We have a number of gatherings available as we journey through the Lenten season toward Holy Week and Easter. We will be focusing on the meaning of Holy Communion throughout the season. All are welcome to join us at any or all of these events!

Preparation

Our annual Mardi Gras Pancake Dinner at 5pm on February 17th in Truesdale Hall. Join us for food, fellowship, and a final preparation for the Lenten season.

The Sanctuary will be open for prayer all day on Ash Wednesday, February 18th. There will be materials available near the altar to offer inspiration.

We will be offering ashes-to-go at the Scott St. door from 12pm to 2pm. Stop by on your lunch break—you don’t even have to leave your car if it’s cold! You are also welcome to attend the worship service at 7pm at Mayville UMC (89 S Erie St).

Bible Study

We have two Bible studies available for you during this Lenten season:

Here at Hurlbut, we will be gathering on Tuesdays at 6:15pm for a study called This Holy Mystery. We will be discussing the meaning of Holy Communion in our United Methodist tradition, alongside the themes of the sermon series for each week. The study gathers in Truesdale Hall and on Zoom.

Several of our local United Methodist churches are also gathering together for a cooperative study on Wednesdays at 3:30pm (except Ash Wednesday). This study is called The Power of Knowing God and examines what it means to truly know God and be changed by that relationship. Sessions will be taught by Tyler Nelson of Ripley and Watts Flats UMCs and will take place at Westfield UMC (101 E Main St).

Both studies will run about an hour per session. You need not have attended a previous session to join. All are welcome!

Holy Week

We will gather at 7pm on Maundy Thursday, April 2nd, for Holy Communion as we enter the Great Three Days commemorating Christ’s passion & death.

Immediately following the service, our annual Prayer Vigil begins. You may sign up for an hour to pray at the church or at home, as we watch and wait with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.

The prayer vigil will end with our 7pm Good Friday service on April 3rd. This year, we will be listening to the full account of the passion as narrated by John. The story will be accompanied by music and visual art and will end in darkness.

Easter

All are invited to dress warm and gather with us at Palestine Park for our Easter Sunrise Vigil. We will gather at 7am on April 5th around the firepit (I promise there will actually be fire this year) to hear the history of God’s saving deeds, culminating in this great moment of triumphant love.

And, as always, our usual morning worship service at 10:45am will feature Easter hymns, festive flowers, and Holy Communion as we celebrate the Resurrection.