40 Days ~ A Lent Observance at ACT UT

Lent is a mystery to many people. Depending on your church, you may never have heard of Lent or experienced it in any way. Lent is not something we find in the Bible nor is it required. Instead, it is inspired by Scripture and can be a great tool if used to deepen your faith and relationship with God.

Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday (the day before Easter). Lent comes from the Anglo Saxon word lencten, which means “spring.” The forty days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan and preparing to begin his ministry.

Among Believers who observe Lent it is viewed as a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a perfect time for self-examination and reflection. Believers use this time to focus on their relationship with God and often choose to give up something or to volunteer and give of themselves for others.

It has become a tradition at Active Christians Today UT to use our Spring Semester to deepen our relationship with God and focus on discipleship and spiritual growth. Because Easter falls at such a late date this year, it seemed like a perfect opportunity observe the Lenten season and the original meaning behind it.

How can you take part in our ACT UT observance of Lent this year?

    1. Take time for God each day with a daily devotional beginning on Ash Wednesday (March 6). We are using Daily “Devotions for Lent from the Holy Bible” by Mosaic on YouVersion found here: CLICK HERE!

    2. The season of Lent for many Christians is marked by a sacrifice either by giving something up or taking something on. What will you choose? Some people give up a cherished food item, television show, social media or other “must-have.” Others answer God's call to increase their prayer time, take time for mini-fasts, or take on a ministry of another kind. Pick what you will add or subtract and commit to do this for the entire season of Lent.

    3. Service and helping others is another way to observe Lent. On Wednesday, April 3 at 5 PM we will join Pastor Dave Underwood from Delta Church of Christ at the Toledo Gospel Rescue Mission ( (1917 Jefferson Ave Toledo). We will serve food, meet those who come to the mission and help out in a half hour worship service at 7 PM.

    4. Participate in our “Maundy Thursday” observance on Thursday, April 18 at 7 PM. “Maundy” means “command” and highlights Jesus' command at His last supper with the disciples when He said “do this in remembrance of me.” We will observe the Lord’s Supper together through reader’s theater and then by the taking and giving of the elements. This will close our observance of Lent as we then turn our attention to the resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday.

Will you commit to join with us during the season of Lent? It is a great opportunity to learn the meaning of Lent and the joy of deepening your relationship with God!

Everybody Always Bible Study on Wednesdays at 7 PM

Wednesday following our Free Family Dinner at 5:30 we hold our weekly large group Bible Study at 7 PM. To close out our Spring Semester we focused on how to reach the world with God's love. With that in mind, we are using Bob Goff's book Everybody Always as our guide.

In this special video and group discussion series, bestselling author Bob Goff shares some of the stories from his life that have helped him understand what it truly means to love everybody the way Jesus loved them.

How do we love the way Jesus loved? Without fear, insecurity, or restriction. Following Christ means more than just putting a toe in the water when it comes to loving others. It means grabbing your knees and doing a cannonball! And, as Jesus revealed, it means loving the difficult ones. Everybody, Always will provide practical steps to help you take that journey.

Join us Wednesday nights through the end of the spring semester for "Everybody Always" and see how God might challenge you to take a step of faith and reach out to the world around you!

UT Swing Dance Lessons Friday, March 29

Join us for Swing Dance Lessons on Friday, March 29 at 7 PM at the ACT UT Campus House (2018 Bretton Place Toledo 43606). Many of our students would like to swing dance at this year's Barn Jam (November 2, 2019 at the Weaver Ranch).

We are periodically going to hold swing dance lessons building up to the big night. Even if you won't be joining us for Barn Jam, we would love to have you join us for the fun at the campus house!

We'll be teaching basic steps building up to more complicated moves as we look forward to a fun night.

ACT UT at Toledo Gospel Rescue Mission April 3

Join Active Christians Today University of Toledo with Pastor Dave Underwood (Delta Church of Christ) at the Toledo Gospel Rescue Mission (1917 Jefferson Ave Toledo) on Wednesday night, April 3. We will help serve meals at 5 and 5:30 PM and be there for a 7 o'clock service (Dave is leading).

This time of service is part of our season of Lent at ACT UT. Service and helping others is another way we have chosen to observe Lent this year. 

Students may participate in whatever part they are available for that night.

ATTENTION: THERE WILL BE NO FAMILY DINNER OR BIBLE STUDY THIS EVENING. Instead we will serve as the hands and feet of Christ!

Minute to Win It Friday, April 5

Back by popular demand! We're bringing back Minute to Win It! Join us on Friday, April 5 at 7 PM.

Everyone is invited to join in the fun as we will feature a variety of crazy challenges throughout the evening.

Challenges include:

The Kix Chopstick Race. One-Handed Bracelets. Penny Towers. Marshmallow Toss. Stack Attack. Bathroom Plunger Battle. Panty Hose Head Tennis Ball Challenge (you'll just have to join us to see how that one works!) AND MORE!

Test your skills and plan on having a blast!

Free Family Dinner and Bible Study Wednesday Nights

Wednesday nights are busy at the ACT House (2018 Bretton Place Toledo 43606)! We begin with our Free Family Dinner at 5:30 PM. If class or your job is off later, no worries! We'll save some for you!

We prepare a special and sometimes unique meal each Wednesday. We serve everything from the typical (pizza, tacos) to the off-beat (breakfast for dinner, cereal). We will also grill out when possible including everything from pork chops to hot dogs and burgers!

Bible Study begins at 7:00 PM. Our Spring Bible Study focuses on the book of Daniel. Daniel's experiences aren't that far away from those we face in our world today. Come find out how his example can be an example for us! 

Come join us!

Maundy Thursday Remembrance April 18 at 7 PM

ACT UT will commemorate Maundy Thursday on April 18, 2019 as the conclusion of our Lenten season observance. We will gather in the quiet darkness of the ACT Campus House at 7 PM for our time of remembrance, prayer, worship and participating in the Lord's Supper.

So what is Maundy Thursday? On this night, Believers remember the supper Jesus shared with his disciples before his crucifixion, when Jesus washed the disciples' feet (John 13:1 –17) and began the practice of what we now call communion or the Lord's Supper (Matthew 26:26 –29; Mark 14:22 –25; Luke 22:13 –20; 1 Corinthians 11:23 –25).

Various traditions know the day by different names: Holy Thursday, Great Thursday, Green Thursday. In the Middle Ages Christians officially called the day the "Thursday of the Lord's Supper," and this ancient designation is still the most descriptive. 

The name "Maundy" means "command" reminding us of Jesus' command to "do this in remembrance of me" whenever we participate in the Lord's Supper. The central focus of Maundy Thursday worship has always been the upper room, where Jesus on the night of his arrest, sat at the table with his disciples and instituted a solemn memorial of his new covenant through the broken bread and shared cup of his supper.

On this night we will share in the Lord's Supper and in a reader's theater play which reminds us of the significance of this holy week. Plan now to close our Lenten season observance during this special evening.

Koinonia Night April 26 at the Weaver Ranch

Come on out to the country on Friday, April 26 at 6:30 for our annual Koinonia Dinner at the Weaver Ranch (6260 Prov Neap Swan Rd Swanton OH 43558)!

Contribute a finger food to our potluck and get ready to share the moments God blessed, taught or revealed something through ACT or in your life this year.

The word Koinonia is a Greek word and it means "fellowship, sharing in common and communion." We will have "communion" by sharing food (finger food) with no utensils.

We will enjoy time around the campfire and have a night to let loose and enjoy sharing together, laughing and celebrating as we close out another school year with ACT UT!