April 2026
How’s your Lent been?
I’m asking because I’m curious. I’d like to know how your Lent has been?
Like many Lenten seasons prior to this, I scheduled things I was giving up and the things I was going to start doing too heavily, so a few dropped off along the way. I tend to do that sometimes but, there were still a few lessons I learned as a result. I found out there are things I’ve missed, things I over-do, and things I don’t miss. I’ll address just the first two since the third is part of my Lenten discipline this year.
So, tell me how has your Lent been?
As I’m writing this, we are approaching Palm Sunday, which is the beginning of Holy Week, where each church will have added activities as the season culminates: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunrise service, and regular Easter Sunday morning services. Each is unique: handwashing and communion with a seder meal; a cross walk where people journey with each other taking turns carrying the cross; a sunrise service with breakfast; and special features for the regular Sunday services.
As I reflect back on Lent this year, we completed Emotionally Healthy Spirituality for the groups in each of the churches, and confirmation class in Frontenac will be over the Wednesday before Easter, with students being confirmed in Frontenac the first Sunday after Easter. It’s been fun getting to know Easton, Stanson, and Max, this year, along with their families. I’m honored to say I’m part of their respective journeys.
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, however, was never meant to be a Lenten course. I’d had another Lenten course scheduled but no one signed up for it, and that’s OK. I had my hands full between confirmation, the EHS that went into Lent and everything else I’ve had going on.
So, how’s your Lent been this year?
And I hope folks have appreciated the Sunday messages during Lent this year in spite of my Nebraska accent. I’ve enjoyed researching, writing and sharing them, whether in worship or on each church’s Facebook page. Even though I didn’t preach the fifth Sunday of Lent since I was with the confirmation students and their families in KC, I still wrote a sermon and shared it on Facebook.
So, tell me how has your Lent been?
One thing I learned this Lent was that I needed to streamline two of my daily devotional times because I have felt a bit neglectful with one and overwhelmed by the other, while I felt the one I’d neglected was because I had gotten away from doing, I really enjoy doing: writing devotions. I’m glad I reclaimed that devotional time. I’ve missed writing those devotions. If folks want, I would be happy to share them as short, daily devotions you either read via email or watch on Facebook. Just let me know. They all center around the vision I felt God gave me a few years ago for Awe-ha and Light: a family system ministry with the poor, addicts, and those struggling with mental health.
Are there things you miss? How’s your Lent been?
Another thing I realized just last week before the KC trip was how I must be mindful of not over-doing or over-functioning because when any person over-functions, their behavior gives others permission to under-function, and that’s not good for anyone. Being mindful of it – and my tendency for it – is a gift I will learn my way into.
So, there you have April’s pedalings, folks. So, let me ask again: How’s your Lent been? Until next month, just keep on pedaling. Pastor Mark
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UPCOMING EVENTS
April 1 9:00 – 10:00, K-State Program Walk with Ease#
10:00 Ladies Exercise Class*
TBA – Confirmation Class in the Afternoon – Early School Release Day
April 2 6:00 pm Maundy Thursday @ AUMC with Passover Meal, Handwashing
and Communion
April 3 2:00 pm Good Friday Cross Walk Observance @ FUMC
April 5 7:00 am Sunrise Service & Breakfast @ AUMC
9:30 am Easter Service and Easter Egg Hunt for Children
April 12 Confirmation Sunday – Fellowship Following
April 25 9:00 – 3:00 Small Church Advantage Workshop at Wesley UMC
in Parsons
April 27 5:15 Kids First Board Meeting
6:15 Administrative Board Meeting
#*. Other Walk with Ease & Ladies Exercise Class Dates: 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27 & 29
APRIL BIRTHDAYS
April 1 Jessica Marvel April 12 Sandra Frasco
April 4 Abby Albright April 13 Jana Hartshorn
April 4 Jeff Stotts April 18 Joel Emerson
April 8 Cleo Natalini April 18 Bobby Gardullo
April 8 Frances Hamm April 23 Mike McCartney
April 9 Michael Natalini April 28 Stephanie Drake
April 10 Kaycie McGowen
CONFIRMATION SUNDAY
April 12th will be Confirmation Sunday. We have three who will have completed the confirmation class requirements and be confirmed into the United Methodist Church:
Easton Clemensen, son of Jason and Pam Clemensen
Stanson Lillich, son of Fred and Julie Lillich
Max Morris, son of Troy Morris and Jennifer Morris
Following the service, we will have a fellowship time in their honor.
HAPPY EASTER TO EVERYONE!!!
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SPECIAL LENTEN AND EASTER SERVICES
Thursday, April 2, 6:00 pm Maundy Thursday Service at Arma UMC
To include a Passover Meal, Handwashing and Communion
(congregations from both churches are invited to participate)
Friday, April 4, 2:00 Good Friday Cross Walk Observance at FUMC
(congregations from both churches are invited to participate)
Sunday, April 5 , 7:00 am Sunrise Easter Service and then Breakfast at Arma UMC
Sunday, April 5, 9:30 am Easter Sunday Worship Service at Frontenac UMC
with Easter Egg Hunt for youth
Sunday, April 5, 11:00 am Easter Sunday Worship Service at Arma UMC