HOPE, PROMISE, and the PRESENCE OF GOD
We now enter our second season of Lent hunkered down under the cloud of a pandemic that has brought loss, suffering, and confusion to each of our lives. Daily living has become much more challenging than ever before. But in this season of Lent 2021, there is Hope. There is Promise. And, as always, there is the Presence of God.
Lent is meant to be a time of personal sacrifice with a focus on simple living, prayer, and fasting in order to grow closer to God. During Lent, some people feel called to set aside longer periods of time each day to delve deeper into God’s Word or for extended prayer and meditation.
These devotions were prayerfully written for this purpose. The writers were asked to read and study their appointed Scriptures. Then to prayerfully listen to God’s message in those words. And then finally, to share that message from God in each writer’s own voice.
We ask you to do the same with each day’s devotion. Set aside a special time to read the Scriptures noted. Then read the words which follow that Scripture and seek how God is speaking to you through the writer’s experiences. Feel free to linger in prayer while adding your own praises to God for all the Most Holy has provided.
You will notice that email addresses are included at the end of each devotion. Consider these addresses as your invitation to personally thank each writer for their work and dedication to God’s service.
May you continue to feel the Hope, Promise, and the Presence of God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God bless you, Sisters and Brothers of the West Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church.
Follow this link to download all of the devotions in a booklet format.

Margaret VanZandt Harrison
Western District

Becky Adkins
Greenbrier District

Rachel Flynn Fulton
Potomac Highlands District

Patsy Flensborg
Little Kanawha District

First Sunday of Lent
February 21
Laura Malone
Midland South District

Angela Jones
Midland South District

Eva Hensley Faulkner
Southern District

Mary M. Thomas
Southern District

Ken Shanes
MonValley District

Cheryl L. Davis
Midland South District

Margaret Reichenbecher
Western District

Second Sunday of Lent
February 28
Ellen Hartsog
Southern District

Jane Arnold
Potomac Highlands District

Judy Farley
MonValley District

Bill Elkins
Western District

Brenda Hunt
MonValley District

Fourth Sunday of Lent
March 14
Debbi Pettus
Southern District

Rich Shaffer
Little Kanawha District

Jennifer Clark
Midland South District

Julie L. Greynolds
Wesleyan District

Sue Dostal
Western District

Ellen Krimmel
Southern District

Judi McCracken
MonValley District

Maundy Thursday
April 1
Carolyn Nichols
Wesleyan District

Good Friday
April 2
Lloyd (Jay) Phillips
Northern District

Holy Saturday
April 3
Rita C. McVey
Southern District

Jane Ensminger
MonValley District