WHAT IS “Lent?”
Most people are familiar with Easter Sunday, but what about the season that comes before this amazing, special celebration? In many western churches, this season is called, “Lent.” The season of Lent is a set of 40 days (46 days if you include the Sundays) following and learning from Jesus’ ministry. The beginning of the season varies slightly from year-to-year depending on when Easter Sunday may be observed on a given year.
The season of Lent begins with a special service called, “Ash Wednesday,” which has the focus of confession, forgiveness, and repentance as the first steps of beginning to draw ourselves closer to God. In addition, throughout the Bible, ashes have been used as a sign of mortality and of repentance. Abraham spoke of himself as being “but dust and ashes” (Genesis 18:27). After Job lost everything, he sat among the ashes (Job 2:8). The king, the people, and even the animals of Nineveh donned sackcloth and ashes as a sign of repentance (Jonah 3:5-10), and Jesus spoke of cities repenting in sackcloth and ashes (Luke 10:13). As a result, participants in this service come forward to receive an ashen-cross marked on their foreheads with the following phrase spoken, “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” We are invited to remember our mortality in light of Jesus’ redeeming love.
In addition, observes of Lent will typically fast (or withhold) from some sort of food, activity, or habit throughout the season. For example, one may fast from coffee, lunch-time, watching TV, spending time on social media, etc. In place of those activities, one can spend that time reflecting, praying, reading scripture or a devotion, or practice some other discipline that helps draw them closer to God. Over time, these spiritual disciplines will hopefully become more sustainable practices in one's life, even beyond the season of Lent, itself. Of course, Sundays during this season are designated days to break from your fast as you continue to worship and rest.
Below, you will learn more about our Lenten worship series for this year as well as other ways to dive deeper in cultivating your faith and spiritual life!
WHAT DOES The Season of Lent 2024 LOOK LIKE AT MOUNTAIN PARK UMC?
You can see the outline of our Lenten worship series below:
WEDNESDAY, February 14 - Ash Wednesday 2024 (Matthew 6:1-6,Matthew 6:16-21)
6:30PM in the Family Life Center
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SUNDAY, February 18 -Jesus in Conflict: Pharisees (Luke 11:37-44, NIV)
SUNDAY, February 25 - Jesus in Conflict: Peter (Mark 8:31-38, NIV)
SUNDAY, March 3 - Jesus in Conflict: Corruption (John 2:13-22, NIV)
SUNDAY, March 10 - Jesus in Conflict: Worldly Desires (John 12:20-33, NIV)
SUNDAY, March 17 - Jesus in Conflict: Judas (Mark 14:10-19, NIV)
PALM SUNDAY, March 24-Jesus in Conflict: Pilate (Mark 15:1-15, NIV)
EASTER SUNDAY, March 31-"He Is Risen! Rise with Him!" (Mark 16:1-8, NIV)
Join us for worship!
You are welcome to join us online for worship throughout this season on Sunday mornings at 10:45a.m. and 11:05a.m.
What else can I do?
You can also engage in the season of Lent by viewing our season-long devotional, which includes scripture, reflections, and inspiration as well as also other daily prompts to help you grow your faith.
What’s next?
The season of Lent leads us to the week where we observe the events leading to Jesus’ sacrifice, death, and resurrection. This week is known as “Holy Week” and culminates with Easter Sunday, where we celebrate Jesus overcoming darkness and death for everyone!
We invite you to join us for additional worship services throughout Holy Week as well as celebrating new life and redemption with us on Easter Sunday!