Lent
On Wednesday, February 22nd, we enter one of the most important seasons of the church year—the 40 days of Lent. The word Lentcomes from the Anglo-Saxon word lencten, or spring, the time of year when the days begin to lengthen. Lent itself is always the same length of time, but its starting date is tied to the movable feast of Easter and can be as early as February 4th or as late as March 10th.
Lent is one of the most important seasons of the church year because it is an introspective period during which we take stock of our lives and our relationships. It is a time to discover and change what we must do to prepare for Easter and experience spiritual renewal. During Lent we follow the example of Jesus by sacrificing our own will to the purpose of God.
Starting on Ash Wednesday, the Lenten season includes 40 weekdays and five Sundays before Palm Sunday and Holy Week and the culminating triumph of the Resurrection at Easter.
Lent has two major focuses: First, baptism, which in the early church occurred only at Easter. The Sunday readings will provide a short course on the meaning of baptism. Second, fasting and renunciation, which recalls Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness and through them the discipline of self-denial reflecting the sacrifice of our will to God’s will.
Tuesday, February 21st is the final day before the Lent. This day is celebrated in various ways in different cultures including Carnival (“farewell to meat”), Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras, and Shrove Tuesday pancakes (consuming the eggs, milk and fat not allowed during the fasting of Lent). “Shrove” Tuesday refers to the ancient practice of being “shriven” (confessing and receiving absolution) in order to begin and keep a holy Lent.
The liturgical colors of Lent are purple, for penitence and royalty, or rough unbleached linen or burlap, based on the sackcloth of Old Testament mourning and reflecting the somber mood of the season.
Many people choose to fast or give up something during the season of Lent. Many people choose one day a week to fast or simply fast for one meal. Others choose to take up something during Lent. They may use the season to be involved in a special seasonal activity of prayer and devotion or perhaps take up a service or mission project. Some people choose to both give up and take up something. They may fast for a meal and give the money that meal would have cost to a cause such as Habitat for Humanity, Community Ministries or the Church’s Lenten Offering.
As Lent approaches, you may wish to consider how you will keep the season. Below are a few ideas:
-
Attend Worship during Lent beginning with the Imposition of the Ashes Service at 12:00 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. on February 22ndthrough Holy Week services which start on Palm Sunday, April 1st and include Maundy Thursday Communion and the Service of Tenebrae on Good Friday. We worship each Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. in the Chapel and 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary. A Lenten Evensong service will be offered on the first Sunday of Lent, February 26th at 4:00 p.m. Holy Week
-
Participate in a Lenten Study Group choose from one of three groups that will be studying Bishop Will Willimon’s Who Will Be Saved? We will offer a Sunday morning group at 9:30 a.m.; a Tuesday morning group at 11:00 a.m. and a Wednesday evening group at 6:30 p.m. You may register online or through the church office or contact Reggie Holder for more details
-
Read the Gospel of Mark aloud in the Sanctuary. Several times during Lent we will offer a time to gather in the chancel to read aloud the Gospel of Mark, the first Gospel written and one that focuses on the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. Mark is also the lectionary Gospel for this year. The reading takes about an hour and a half. Reading dates are Friday, February 24that Noon; Monday, February 27th at Noon; Wednesday, March 7th at Noon; Sunday, March 11th at 3:00 p.m.; Wednesday, March 28th at 5:00 p.m. Contact Reggie Holder for further details
-
Read a Daily Devotional at www.UpperRoom.org or www.d365.org
-
Walk the Stations of the Cross beginning on Ash Wednesday, February 22nd and through Holy Week. We will once again display artist Danny Rountree’s Stations of the Cross in our Greeting Space for use as a devotional practice.
-
Serve in Community Ministry any morning between 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. as we offer the hospitality of Christ to men and women who live on the streets of our neighborhood. Volunteers are needed to serve coffee and bagels, hand out mail and assist in the clothing closet. Saturday is an excellent time for families to work together to keep Lent. Contact Deb Welsh for further details.
-
Help with the Lenten Build Habitat for Humanity constructing a new home for a low income family in our community. There are jobs for individuals of all skill levels. Contact Melinda Sparks or Deb Welsh for more details.
-
Help prepare the Church for Holy Week and Easter Worship. Many extra hands are needed to erect the cross on the lawn, fold palm crosses and prepare the church for the season. You may contact Brian Bellenger for further details.
