Sunday 1 March 2026

ing Jesus Towards Easter – Lent 2026

Last week, we began our Lenten journey together with a Scripture reading plan, a steady forty-day walk toward the cross and the hope of Easter. We pictured it as a mountain climb: boots checked, packs lightened, eyes fixed on the summit much like some of our church members are doing right now across both the North and South Islands.

This week we continue the climb and I want to gently encourage you.

Some of you have found a rhythm in the daily readings. Scripture has become that steady upward step, shaping and strengthening your faith. If that is you, keep going. The summit view is not yet visible, but the climb itself is doing its quiet work within you.

Others may feel the track has been steeper than expected. The legs have grown tired. A few days were missed. The reading plan slipped. If that is you, simply rejoin the path today. There is no guilt in this journey, only grace. The road to Easter is not about flawless progress, but faithful returning.

And perhaps some have not yet begun. The invitation remains open. It is not too late to shoulder your pack and take the next step. Jesus walks ahead of us and beside us on this road.

Lent continues to call us to:

• Travel lightly, releasing what weighs us down.
• Fix our eyes on Christ rather than on distraction.
• Persevere through the steep stretches.
• Encourage one another as fellow travellers.

The cross draws nearer with each step.
But so does resurrection hope.

40–Day Reading Plan (2 March – 29 March 2026)

Week 3 – The Way of the Kingdom

Day	Date	Reading	Focus
Monday	2 Mar	Matthew 5:1–12	The Beatitudes
Tuesday	3 Mar	Matthew 6:1–6	Prayer in Secret
Wednesday	4 Mar	Matthew 6:19–21	Treasures in Heaven
Thursday	5 Mar	Matthew 7:7–11	Ask, Seek, Knock
Friday	6 Mar	Micah 6:6–8	What the Lord Requires
Saturday	7 Mar	Colossians 3:12–17	Clothed in Christlike Character

Week 4 – Compassion and Servanthood

Day	Date	Reading	Focus
Sunday	8 Mar	Mark 10:45	The Servant King
Monday	9 Mar	John 13:1–15	Washing Feet
Tuesday	10 Mar	Luke 10:33–37	The Good Samaritan
Wednesday	11 Mar	Matthew 25:34–40	Serving “the Least of These”
Thursday	12 Mar	Philippians 2:1–8	Humility of Christ
Friday	13 Mar	1 Peter 4:8–10	Loving and Serving Others

May these Scriptures become steady footholds beneath your feet, strengthening faith, renewing hope, and drawing you ever closer to Christ.

Let us keep climbing.
Let us begin again where needed.
And let us follow Jesus faithfully, all the way to Easter morning.

Amen!