Community Lenten services to offer lunch

Ministers at several North Augusta churches have joined together to present Lenten services with lunch each week, beginning Feb. 29.

So that those attending the Lenten service will have the opportunity to be fed two ways - spiritually and physically - Fr. David Thompson of St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church said this year the churches have agreed to serve two seatings for lunch - one at noon before the 12:30 p.m. service and one after, at 1 p.m.

In the spirit of offering a "business-friendly" lunch along with the Lenten service, the Rev. Jim Dennis of Grace UMC explained this year the churches are attempting to accommodate the schedule for those who can't always get to the church right at noon.

The location of the services will change each week during the Lenten series as well.

The theme for this year's services is "Trading Spaces: A Journey to the Cross" and reflects the ecumenical sensibilities of the five-person planning committee for the five-week series. The series will focus on three topics: renewed, loved and redeemed.

Grace United Methodist Church is the site of the first Lenten service and lunch on Feb. 29. Fr. Thompson will be the preacher at the first luncheon.

During the succeeding weeks, luncheons will be held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church on March 7 with Dr. Paul Noe of Sweetwater Baptist Church providing the message; March 14, St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, with Dr. Albert James of Second Providence Baptist Church as the preacher; March 21, Second Providence Baptist Church, the Rev. Ryan Spurrier; and March 28, Fairview Presbyterian Church, Dr. John Younginer.

Spurrier is an associate pastor at Grace UMC, while Dr. Younginer is pastor emeritus at Grace and the founder of the Lenten services.