Lent is the forty-day season of the church year that begins on Ash Wednesday and moves through Easter. This season focuses on a time of self-reflection and repentance. Lent finds its roots in the earliest days of the church, when, before converts to the faith were baptized and joined the church, they would observe a forty-day period of fasting and prayer to ensure they were ready to become part of the church. Becoming a Christian in those days could lead to your death; because of this, new converts had to test their conviction, to make sure they truly desired to become a part of the church.
This tradition holds true for us as well, as we are called to look within and allow the Holy Spirit to convict us of the areas of our lives where we are falling short. Where are we missing the mark in thought, word, or deed, in action or inaction? This time of reflection should lead us to repentance. Thus, many of the symbols of this season are tied to that. Ashes on Ash Wednesday follow the biblical example of sackcloth and ashes to show one’s repentance. The color purple calls to mind the mocking and the torture Jesus received on Good Friday when the soldiers dressed Him in a purple robe. Through our repentance and fasting, we walk closer to our Savior, being mindful of all that He has done for our sake.
In this season, many Christians “give up” or fast from something as a reminder of what Jesus has given up for us. If we choose this path, we are reminded to make this sacrifice something we will actually feel and miss. This feeling should push us to prayer and reflection. Others will “take up” something as a reminder that Jesus took up His cross for our sake. By taking up new patterns, we are reminded that Jesus shows us how to do this out of love for us all.
Some things you can try for the Lenten Season
Try an electronic fast. Start a prayer rhythm. Go deeper—take an online course. Forgive someone who doesn’t deserve it (maybe even yourself). Give up soft drinks, fast food, tea or coffee. Create a daily quiet time. Cultivate a life of gratitude. Spend time in visual meditation and prayer. Volunteer one hour or more each week with a local shelter, tutoring program, nursing home or prison ministry. Pray for others you see at work, the grocery store, traffic lights, etc. Maybe one of these ideas (or your own creative ideas) will help you grow closer to God.
Here are some of our important dates for this Lenten season.
February 18: Ash Wednesday. We begin Lent with our Ash Wednesday service. Join us for a meal starting at 5:00 p.m. (you can click here to sign up), and for our service beginning at 6:00 p.m. If you are unable to join us for Worship, ashes will be available throughout the day at the church.
March 28: We have our yearly Easter Christ Cupboard meal delivery. Join us as we prepare and deliver meals for those who need a meal and a visit. Contact Kaye Herring to learn how you can serve!
March 29: Palm Sunday: Join with us as we begin Holy Week together by waving our Palms high and shouting Hosanna! And from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., we'll have our Annual Easter Egg Hunt.
Holy Week: Come by the church during Holy Week to journey with us through our Stations of the Cross
April 1: Holy Wednesday: Join us at 5:00 p.m. for our meal and then make time for quiet reflection with our Stations of the Cross
April 2: Maundy Thursday: Join us at 6:00 p.m. for our Maundy Thursday Service, where we remember the Lord giving us Holy Communion and remember all He has done for our sake. This powerful service shows us the starkness of the cross. Immediately following this service, we will begin our 24-hour prayer vigil.
April 3: Good Friday:
1. Make plans to join us at Trinity Hispanic Mission from 9:00 am until after lunch to help with their Annual Easter Egg Hunt!
2. Join us at 6:00 p.m. for our Good Friday Service of Tenebrae. If you've never experienced this service, make plans to join us; you will be moved as we read Christ's last moments and witness the Light being extinguished.
April 4: Holy Saturday: One of our favorite traditions here at St. Matthew's is our Easter Flower Cross. To help contact Tim Rigby, Minister of Music, to learn how.
April 5: Easter: Join us to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus with a Sunrise service at 6:30 a.m., as well as our regular Sunday Schedule - 10:30. a.m Traditional and INTERSECTION Worship and Sunday School at 9:45 a.m.