The Lenten season, beginning today with Ash Wednesday services, is the perfect time for various Christian denominations to join in worship, said the Rev. Rob Erickson, pastor at First Presbyterian Church.
In its fifth year, Community Tuesday Lenten Services will be hosted in Jefferson City by the downtown pastor's fellowship Feb. 16 through March 22.
This year, the six events will be hosted by Central United Church of Christ, at the corner of Washington and Ashley streets in Old Munichburg.
"They're across Whitton Expressway from downtown, but we're still hoping people will come out," Erickson said.
Up to 50 people have attended the noon worship service, followed by a meal at 12:30 p.m.
"I attended each and was truly blessed with new insights every week," a thankful visitor wrote to a participating pastor. "The services enhanced the season for me and prepared me for Easter. I enjoyed meeting new folks and reconnecting with some I had not seen in a while."
The services are open to anyone, not just members of the participating congregations, Erickson emphasized.
Members of First Presbyterian have said they enjoy the chance to hang out with their neighbors from other denominations while worshipping together.
"Lent is the perfect time to do that," Erickson said.
While the Advent season can be distracted with commercialism, Lent is still a time Christians may claim to prepare their common faith.
Denominations may vary on how they are governed or pieces of theology. However, what they all agree on "is Jesus Christ is the center of their faith," Erickson said.
"This is the perfect time for churches to be together and to prepare."
This year's theme is "Who is Jesus to you?" and will look at the "I am" sayings of Jesus, he said.
Congregations have partnered to provide the music and teaching as well as the following meal for a day.
"It's neat to have churches sharing the worship and complementing each others gifts," Erickson said.
Lenten Services
Community Tuesday Lenten Services, hosted in Jefferson City by the downtown pastors fellowship, will begin at noon each Tuesday, Feb. 16 through March 22, at Central United Church of Christ, corner of Washington and Ashley streets.
The theme is "Who is Jesus to you?" and a meal will follow at 12:30 p.m.
The weekly topics and sponsoring churches are:
• Feb. 16 - Matthew 16:13-16 "Who do you say that I am?" by Central United Church of Christ
• Feb. 23 - John 10:7-10 "I am the gate ..." by First United Methodist Church and Familia Cristiana Internacional
• March 1 - John 14:5-7 "I am the way, the truth and the life ..." by Second Baptist Church
• March 8 - John 10:11-13 "I am the good shepherd ..." by First Baptist Church and Joshua House Church
• March 15 - Matthew 8:12 "I am the light of the world" by First Christian Church and Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church
• March 22 - Holy Tuesday Revelation 1:8 "I am the alpha and omega" by First Presbyterian Church and St. Peter Catholic Church