Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the 40-day liturgical period of prayer and fasting or abstinence we call Lent. There is actually 46 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter, and six are Sundays. As the Christian sabbath, Sundays are not included in the fasting period and are instead "feast" days during Lent. The season of Lent emphasizes sorrow over sin, and having a repentant heart. But, what about some of the “practices” of Lent?
Imposition of Ashes - Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of adherents as a celebration and reminder of human mortality, and as a sign of mourning and repentance to God. The ashes used are typically gathered from the burning of the palms from the previous year's Palm Sunday. This ancient act is a gesture of repentance and a powerful reminder about the meaning of the day. Ashes can symbolize dust-to-dustness and remind worshipers of the need for cleansing, scrubbing and purifying.
Worship in Lent - During Lent, the Church's worship assumes a more penitential character. The color for the season is purple, a color often associated with penitence. The "Hymn of Praise" is omitted from the liturgy. The word "Alleluia" is usually omitted as well. By not using the alleluia--a joyful expression meaning "Praise the Lord"--until Easter, the Lenten season is clearly set apart as a distinct time from the rest of the year. Additionally, it forms a powerful contrast with the festive celebration of Jesus' resurrection when our alleluias ring loud and clear.
Emphasis on Baptism - In the ancient Church, the weeks leading up to Easter were a time of intensive preparation of the candidates who were to be baptized at the Easter vigil on Holy Saturday. This time in the Church's calendar was seen as an especially appropriate time for Baptism because of the relationship between Christ's death and resurrection and our own in Holy Baptism. (see Romans 6:1-11) This focus would suggest that the season of Lent serves as an opportunity to reflect upon our own Baptism and what it means to live as a child of God.
“Giving Up Something for Lent” - For Lutherans, "giving something up for Lent" is entirely a matter of Christian freedom. It would be wrong to make some sort of "law" requiring members to "give something up for Lent," since the Scriptures themselves do not require this. If, on the other hand, a Christian wants to give something up for Lent as a way of remembering and personalizing the great sacrifice that Christ made on the cross for our sins, then that Christian is certainly free to do so.
Lenten Midweek Worship - Theme: “Savior, Servant, Friend”
Wednesdays March 5—April 9
11:00 AM & 6:30 PM
Lenten Sunday Worship - Theme: “Life Lessons in Lent”
(Based on Gospel readings for each week)
Sundays March 9—April 13
8:00 & 10:30 AM
Our Lenten journey begins…
Connecting People to Jesus,
- Pastor Jon
