CLIMBING THE LADDER, PLANTING SEEDS
What is "Good Enough"?
As we ease back into a hopefully more “normal” existence in regards to the pandemic, we are looking forward to the return of our Wednesday evening Lenten Suppers and congregational singing in worship! Our Lenten theme is “Good Enough” and is based on a worship series by Dr Marcia McFee with Worship Design Studio.
How are you feeling these days? As expectations again creep up, nudging us toward a vision of a “good life” as defined by our society, the exhaustion is real. As Dr. McFee says, “We live in a culture bent on definitions of a good life as continuous upward mobility–climbing ladders of prosperity with increasingly fabulous experiences that we can post to ever-more-likable social media accounts. We may comb the shelves of the self-help section in search of just the right formula to gain success. Perhaps we even gravitate towards spiritual leaders who promise great rewards if we only do “the right thing.” But life happens, right? Most times we are not moving upward but trying to repair the rung we’ve just slipped from. So what if we stopped climbing and started fertilizing, watering, and blooming right where we find ourselves? Welcome to a Lent of affirming a faith in which we are blessed, regardless, and where we can lean into embracing our “good enough” lives”.
This worship series is based on Kate Bowler’s new devotional book, Good Enough: 40ish Devotionals for a Life of Imperfection, written with Jessica Richie. We will study this book during our Wednesday night Lenten Dinner and Study. You may order your copies here or call the church office at 245-5818 if you would like us to order one for you. You can also purchase the audio book here and listen to an excerpt of the book.
Each week we will be focusing on a concept from the book. We invite you to use it as a daily devotional, with the exception of Sundays, reading one devotional a day, starting at Ash Wednesday. At our first session on March 9, we will discuss some of the devotionals from the first 44 pages of the book (through “Asleep on the Job),” but please come even if you have not had a chance to read. Dinner, provided by our Hospitality Committee, will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the study at 6 p.m.
If would like a Lenten reflection companion guide, click here: https://katebowler.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Lenten-Good-Enough-Guide-1.pdf
LENTEN SCHEDULE
Worship Services, Supper and Study, A Place at the Table Discussions
March 9: Lenten Supper and Study
5:30 - 6 p.m. - dinner
6-7 p.m. - Good Enough: 40ish Devotionals for a Life of Imperfection, pages 1-44
March 13: So much is out of our control.
9 and 11 a.m. - Worship
7 - 8:30 p.m. - Place at the Table Series: Anthony Curtis, Executive Director of Metro Housing Coalition, and other local experts on current challenges of homelessness and affordable housing in Louisville.
March 16: Lenten Supper and Study
5:30 - 6 p.m. - dinner
6-7 p.m. - Good Enough: 40ish Devotionals for a Life of Imperfection, pages 45-78
Len
March 20: Lots of things can be medicine.
9 and 11 a.m. - Worship
7 - 8:30 p.m. Place at the Table Series: Local experts, including representatives from the JCPS Division of Diversity, Equity and Poverty and Dwight Bransford, Head of the West End School, on effects of poverty and racial disparities in education.
March 23: Lenten Supper and Study
5:30 - 6 p.m. - dinner
6-7 p.m. - Good Enough: 40ish Devotionals for a Life of Imperfection, pages 79-110
March 27: We often believe we are the problem.
9 and 11 a.m. - Worship
7 - 8:30 p.m. Place at the Table Series: Local experts, including representatives from the Louisville Center for Health Equity and the Norton Healthcare Institute for Health Equity, discuss effects of race and poverty on healthcare access.
March 30- Lenten Supper and Study
5:30 - 6 p.m. - dinner
6-7 p.m. - Good Enough: 40ish Devotionals for a Life of Imperfection, pages 116-149
Imperfection, pages 116-149
April 3: We are fragile.
9 and 11 a.m. - Worship
April 10: Palm/Passion Sunday - You are a group project.
11 a.m. Worship (only one service)