Every year, people ask me about the season of Lent and its special worship services: Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. As an invitation to practicing a “holy Lent,” as the traditional service of Ash Wednesday invites us, let me share a few informational things about the season of Lent.
Some ask about Lent because they don’t remember any mention of it in the United Methodist (or Methodist Episcopal or Evangelical United Brethren churches). These people’s memories are likely correct. While the traditions of Lent are ancient (perhaps dating back to the first centuries of the church), most Protestants re-developed practices related to Lent during the late 20th Century. This developed out of a desire, across many denominations, to incorporate meaningful practices from the ancient church in ways that served the modern world.
Regardless of the denomination or stream of Christianity we have been a part of, a main question is, “Why Lent?”
For one answer, check out this devotional podcast (https://kearneyfirstumc.podbean.com/) from Pastor Matt for a short devotional that includes information about some of the history and spiritual function of the season of Lent. Other episodes cover parts of the weekly reading from the John reading plan (download below). The podcast offers one or two reasons for Lent, but here’s another.
The season of Lent is Jesus’s invitation to follow him in the fullness of his humanity with our humanity. Lent, with its ashen crosses, foot washing, and gruesome views of fallibility and frailty, remind us that being human is to recognize and embrace our dependence upon God who is our gracious creator, savior, and sustainer. The season of Lent is God’s way of inviting us to embrace that we’re human, that we’re frail and finite, that we can get it wrong in ways that hurt ourselves, others, and creation. But this admission isn’t about punishing ourselves. Rather, it’s a recognition that we are who and how we are, and that God’s love experienced in Jesus through the Holy Spirit in the midst of the church is always at work in us to restore the fullness of God’s image in us. Lent invites us to look at Jesus, who teaches us over and over again, “In and through our connection to God is the fullness of life.”
Author Chris Seay writes about these themes in his Lenten devotional, inviting us to lives of Christ-like humility and vulnerability that can begin and grow during the season of Lent:
“God changes the world through humility and service. It is a subversive tactic, yet highly effective. […] Lasting change […] first takes root in the hearts of people. When God changes our hearts, a transforming love is unleashed on the world.
“The same truth applies to each of us on a personal level. We will experience radical transformation in humility and service, not superiority and power. The primary reason why we struggle so deeply to be transformed into the character of Christ is likely because so often instead of living with humility and vulnerability, we are busy chasing power and prestige.
“Can we embrace the truths of Christ if we do not embrace His posture? His hands were exposed to disease and leprosy as He touched the sick. His knee bent to the ground to wash the sullied feet of His friends. His eyes lifted in prayer to the Father. His body bowed and was broken in death. As we learn to march in step with our Savior, we find that our swagger gives way to a lowly and humble way of walking.
“To be strong Christians, we must embrace weakness. It is when we accept our humanity, when we are humbled by our fallibility, when we live vulnerably, that God is strong within us. Jesus was lowly, humble, even despised. He did not seek comfort. He did not even have a place to lay His head. He had every opportunity to pursue power yet didn’t. The world systems and its currency did not hold value for Jesus. He had a vision of a different sort of kingdom.”
(Seay, Chris. A Place at the Table, A 40-Day Journey of Grace: 40 Days of Solidarity with the Poor (p. 14). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.)
Study During Lent
During Lent, we’ll continue focusing on Jesus through the Gospel of John in worship and study.
There are study groups on the first and third Sundays at 10:45-12, and the first Sundays at 5pm (in the Heritage Room). Pastor Jo Ellen is leading a Lenten study every Monday evening at 7pm (also in the Heritage Room).
Serving in Lent
Sometimes, we discover greater closeness with God through service.
This could be a season to reach out to the leadership of the East Lawn Food Pantry Ministry to volunteer, either on Tuesdays and Thursdays when the pantry is open, or on one of the pick up and delivery days. See Pastor Matt or the office to get connected.
Jeanine Spangler and the Children’s Ministry team are inviting the congregation to donate items to be given to students at some of our local elementary schools. See that information here:
Please also see our Lenten Mailer (download below) for additional information about ministries of the church and our special, missional offering for Easter.
Sunday Worship in Lent
9-Mar – John 8.2-11 – Jesus – Amazing Grace
16-Mar – John 8.25-30, 54-59 – Jesus – the Son
23-Mar – John 9.1-7, 35-39 – Jesus – the Light
30-Mar – John 10.7-18 – Jesus – the Good Shepherd
6-Apr – John 11.1, 14, 17 – Jesus – Lord Over Death
13-Apr – John 12.12-19; Jn 12.20-35 – Jesus – Passion & Triumph?
17-Apr – John 13 – Jesus – Servant of All (Maundy Thursday Worship at 6:30pm)
18-Apr – John 18-19 – Jesus – Crucified One (Good Friday Worship at 6:30pm)
20-Apr – John 20.1-18 – Jesus – the Risen One (Easter Sunday Worship at 8, 9:30, and 11am)
Let’s celebrate a holy Lent together, that through this season, we’ll experience the Holy Spirit’s work in us drawing us closer to Jesus and growing us to become more like him.
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