The Christian season of Lent is quickly approaching.
Encompassing the 40 days between Ash Wednesday (March 9) through
Easter (April 24), Lent was traditionally a time of penitence and
self-sacrifice.
Today however, in addition to this traditional purpose, the
emphasis is often put on increasing knowledge of the Christian
faith and improving personal spirituality. A Lenten program being
offered by Gilroy’s St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church will help in
both these areas.
The Christian season of Lent is quickly approaching. Encompassing the 40 days between Ash Wednesday (March 9) through Easter (April 24), Lent was traditionally a time of penitence and self-sacrifice.
Today however, in addition to this traditional purpose, the emphasis is often put on increasing knowledge of the Christian faith and improving personal spirituality. A Lenten program being offered by Gilroy’s St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church will help in both these areas.
For six Monday evenings beginning on March 14, parishioners and the public are invited to meet in the parish hall (651 Broadway St., Gilroy) to study “The Purpose Driven Life,” by the Rev. Rick Warren, pastor of the famous Saddleback Church in Lake Forest. This book has sold more than 25 million copies and has had an influence upon millions of readers across the country since its publication in 2002.
While most self-help books suggest readers find the meaning of life through examining themselves, Warren suggests something different: “You must begin with God, your creator, and his reasons for creating you. You were made for God, and until you understand that, life will never make sense.
” ‘The Purpose Driven Life” will help you understand why you are alive and God’s amazing plan for you, both here and now and for eternity. This series will guide you through a personal 40-day spiritual journey that will transform your answer to life’s most important question: What on earth am I here for? Knowing God’s purpose for creating you will reduce your stress, focus your energy, simplify your decisions, give meaning to your life and prepare you for eternity.”
Copies of the book are available at no charge from the church office (from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday), the adjacent Resource Center (from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday) or by calling Tom Olcott at (408) 847-8294. Participants will read one chapter per day at home and then come to the Monday evening sessions to view a presentation on the material and to discuss what they have read. Childcare will be provided as requested beforehand.
Each session will follow this format:
– 6 p.m.: Free supper
– 7 p.m.: Video featuring Rick Warren
– 8 p.m.: Small group discussion facilitated by trained leaders. Each meeting will end before 9 p.m.
The Monday sessions will investigate these themes:
– March 14: Introduction, What on earth am I here for?
– March 21: Worship, You were planned for God’s pleasure
– March 28: Fellowship, You were formed for God’s family
– April 4: Discipleship, You were created to become like Christ
– April 11: You were shaped for serving God
– April 16: Mission, You were made for a mission.
These themes studied during Monday’s sessions will be carried through in each Sunday’s sermons during the 8 and 10 a.m. worship services. For information, call Tom Olcott at (408) 847-8294 or the church office at (408) 842-4415.
St. Stephen’s pastor, the Rev. Terry Burley, invites readers to “Take this season to examine your walk with the Lord, to discover His purpose for your life beyond the daily activities we all get caught up in.” He says this is an opportunity even for people who are unsure of their faith to “come and examine it without any feeling of threat or pressure. God loves you and has created you for a purpose.”
St. Stephen’s Church is located at the corner of Wayland Lane and Broadway Street, one block from First Street. The grounds have a peaceful park-like atmosphere, with tall oaks, lawns, shrubs and garden benches.
About a year ago, the parish took action to mark the property as God’s space and to preserve the value of the church grounds as a place of prayer and quiet contemplation. They have added quiet music during the daytime, decorative fences and gates, and the grounds are open between the hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All are welcome.
