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Season of Lent |
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Lent is a 40-day period that
preceded Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday and concludes on Easter. The Sundays
that occur during Lent are not counted as part of the 40 days of Lent, and are referred to
as the Sundays in Lent. Sundays are not included because every Sunday is a joyful
celebration of Jesus' resurrection. Though not biblical, Lent has long been a tradition in
the Christian Church. Lent recalls the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness, fasting and
being tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:1-11). Lent is considered a time of penance and
discipline. Lent is time we remember the sacrifice
of Jesus. The liturgical color for Lent is purple which is the color of repentance and
sorrow for sin. Some congregations remove flowers from the worship space, and for many
expressions of joy like the exclamation "Alleluia" ("Praise the Lord") are
removed from the liturgy until Easter. Many congregations hold special mid-week
worship services and promote other devotional activities to help their members concentrate
on the Lenten disciplines of fasting, charity and prayer. |
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word "Lent" is from the Middle English verb meaning "to lengthen."
During Lent, we prepare for receiving God's grace and
forgiveness given through the death and resurrection of Jesus. We prepare ourselves
spiritually for the celebration of Christ's resurrection on Easter Sunday. It is a time to
study and grow in faith. Many Lutheran church emphasize the remembrance of our baptisms.
Lent demonstrates how desperately we need Jesus.
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday.
Ashes
are applied to the forehead of Christians in the sign of the cross as a symbol of humility
and repentance -- "dust and to dust you shall return" (Genesis 3:19).
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Shrove Tuesday:
The Tuesday just before Ash Wednesday is called Shrove
Tuesday, or is more popularly known as "Fat Tuesday," contrasting to the fasting during
Lent.
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Ash Wednesday:
Ash Wednesday, the seventh Wednesday before
Easter Sunday which varies from year to year, is the first day
of the Season of Lent. Its name comes from the ancient practice of placing ashes on
worshippers’ heads or foreheads as a sign of humility before God, a symbol of mourning and
sorrow at the death that sin brings into the world. Ash Wednesday is a somber day of
reflection on what needs to change in our lives if we are to be fully Christian.
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Holy Week
- Palm Sunday -
Triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:1-17)
- Monday - Jesus' cleansing of the temple
(Jeremiah 7:11; Matthew 21:12,13)
- Tuesday - The Olivet Discourse (Matthew
24:1-25:46)
- Wednesday - Judas agreement (Zechariah
11:12,13; Matthew 26:14-16)
- Maundy Thursday -
Institution of the Lord's Supper (Luke 22:1-38)
- Good Friday - Our Lord's
Crucifixion (Matthew 27:32-56)
- Holy Saturday - The rest in the tomb
(Matthew 27:62-66; 1 Peter 3:19)
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Liturgical Colors
Liturgical Calendar
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