What is Lent?

Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday.

The season is a preparation for celebrating Easter.

Lent is a time when Christians meditiate on the life of Jesus Christ.

The Easter Season

The Easter Season, also known as the Great Fifty Days, celebrates Christ's resurrection and ascension as well as the giving of the Holy Spirit.

The origin of the English word Easter is disputed but may come from the Anglo-Saxon spring goddess Eastre and her festival.

Pentecost comes from the Greek pentekoste, which means "fiftieth." It refers to the Jewish Feast of Weeks, which Greek-speaking Jews called the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1).

What's going on during Lent and Easter?
(Feb 17th - April 4)

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper (Feb 16)

5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall

Ash Wednesday Services (Wednesday Feb. 17)

• 5:45-6:15: Children's Service
• 7:30 Ash Wednesday Service

The use of ashes as a sign of mortality and repentance has a long history in Jewish and Christian worship. The practice of the Imposition of Ashes as a sign of this call to repentance and reconciliation is the historic focus of Ash Wednesday observance and gave it its name.

Services of Praise and Prayer

in the Sanctuary Feb. 23 - March 24

• Tuesday 6:30pm
• Wednesday: 7:00am and 12:15pm

Lenten Studies for Children and Adults

Lenten 4-Week Study Series Reservation Form. Your reservation is helpful for ordering books and meal planning! Please submit your form by Wednesday, February 17

• Wednesday Nights     February 24 - March 17
  • Dinner: 5:45 - 6:15 p.m.
  • Bible Study: 6:15 - 7:15 p.m.
    • When You Pray: Daily Practices for Prayerful Living
         by Bishop Reuben Job,
         led by Pastor Bill
      
      
    • A Clearing Seasons: Reflections for Lent
         by Sarah Parsons,
         led by Pastor Jessie
      
      
    • The Way of the Child:
         Lenten Study for Children (ages 1st-5th grade),
         led by Gerry Turner
• Thursdays     February 25 - March 18
  • 11:30 - 12:30 p.m.    Bring a bagged lunch
  • When You Pray: Daily Practices for Prayerful Living
       by Bishop Reuben Job,
       led by Pastor Bill
    
    
• Fridays     February 26 - March 19
  • 11:30 - 12:30 p.m.    Bring a bagged lunch
  • A Clearing Seasons: Reflections for Lent
       by Sarah Parsons,
       led by Pastor Jessie
    
    

Emergent Worship Service

• Wednesday, March 24 at 6:00 p.m.

Led by Pastor Jessie in the Celebration Center with a Lenten Focus.

Dramatic Monologues

During Lent this year, you will meet these people at the worship services:

• A Pharisee
• The Sister of the Prodical Son
• Mary of Bethany
• Judith, the servant girl at Caiphas' House

The Lenten Candles and Wreath of Thorns

Each Sunday during Lent, one of the candles is extinguished as the day of Jesus' crucifixion and death draws near. The Christ Candle is extinguished on Good Friday during Holy Week. The growing darkness signifies the sacrifice our Lord made for each of us and focuses our personal and spiritual preparation during this Season of Lent.

Holy Week

HOLY WEEK, the full week prior to Easter Sunday, begins with Palm Sunday, Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and climaxes with the Great Three Days (from sunset Holy Thursday through sunset Easter Day).