The End of Prayer: Praise (Psalm 150)

We wrap up our series on prayer by examining what all prayer is meant to drive us towards: PRAISE! Does that word describe your prayers?

• The End of Prayer: Praise (Psalm 150) – Ryan Sutherland 
  (Click here for download instructions)

How to Pray the Psalms (Ps. 64)

The Psalter was the original Prayer Book for the people of God. But few of us know how to use them in our praying. This sermon will help you utilize the Psalms in your prayers.

• How to Pray the Psalms (Psalm 64) – Christian Cryder
  (Click here for download instructions)

What is Lent?

Today is the beginning of the season of Lent. It isn't just for Catholics, and it's not all about giving stuff up. So what is it, then?

For a lot of Christians, even those in liturgical traditions, Lent can be something of a mystery – we tend to think it's all about sin and guilt, wearing ashes on our foreheads, or eating fish on Fridays. Many find they are strangely attracted to Lent, but know little about the season. Here at All Souls, we think it's worth exploring.

For 40 days leading up to Easter (not counting Sundays), the church has traditionally celebrated the season of Lent, with a focus on repentance, prayer, and our dependence on the grace of God. “Celebrating” may seem like a strange word to use in this context, but it's a way of centering our minds and preparing our hearts as we contemplate the death and resurrection of Jesus.

The word Lent comes from the ancient Germanic word for “springtime,” and is often seen as a time for “spiritual spring cleaning”: a time for taking inventory and cleaning out things which may get in the way of our relationship with Jesus.

Why 40 days? To remind us of the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness, being tempted by the devil, fasting, praying, and preparing for his ministry here on earth. Jesus' life was full of simplicity and sacrifice; these are ideals we strive for all our lives, but focus on during Lent, just as we celebrate Christ's resurrection every Sunday but focus on it at Easter. (This is why Sundays are typically not numbered in the 40 days of Lent – they are set aside as feast days, for celebrating the risen Jesus!)

Many Christians choose to voluntarily “give something up” for Lent, like a habit or a favorite food, or to add something to their daily routine, like morning devotions or volunteering in the community. No, this practice is not laid out in the Bible, nor is it necessary in order for you to “get something out” of Lent. It's just a way of reinforcing the significance of the season, and keeping our eyes on Jesus.

The way to Easter is the way of the cross. Celebrating the season of Lent serves to remind us of the words of Jesus in Mathew 16:24: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” 

Here at All Souls, we see Lent as a great way for us to focus on Christ and identify with Christians around the world and throughout the ages. In the words of Thomas Howard, “To move through the disciplines in company with millions and millions of other believers all over the world is a profoundly instructive thing.” 

So there you have it. Lent has officially begun. It's a great time to slow down, to consider what our relationship with God looks like, and to reflect on how we can love and serve him better in our everyday lives. We invite you to join us in observing Lent this year!

Forgiveness as Fuel for Prayer (Lk 7:36-50)

Are you someone who can't seem to forgive other? Who struggles to forgive yourself? Find out why forgiveness is so hard, why it's so vital, and how to become a great forgiver.

• Forgiveness as Fuel for Prayer (Lk 7:36-50) – Christian Cryder
  (Click here for download instructions)

Ash Wesnesday Service

Want to experience a Christian tradition that is more than a thousand years old? Join us for a short, contemplative Ash Wednesday Service this Wednesday morning at 7 AM @ the Downtown Dance Collective (121 W Main). This is a great way to begin exploring the season of Lent. We will be done by 7:40 AM. Contact Christian (529-5568) or Ryan (529-2468) if you have questions.

A Party for St. Patrick

Admit it: there's times you wish you were Irish. But alas you're not (and hey, you probably wouldn't like tripe anyway). So cheer up and make the best of it - come join us for our third year running as we hoist a pint in honor of St. Patrick and make fish and chips together.

This year we're doing something special - we're celebrating the success of All Souls Ale and Imagine Missoula, and what better place to do that than at Big Sky Brewing Taproom! Join us in the bowels of the brewery - there will be live music, great food and drink, and plenty of interesting friends (assuming you show up, of course).

Here's the skinny:

WHEN: Friday, March 18, from 6-10 PM
WHERE: @ the Big Sky Brewing Taproom out by the airport (directions)
WHAT TO BRING: a healthy appetite, a hearty thirst!

Kids are welcome, and so are friends! Please RSVP if you're coming (so we know how much food to prepare). And help us spread the word!

See you soon!
Christian and Ryan

We Need Your Help!

Hey friends. As Ryan and I have sat down and worked on the schedule for the next couple of weeks... yowza. We need some help...

1. A Party for St. Patrick - Our famous fish and chips fry. Big Sky Brewery has offered to host it (in the actually brewery, woo hoo) - but we're going to need some serious help w/ setup, w/ food prep, w/ cooking, w/ cleanup. If you're available Friday, March 18 and would like to help, could you please email Ryan so we can start building a list.
   
   
2. Ash Wednesday - We'll be offering our yearly Ash Wednesday service next Wed from 7 - 7:30 AM at the Downtown Dance Collective. Small, intimate, reflective... it's a great way to mark the beginning of Lent. We could really use 2-3 people to hang fliers downtown / on campus by this Saturday - contact Christian (529-5568) ASAP.
   
   
3. Woman w/ car trouble - we're trying to help a woman on disability get her car fixed. She has an estimate from a shop. I need someone who can meet w/ her, validate the need (eg. look at the estimate), and contact the shop to figure out how to get them the check from All Souls for repairs. Probably won't take more than an hour total - contact Christian (529-5568).
   
   
4. Weekly updates - Amy's lack of internet connectivity is making it difficult for her to send out the weekly updates; she's looking for someone else to take over this task for a while. Takes about half an hour every week. It's not difficult, but it does take some decent writing ability and attention to detail. Want to help us out in this way - contact Amy / Shanequa (546-3158).
   
   
5. Morning Prayers - we'll be starting up again during Lent! I'd like to find 2 additional houses to host these small, intimate prayers times (we'd like to offer them at 4 different locations this time, each on a different morning). Want to host - contact Christian (529-5568).
   
   
6. Meals for Moms - Nina could really use some more help lining up meals for a brand new single mom - "We need more meals folks and she agreed, if we can, to let us get a bed (for her) and sheets, and a diaper pail, and some light bulbs. We also need folks who can run errands for her once in a while." Want to help out - contact Nina (546-4697).
   

Every single one of these things is a tangible way to love our city. If everyone pitches in it'll be a piece of cake. If not, it's going to be hard. Would you consider helping?

Thanks so much!
Christian

The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:5-15)

Every great religious teacher has taught his disciples about prayer. When Jesus' disciples asked him how to engage this paramount practice, he gave them "the Lord's Prayer," (Our Father, who art in heaven...). "REALLY! That's what we should pray?" How do we actually pray through this and what is Jesus trying to communicate in this prayer?

• The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:5-15) – Christian Cryder
  (Click here for download instructions)