As January gives way to February, our church calendar quickly brings into view the sacred season of Lent. While Christmas and Easter shine brightly as great festivals, Lent offers us a unique opportunity for spiritual growth, preparing our hearts for the ultimate celebration of Christ’s resurrection.
Lent is a 40-day journey (not counting Sundays), observed from Ash Wednesday until Easter. It’s a time of
quiet reflection, repentance, and renewal. The number 40 carries significant biblical weight, reminding us of:
Moses’ 40 days on Mount Sinai.
The Israelites’ 40 years in the wilderness.
Jesus’ 40 days of fasting and temptation in the desert.
These are all times of preparation, testing, and deepening reliance on God.
For many, Lent might bring to mind giving up something, like chocolate or social media. While fasting or taking on new spiritual disciplines can be meaningful, the core purpose of Lent transcends mere self-denial. It is about:
Reflection and Repentance: Lent invites us to take an honest look at our lives, recognizing our sins and our need for God’s forgiveness. It’s a time to acknowledge our brokenness and to turn our hearts back to God in humility and repentance. Drawing Closer to Christ through prayer, study of God’s Word, and worship, we seek to walk more closely with Jesus, particularly as He journeyed toward the cross.
Join us on Wednesday, February 18 at 7:00 PM for our Ash Wednesday service (Supper will begin at 6:00). We will receive the imposition of ashes as a tangible reminder of our mortality and our call to repentance, hearing those ancient words: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.’
We will also offer special Midweek Lenten services every Wednesday evening supper will begin at 6:00, worship at 7:00 PM throughout Lent.
Lent is not meant to be a gloomy season. Rather, it is a purposeful journey toward the light of Christ, a time of renewed hope and reconciliation. It’s an opportunity to truly experience the depth of God’s love and the power of His forgiveness.
May this Lenten season be one of profound spiritual blessings for you and your family.
Pastor Shawn Kitzing, Interim Pastor