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The Observance of Lent
The word "Lent" comes from the Anglo-Saxon word "lencten", referring to the lengthening of the days in the spring. Lent, of course, is an English word. In Latin, still the official language of the Catholic Church, the entire season is known as quadrigesima, or "forty".
The penitential season of Lent is the period of forty weekdays beginning on Ash Wednesday. It is a season of the church year, which commemorates the forty days Jesus fasted and prayed in the wilderness before he began his public ministry of preaching for repentance.
The season of Lent calls Christians to imitate the forty days of prayer and fasting of Jesus. The period of forty days is significant. When God punished the sinfulness of mankind by the flood, the rain lasted for forty days and forty nights. Moses led the Hebrew people out of the bondage of Egypt, but they wandered for forty years in the desert before reaching the Promised Land. Elijah fasted and sought God's will on Mount Horeb for forty days. Jonah prophesied on Ninevah in forty days.
In lent some people are giving up sweets, smoking, TV, not eating meat, etc. in order to discipline themselves and grow in their spiritual life. Our Lenten preparation should not be confined "giving up" things; we should "take on" things like extra prayers, meditation, self-examination, confession and repentance.
I encourage you to attend midweek Lenten services. Our theme for this year is "Changed Hearts: Transformed lives" Pastors will share the stores of change and transformation in the lives of people in the Biblical time. This series will also challenge us to follow the process of change and transformation in our own lives.
We are giving an offering box to every family to put their Lenten offerings as they observe the disciplines of lent, (give up something/put that money in the offering box). Please bring the box to Palm Sunday Worship.
I wish and pray that this Lenten season will be a season of renewal and reformation in our lives.
Peace and Joy
Pastor Nirmala Reinschmidt
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