"But seek first the kingdom of God and his His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
Matthew 6:33

Hello, my name is Ken Hughes,
I am the Pastor at Westside Community United Methodist Church.
Welcome to our website. We pray God’s blessings upon you and your family.

  I would like to introduce you to my family.  My wife’s name is Patsy and she is a Medical Technologist working full-time in the laboratory at James B. Hagan Hospital in Harrodsburg.  She is from Bowling Green and graduated from Western KY University.  Our son, Jonathan, is in his second year at the University of Louisville pursuing a degree in Graphic Arts Design. Our daughter, Rachael, is a freshman at Lindsay Wilson College, pursuing a degree in Christian Ministry.   I received my B.S. from Western Ky. University and received my Masters of Divinity from Louisville Presbyterian Seminary.  I have been a pastor for 16 years and served six churches. I was appointed to Westside in June of 2006. My family and I really enjoy being in this community and are very excited to be serving God with this great church family. Patsy & I are adjusting to the “empty nest syndrome,” while our son and daughter are gone to college. We enjoy the extra time we have together by riding our horses and visiting our farm in Franklin, KY with our dog Max; a Jack Russell terrier.

PRACTICING THE PRESENCE OF GOD DURING THE HOLY SEASON OF LENT AND EASTER  

Lent, the forty days in the Christian year which lead up to Easter, is an observance of intrinsic value to the Christian church. The word Lent comes from a variety of Anglo-Saxon and Germanic words meaning spring, a time budding with new life and hope. But for Christians, Lent is not a celebration of nature, rather, it is a process of prayer and spiritual renewal. The Lenten season emphasizes one's need to cultivate the interior life through spiritual exercises and disciplines. 

Originally, in the first century, Lent was observed as a forty hour period, in keeping with the forty hours Jesus' body was in the tomb. This Lenten watch ended with an Easter service at 3:00 a.m. In the third century, the forty hours evolved into a six day extension. These six days were known as Holy Week. Then, the six days grew into 36 days (36 being the tithe or a tenth of the 365 days of the year). Finally, during the reign of Charlemagne in the eighth century, four days were added to the 36, to create our current celebration of Lent. The added days were Ash Wednesday, which begins the Lenten season, and the three following days, running up to the First Sunday in Lent. The forty days of Lent (Sundays are not included, for they are the Lord’s Day, which includes a celebration of the resurrection) is a time which calls all of us to be dedicated to discipline and personal examination. 

Lent is a time of preparation. It is designated for the preparation of candidates for baptism and confirmation. This season is intentionally set aside for examination, instruction, penitence and prayer for these candidates. This season is one of preparation for all the people of God. 

Lent is a time for penitence and discipline. It is the time for mourning, solemnity and sadness. In the Lenten season, self-examination is crucial. An individual's response to the call for purposeful reflection on one's need for God is an important factor in choosing a discipline with which to actively observe Lent. For some, fasting is a means of self-examination and denial; yet, fasting is not an appropriate discipline for all people. The purpose of a Lenten discipline is to strip away those things which clutter one's life or impede one from being in relationship with God. It is also a time for people to experience and reflect on the sufferings of Jesus, in light of personal sin and unrighteousness. Lent is a time to reflect on: Jesus' righteousness and our unrighteousness and Jesus, who died so that we may live.

Lent is a time for special prayer. During Lent many people give extra time to personal and public prayer. The traditional symbol for these forms of Lenten prayer is the pretzel. In the fifth century, Christians were known to make dough of flour, salt and water, which they shaped into the form of two crossed arms to remind themselves to pray. The product was called little arms or bracellae which later was called brezel or pretzel. The pretzel was only eaten during the season of Lent, as a reminder to pray. 

From preparation, penitence and discipline to pray, Lent is known as a time of spiritual renewal and growth. As Christ fasted and prayed in the desert for forty days, we try to be mindful of Christ for the standards by which we live our lives, with goals of self-giving and suffering love. 

During this season of Lent we will observe some special services to celebrate this Holy time of the year. There will be special services during Holy Week and opportunities to draw closer to God through Bible Studies on Wednesday nights for adults and our Wednesday Night Alive program for children, Tuesday nights, through Disciple Bible Study and  Sundays through Sunday School. Also we are gearing up for a revival in the spring and a dynamic Christian concert with  the musical group “II GUYS FROM PETRA” who will be coming right after Easter.  During worship we will continue with the Sermon Series called “Practicing The Presence of God.”  This series of messages will be centered around developing Godly values in your personal life and in the life of your family!  Also, on Sunday evenings we are beginning a new sermon series on The Beatitudes. 

 My prayer for you and your family is that you will take the time this Lent to draw closer to God and in so doing your relationship with Jesus will be better than it ever has been, as you sense in a new way His deep unconditional love for you !! 

God Bless You!

Pastor Ken

Sunday Morning Sermon Series:    

PRACTICING THE PRESENCE OF GOD

 February 3     HOW GOD HEALS THE BROKEN HEART

Matthew 5:4

 February 10      HOW  TO SHOW  GODLY MEEKNESS

Matthew 5:5

 February 17       HOW TO ACHIEVE LASTING SATISFACTION

 Matthew 5:6

 February 24         HOW TO PRACTICE GODLY MERCY

Matthew 5:7

Sunday Evening Sermon Series:  

We will be focusing on The Beatitudes