to join us Ash Wednesday on February 18th at 6:30 PM as we begin our series with a moving service of reflection and repentance. I invite you to “wage war” against any strongholds in your life this Lenten Season knowing you do not battle alone, but Christ fights for you and with you too. I look forward to this season together with you, as we grow, as we learn, and as we focus our hearts upon our victorious Savior.
Pastor Alliyah Blakeley
Lenten & Holy Week Schedule
Feb 18 – Ash Wednesday – Stronghold of Shame (Service 6:30 pm)
Feb 25 – Stronghold of Confusion & Deception (Meal 5:45, Service 6:30 pm)
Mar 4 – Stronghold of Scarcity & Isolation (Meal 5:45, Service 6:30 pm)
Mar 11 – Stronghold of Unforgiveness & Bitterness (Meal 5:45, Service 6:30 pm)
Mar 18 – Stronghold of Pride & Control (Meal 5:45, Service 6:30 pm)
Mar 25 – Stronghold of Despair (Meal 5:45, Service 6:30 pm)
Mar 29 – Palm Sunday (9 am)
Apr 2 – Maundy Thursday (Service 6:30 pm)
Apr 3 – Good Friday (Service 6:30 pm)
Apr 5 – Easter Sunday (9 am)
Begin to make plans now to attend Lent and
Holy Week Celebrating the Victory of Jesus Christ.
Join us this Lenten Season as we inspect the strongholds in our life, and the better place of strength found in God’s Grace. This year’s series is “Battling Our Spiritual Strongholds” - it will offer something for each of us. Are you suffering from the stronghold of shame, confusion, bitterness, despair, control?
Join us Wednesdays in Lent for our services at 6:30 PM to take part in this compelling series as we tear these strongholds down together through Jesus Christ!
Lenten Resources
Lenten Journals are available to be picked up at church to reflect on the learnings from our Lenten Sermon Series. And Lenten Devotionals are available at thenalc.org/lent.
Lenten Meals
The worship team needs your help – if you would be willing to prepare one of the Lenten Meals this season, please sign up with the list at our Lenten Table. And plan on joining us for food and fellowship starting February 25 on Wednesdays in Lent at 5:45 pm.
Holy Week
Holy Week brings us face to face with our sin and the power of the cross and ends at the empty tomb where we hear the good news of Jesus Christ!
Join us for a week of dynamic worship services this year for Holy Week and hear how you are part of this wonderful story.
Palm Sunday (Mar. 29 at 9 am) - We remember Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem. We wave our own palm branches in praise. Then we remember the horror of the crucifixion.
Maundy Thursday (Apr 2 at 6:30 pm) - We remember the night in which Jesus was betrayed when the disciples first shared Holy Communion with him, and when he gave them a final command - to love their neighbor as he had loved them. Join us as we come to the same table and hear the same command.
Good Friday (Apr 3 at 6:30 pm) - We gather now at the foot of the cross on which the salvation of the world was won. This moving service is not to be missed, for here Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice, and here our lives were won forever.
Easter Sunday (Apr 5) - At 8 am we gather in the cemetery for a brief remembrance of the gospel. At 8:15 am join us in the Parish Hall for a light brunch and fellowship. At 9 am join us for our full worship service in the Sanctuary.