March 5 is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, the season of preparation for the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday, April 20.
The following week, the Barton County Association of Churches will begin its annual series of Lenten luncheons. The purpose of these weekly ecumenical gatherings is to provide an opportunity to gather together for personal reflection and spiritual growth during the Lenten season and experience fellowship with one another.
Each Wednesday starting March 12, a different church will host a noon luncheon, and a pastor from another church will speak. Serving will never start earlier than noon. A freewill offering will be taken to defray the expenses of the host congregation.
The schedule is:
March 12, Assembly of God Church, 601 Patton Road; host pastor Dwight Dozier; speaker Pastor Jay Beuoy, Grace Community Church.
March 19, First United Methodist Church, 2123 Forest Ave.; host pastor Lennie Maxwell; speaker the Rev. Don Bedore, pastor of Prince of Peace Catholic Church.
March 26, Presbyterian Church, 2400 Washington St. (with co-host First Church of the Nazarene); host Dr. Scott Solether; speaker John Grummon, Central Baptist Church.
April 2, Grace Community Church, 210 McKinley; host pastor Jay Beouy; speaker Roy Savage, retired Great Bend pastor.
April 9, Prince of Peace Catholic Parish Center, 4100 Broadway Ave.; host pastor, the Rev. Don Devore; speaker, Doyle Smith, pastor of First Southern Baptist Church.
April 16, Central Baptist Church, 3301 Lakin Ave.; host pastor Dr. Joan Harrington; speaker LeRoy Keith, pastor of First Baptist Church.