Our church calendar has been leading us through the life of Christ as we, first, anticipated and prepared for his coming during Advent; and then second, we celebrated his miraculous arrival with the incarnation during Christmas; and then third, we reflected on the launch of Jesus’ ministry into the world with Epiphany.
As each of the four accounts of the Gospel attest, something significant happens at some point during Jesus’ ministry when he begins to turn his face toward Jerusalem and the looming fate that awaits him there: “When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51). As the Gospel reveal, the way to the kingdom is through the cross.
This is the purpose of Lent: for us to enter into the cross-shaped life of Jesus by way of repentance, self-denial, and even suffering, knowing that these are the means by which the Spirit bears the fruit of the kingdom of God around us. Be sure to take advantage of every opportunity you can to observe this season of Lent.
Ash Wednesday Service. Lent begins on February 18 with Ash Wednesday, forty days (not counting Sundays) before Easter. Our Ash Wednesday Service will be at 6:00 pm as we partake of Holy Eucharist and the imposition of ashes: Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return. Childcare will be provided.
Palm Crosses. There will be a basket in the foyer on Sunday, February 8 and 15 for you to return your palm crosses from last year’s Palm Sunday Service. These will be burned for the ashes that are used in our Ash Wednesday Service.
Wednesday Lenten Catechesis. Historically, Lent has been a time of a catechesis, preparing candidates for baptism in the tenets of the Christian faith. In light of this, we are calling the entire church to study and meditate on the ACNA’s recently published To Be a Christian: An Anglican Catechism. This catechism is designed as a resource manual for the renewal of Anglican catechetical practice (instructions in the faith) and includes the essential building blocks of classic teachings: the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Ten Commandments (the Decalogue).
On Wednesdays during Lent from 6:00 to 7:30 pm, we will share a family meal together before the adults gather to hear an overview of this great tool for catechesis. We won’t be able to cover every point, but our hope is that it will serve as a catalyst for individual and family growth. During this time, our children will also be learning the Apostles’ Creed. You can purchase your own leather-bond copy of To Be a Christian for $15 through the church.
We also plan to set the tone for these gatherings by meeting for Evening Prayer at 5:30 pm. We'd love for you to join us.