Lent is a special 40-day season in the Christian calendar that helps prepare our hearts for Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter. The 40 days (not counting Sundays) recall the 40 days Jesus spent fasting and praying in the wilderness before beginning his public ministry. By the second century A.D., Christians were using the word Lent to describe a special time of preparation before Easter. During this season, people would prepare to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection by praying, fasting (giving something up) and almsgiving (helping those in need). This year, to begin the season of Lent, we will gather for Ash Wednesday Worship on February 18 at 6:00pm in the Sanctuary. As part of our worship, we will receive ashes on our foreheads, in the shape of a cross, a symbol of our mortality and our deep dependence on God’s grace. Adults, children and youth are encouraged to participate in this interactive worship service.
This year, our Lenten worship theme is Rediscovering Jesus: Our Friend, Teacher, Savior and Lord. Many of us have heard these titles before, but during Lent, we will slow down and consider what they truly mean. How is Jesus our Friend? What does it look like to follow him as Teacher? How do we understand him as Savior? What does it mean to call him Lord? My hope is that this series will help deepen our understanding of Christ and renew our relationship with him. The series is loosely based on Diana Butler Bass’ book, Freeing Jesus: Rediscovering Jesus as Friend, Teacher, Savior, Lord, Way, and Presence. If you would like to explore these themes more deeply, Camille Loomis Rehnborg will be leading a Wednesday night discussion group on Bass’ book. Copies will be available beginning on Ash Wednesday, and the discussion will begin on Wednesday, February 25, at 6:00pm in the Media Center.
Whether you participate on Sunday mornings, Wednesday evenings or both, we invite you to journey with us this Lenten season as we rediscover Jesus together.
-Carol