The spiritual journey of Lent

February 28, 2026

Since the beginning of Christianity Lent has been a spiritual journey, a walking with Jesus in the desert. Christ was led into the desert by the Holy Spirit to establish a path for all people to walk from sin to God the Father. As Christians we are called like Jesus to begin our journey motivated by the Holy Spirit to take stock of our human weakness, recognizing where we are in relation to where we wish to go. Then we must walk away from these attachments, following in the footsteps of our Lord, confronting our appetites through mortification which is a dying to self that we might live ...

Local church briefs

February 28, 2026

Shoe Drive MARSH CREEK — Marsh Creek Brethren in Christ Church has been collecting shoes for the Gospel Tide’s “Your Soles for Their Souls” collection campaign. The Shoe Drive continues until March 1. This is the fifth year the Marsh Creek BIC Church has collected shoes to support Gospel Tide. Other church congregations and individuals are encouraged to search their closets and shoe racks and donate to this annual campaign. Our church coordinator is Bonnie Young, who is willing to pick up shoes locally or arrange for convenient pick-up in the community. We also have ...

Israel’s parliament moves toward ban on mixed-gender prayer at Jerusalem’s Western Wall

February 28, 2026

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s parliament has given preliminary approval to a bill that would put the country’s Orthodox chief rabbinate in charge of the entire Western Wall in Jerusalem, raising fears among liberal Jews that mixed-gender prayer at the site will soon be outlawed. The bill, ...

Pope Leo will visit 4 African countries as part of his packed 2026 travel plan

February 28, 2026

ROME (AP) — The Vatican on Wednesday announced a busy and lengthy foreign travel schedule for Pope Leo XIV in the first half of 2026, confirming the pontiff will visit Monaco, Spain and four African nations — Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea. The announcement sets the stage for one of the busiest papal travel schedules in years, since Leo will also be undertaking a grand tour of Italy starting in May that will take him up and down the peninsula in a half-dozen one-day visits. After Leo’s election last May as the first U.S.-born pope, papal travel had largely been ...

Hope in uncertainty and chaos

February 21, 2026

In a world filled with uncertainty, shifting values, and changing opinions, there is one thing that remains unchanging — the timeless truths and unwavering promises found in God’s Word. When life’s circumstances are unpredictable and challenging, the Word of God stands as a firm foundation, giving us hope and direction no matter what we face. 2 Timothy 3:16 TPT tells us: “God has transmitted His very substance into every Scripture, for it is God-breathed. It will empower you by its instruction and correction, giving you the strength to take the right direction and lead you ...

Local church briefs

February 21, 2026

Shoe Drive MARSH CREEK — Marsh Creek Brethren in Christ Church has been collecting shoes for the Gospel Tide’s “Your Soles for Their Souls” collection campaign. The Shoe Drive continues until March 1. This is the fifth year the Marsh Creek BIC Church has collected shoes to support Gospel Tide. Other church congregations and individuals are encouraged to search their closets and shoe racks and donate to this annual campaign. Our church coordinator is Bonnie Young, who is willing to pick up shoes locally or arrange for convenient pick-up in the community. We also have ...