Visitors, members and friends are always welcome to attend Clark Memorial United Methodist Church on Wednesdays at noon. However, during the Lenten season the United Methodist Women of Clark Memorial, are hosting the Mid-Week Mid-Day Meditation services. These noon services are offered each Wednesday with a word, lunch and music within a 30-minute period in order to accommodate persons coming on their lunch hour. During Lent the services consist of special guest speakers, guest music and a special lunch prepared by various ministries of the church.
Lent began with Ash Wednesday, March 5 and lasts during the 40 days prior to Easter Sunday. While Clark has traditionally celebrated Lent in this way, “This year’s Lenten presentations will be a little different,” said long-time member of Clark, and current chair of the United Methodist Women, Newtonia Coleman. “We have different leaders in place, such as Music Director Paula Holmes along with a different list of luncheon hosts.” She noted that these changes make the music selection different as well as the lunch menus.
Rev. Dr. Herbert Lester, Jr., senior pastor of Clark kicked off the Lenten Meditation at noon and at a joint Ash Wednesday service at Gordon Memorial UMC. As people ‘give up’ something during 40 days of Lent, Rev. Lester reminded listeners to give up three things of self—selfishness, self-centeredness, and those things that create self-destruction. Both services offered the imposition of ashes on the forehead, “from dust we came and to dust we shall return.
On March 13, Rev. Deborah Owens was the special guest speaker. Remaining speakers during the Lenten season at noon are as follows:
March 20: Rev. Marie King; March 27: Rev. Cynthia Wilson; April 3: Dr. Princilla Evans Morris; April 10: Rev. Kennard Murray; and April 17: Janice Woodard.
“We are excited about this Lent season as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ with new ideas in Bible studies and other ministries in our church,” said Grace Brady, Church Council Chair.
At the end of the Lenten season, Clark Memorial will celebrate Easter on Sunday morning at 10 am.
Clark Memorial UMC is located at 1014 14th Ave. N. For more information contact the church at 615-329-4464. Rev. Dr. Herbert L. Lester, Jr. is the senior pastor.
