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