THE CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CONNECTOR (The CEC): LENTEN SERMON IDEAS

Preaching during the Lenten season should seek to inspire the listener to engage in Holy Habits (giving, worship, prayer, fasting) thus strengthening their relationship with God as they walk the forty-days with Christ. Here are a few sermon ideas that may spark your creativity and give you a good WORD to share.

“The Lenten Transformation”
1. A Transformed Life Requires New Priorities—II Corinthians 4:16-18
2. A Transformed Life Requires Commitment—Luke 16:13
3. A Transformed Life Requires Sacrifice—II Corinthians 8:7
4. A Transformed Life Requires Service—Ephesians 2:8-10

Submitted By
Pastor Marvin C. Zanders, II

2009 CEC FOCUS

Theme:
“Celebrating Inheritance: Who We Are, What We Have, and Where We Are Going”

Scripture Base:
Proverbs 13:22, Ephesians 1:13-14

Focus Statement:
Our great past will be explored. We have a great Wesleyan inheritance, a great African Methodist inheritance and a great spiritual inheritance. This gives the church the opportunity to rediscover our faith practices, Articles of Religion, dogma and doctrine their use and application in the 21st century. There is also a cadre of men and women who made great contributions to African Methodism upon whose foundation we continue to build. (created by the Council of Bishops of the AME Church)

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Women In Ministry Retreat
March 26-29, 2009
Clarion Hotel & Conference Center Busch Garden
2701 E. Fowler Avenue
Tampa, Florida 33612
813-971-4710 ext. 3613
Rates: $69.00 Double - $79.00
Pool-side
Cut-off Date: March 25, 2009
Registration Fee:
$125 per person OR Early Bird Registration $110.00 per person BEFORE March 23, 2009.

AME DAY at the CAPITAL
March 31, 2009
Tallahassee, Florida

April 2-5, 2009
YPD Connectional Leadership Training Institute
Orlando, Florida

April 16-18, 2009
2009 Ministries in Christian Education Meeting
The Hotel Preston in Nashville TN
Registration for the meeting is $125. The hotel room rate is $106 per night for single or double. For more information go to ameced.com. Registration Deadline: March 24, 2009.

May 14-16, 2009
Sons of Allen Retreat

Sports Camp
June 14-18, 2009
University of South Florida
Registration: $300

June 30-July 3, 2009
11th Episcopal District 65th Annual Lay Convention
Hilton Rialto
Melbourne, Florida

July 20-23, 2009
Christian Education Congress
Rosen – Shingle Creek
9939 Universal Boulevard
Orlando, Florida 32819
407-996-9939
Registration: $35 Onsite: $40
Registration Deadline: June 10, 2009
Clergy Registration is sent to the Presiding Elders.
All other Registration, including Missionaries, is sent directly to the Bishop's Office.

July 26-30, 2009
Connectional Lay Organization Biennial
Peabody Hotel
Little Rock, Arkansas

EASTER SYMBOLS

The butterfly is one of the significant symbols of Easter. Its life cycle symbolizes the life of Jesus Christ. The first stage, is the caterpillar, which stands for His life on earth. The second phase begins from the cocoon stage, portraying the crucifixiion and burial of Jesus. The final stage of the butterfly, represents Jesus raising from the dead in a glorified body and peace.
Pretzels with a twisted shape, a food eaten during Lent, symbolizes arms crossed in prayer.
Hot cross buns have a cross of icing on the top to remind people of Christ.
The cross symbolized Jesus' victory over death.
The lamb represents Jesus, "the Lamb of God".
The Easter bunny was a symbol of abundant new life in ancient times, and reminds us of spring and new life.
Easter eggs and baby chicks symbolize new life. Eggs have been a symbol of spring since ancient times. An egg also is a symbol of the rock tomb out of which Christ emerged when he arose. The chick, hatching out of the egg, symbolized new life or re-birth.
Symbolism of Easter Lilies: The white lily stands for purity. It is also a sign of the Resurrection. It, like other flowers that come from bulbs, die away then return with new life each year. Because they are white, they signify the pure new life that comes through the Resurrection of Jesus.
Tenebrae Service - The word "tenebrae" comes from the Latin meaning "darkness." This service is held on Good Friday, all the lights and candles on the altar are gradually extinguished until the room is completely dark. At the moment of darkness, a loud noise occurs symbolizing the death of Jesus.

THE CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CONNECTOR (The CEC)

LENTEN SERMON IDEAS

2009 CEC FOCUS

2009 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CONNECTOR THEMES

11th District CE Curriculum Committee

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

HYMNS FOR LENT

HYMNS FOR PALM SUNDAY

HOLY WEEK HYMNS

HYMNS for EASTER

EASTER SYMBOLS

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