Kent United Methodist Church
We joyfully embrace God's acceptance and love of all people.
Kent United Methodist Church
We joyfully embrace God's acceptance and love of all people.
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Think about the people you love for a moment. What gift do they need most right now, the best version of you or the one who shows up most days? Two things. First, I’m really not interested in criticizing or picking fights. I just know that it’s super hard to show up, day in and day out, offering our best to one another. Second, I really believe it’s possible to become, more consistently, our best. Doesn’t the world need more of that? More of us? If you agree, the holy seasons of Lent and Eastertide are for you. Read on…
Apprenticeship
Be with Jesus.
Become like Jesus.
Do as Jesus did.
John Mark Comer in
Practicing the WayJesus never asked anyone to become a Christian. Period. Full stop. Let it sink in.
Jesus did invite people to “Come, follow me.” If you are reading this, Jesus is calling out to you right now, inviting you to apprentice your life under him. Jesus is inviting you to a whole new way of living. The way to discover and unlock God’s power for change in your life and in the world around you is to rearrange your life around the practices, rhythms, and truths upon which Jesus himself centered his life. You can be transformed if you are willing to apprentice yourself to Jesus. He becomes your master. You become his follower. And, you have to follow Jesus close enough that the dust from his feet covers you. This is what it means to be a disciple.
This year, during the seasons of Lent and Eastertide (mid-February through mid-May), we’re going to study the Bible to learn the 3 goals of apprenticeship
1) Be with Jesus. All day. Every day.
2) Become like Jesus by copying him in your tone, mannerisms, and speech.
3) Do as Jesus did.
Apprenticeship to Jesus – the way of life at the heart of the mission and vision of our church – is a whole-life process of being with Jesus for the purpose of becoming like him and carrying on his work in the world. First, we make room in our lives to spend time with Jesus. Then, we become like Jesus by speaking his words, living the practices he teaches, and ordering our lives based on the rhythms of his life. And, finally, we take on the role of disciplining others.
The end goal – we apprentice others in the way of life of following Jesus. This is how the movement has always grown. This is how lives are changed. This is how the world is transformed. Or, as Jesus said it in Luke 6:40, “A disciple is not above their teacher. But everyone, when fully trained, will become like their master.”
Please join a Discipleship Small Group to help you more completely live this life during the seasons of Lent and Eastertide (see page 3). We will be studying John Mark Comer’s book, Practicing the Way.
I’m looking forward to getting back to basics with you. I love you, church! I’m praying for you.
Pastor Jim
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Every day, God is crossing your path and disrupting your plans – trying to get your attention, trying to engage you in a positive relationship with your neighbors. Join Pastor Jim this winter to learn how to see the people in front of you and the events all around you with new eyes. Learn to see what God sees. Wake up and notice the upside-down blessings and glory of life! Practical Bible teaching for a changed heart, improved relationships, and a more generous approach to the world. Remember, how you live each day is how you change the world.
February 1, 2026
Notice Jesus
(“I myself did not know him…”)
John 1:29-42 (Matthew 25)February 8, 2026
Find the Upside-Down Blessings
Luke 6:17-23 (MSG)February 15, 2026
Transfiguration Sunday
See the Glory
Matthew 17:1-9February 18, 2025
Ash Wednesday Worship at 6:30 PM
Fire, smoke, and ashes – We begin a Holy Lent.February 22, 2026
Come and Follow Me
Matthew 4
Intergenerational Ash Wednesday
Wednesday, February 18, at 6:30 PM
Lent begins with a special and dramatic Intergenerational Ash Wednesday worship service on February 18 at 6:30 p.m. Adults will begin in the sanctuary with special readings, music, prayers, and reflections. Children and their families will begin in the fellowship hall with an interactive service designed just for them, led by our youth, young adults, and Ms. Stephanie. Then, we will all come together outdoors to burn the palms from last year’s Palm Sunday parade, fire and smoke, and the imposition of ashes on our foreheads. It is a dramatic and ancient worship experience that Christians of all ages will enjoy. Let’s start our Holy Lent together as a whole church family on Ash Wednesday!
All-Church Lenten Study
Practicing The Way: Be with Jesus. Become like him. Do as he did.
By John Mark Comer
During the season of Lent, our worship resource will be Practicing the Way: Be with Jesus. Become like him. Do as he did, by John Mark Comer. Outlining the timeless process of being with Jesus, becoming like him, and living as he did, bestselling author and teacher John Mark Comer unpacks God's vision for the journey of our soul. In this powerful and practical work, he explains his core philosophy of spiritual formation to help us form a "rule of life." Along the way, he offers rich cultural insight, deep biblical teaching, and his honest and hopeful view of the potential of each human soul. By simply following Jesus and embracing countercultural practices around hospitality, Sabbath, simplicity, scripture, and community, Comer invites us to lay aside our assumptions about discipleship and embrace apprenticeship under Jesus as a way of life.
To join a small group, talk to Terry Bolender (tbolender@kentmethodist.com).
Beginning February 15, we will have a few copies of the book available at the church for purchase for $20, or you may order directly from amazon.com using this link: Practicing the Way: Be with Jesus. Become like him. Do as he did.: Comer, John Mark: 9780593193822: Amazon.com: Books. The book is also available on Kindle or in audiobook format.
2026 Giving Campaign
Please join us to prayerfully consider your part in the ministry of Kent United Methodist Church. Your faithful giving supports the work God is doing in and through this church: worship, outreach, discipleship, missions, and care for those in need. Our three big goals this year are providing cost-of-living increases for our terrific staff team, fully funding the upkeep for our buildings and grounds, and continuing our amazing and uplifting ministry programs.
With winter coming, here are a few things to know...
Worship—If worship is canceled due to a power outage or weather event, we will do our best to communicate that by sending an email and posting it on our website.
Power Outages—to find out if the church might be closed due to a power outage, use the PSE Power Outage Map at
pse.com/en/outage/outage-map.
Weather-related Closures—the church office follows the Kent School District guidelines for weather-related closures
(kent.k12.wa.us/page/school-closures-delays).
We love having you with us in worship, but your well-being is our priority. Please do whatever you need to do to stay safe.
Creation Care Commitment
We, the Kent United Methodist Church, commit to continuing to decrease our carbon footprint as measured by the EPA Portfolio Manager metrics to attain the goal of becoming an Energy Star Building by the year 2030. The measurements include our use of electricity, gas, water, and disposal of garbage, recycling, and compost.
Energy Star Score for 2019—30 for 2022—43 for 2023— 59
Energy Star Target Goal: 75 by the year 2030
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