February 22, 1012

     The season of Lent is a time when we prepare our hearts, minds and souls for the sacred observance of Christ’s death on Good Friday and his resurrection on Easter. In Lent, we recognize we are simply dust and ashes without Christ, we confess our sins to God, and we follow Christ to the cross, where we are made whole again. In the early Church, the six weeks of Lent were a time of training and instructions for converts to Christianity who were preparing to be baptized on Easter. The English word “lent” is derived from the Germanic root for “long,” because Lent occurs in spring, when the days lengthen. Forty Days. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on the Holy Saturday. Sundays are excluded from the counting of the 40 Days because they still remain “little Easters” even during this solemn season. The number 40 is significant because, at the start of his ministry, Jesus spent 40 days fasting, praying and resisting temptation, as we are called to do during Lent. bulletin02.22.12 Ash Wednesday Service Ash Wednesday Service 2.22.12 A Look at Lent Service Audio