Lent Milestone

• The color for Lent is Purple. Purple reminds us how the Soldiers put a purple garment on Jesus before his crucifixion. It also has become the color of repentance and reflection.
  • Consider using a purple cloth or placemat to provide a center for family devotions.
  • Hanging a purple bow on the door might help remind you of Lent as you leave and enter the house.
• Consider using the following Lenten Prayer, inspired by Psalm 51, during devotions:
  Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirt within me. Remind me of where I have done something wrong today and help me to fix it tomorrow. For in all things you are my forgiveness and my strength.

• Baptism. Perhaps the oldest theme of Lent is Baptism. In the Early Church, baptisms were often done once a year at the Easter Vigil. As candidates made preparation for their baptism, the whole church was invited to remember their baptism. Watch for water and baptismal themes in the Bible readings during Lent. You may wish to set a time for Baptismal Remembrance during your Family Devotions.
• Repentance. We all make mistakes. The Apostle Paul once wrote, “I do not do what I want, but the very thing I hate.” Repentance doesn’t mean beating ourselves up for our mistakes. Rather we acknowledge our mistakes before God, knowing that God will forgive us like a loving parent. In the church, we call mistakes sins. A sin is anything that separates us from God, each other, Creation, or our selves. Sometimes they are within our control and often they are beyond. During Lent, it is important to remember that Repentance is not the same as feeling guilty or blaming ourselves. Instead we consider our actions (and when we haven’t acted), how they impact others, and ask forgiveness, so that we can set them behind us, free to try again.
• Self-Denial. The idea of giving something up for Lent became a very popular theme during the Middle Ages and continues today. Lent is known as a fast. In some Christian traditions, the faithful fast from eating meat. Others choose something to give up for Lent. If you choose to do this, it’s important to remember that the main reason for giving something up is not self-improvement (giving up fattening food so as to loose wait), but focus on God. Sometimes it can be both, but the main goal of self-denial is focus on God. By denying ourselves something during Lent, we can remind ourselves that there is something more important than ourselves in life. This little sacrifice helps remind us of Jesus’ big sacrifice for us.
• Reflection. All the previously mentioned themes natural invite us to reflect. In Lent, reflection invites us to consider our life, actions, choices, and thoughts. Where do they point toward God and where do they lead us away. It’s an opportunity to take spiritual stock of our lives.
• Prayer. Prayer is an important part of our daily spiritual life. It is also a theme in Lent. Prayer helps us with our reflection, reorients us toward God, and is the primary tool for connecting with God. Lent is a perfect time to try a new prayer practice or way to pray.
• Spiritual Discipline. In recent years, many have opted to take something up for Lent rather than give something up. Considering a spiritual disciple is a good way to take something up. A spiritual disciple is anything that helps us focus on God in our life. Traditionally they include things like prayer, meditation, scripture reading, service, fasting, and devotions. Some have made exercise, gardening, and other pastimes into spiritual disciplines by adding an element of prayer or scripture to them. Trying a new spiritual discipline can be a nice way to observe Lent.

Lent is filled with opportunities to explore at home. Here are a few suggestions. Some of the themes and content of Lent can seem pretty sophisticated for small children but there are ways to help them experience Lent too. Suggestions are divided into the four key practices of faith.

There are several different ways that Lent is observed at church. Choosing to participate in one or more of these can help enrich your observance of the season.

Please see the seasonal worship post about Lent for details about what is being offered this year.

• Ash Wednesday. The beginning of Lent is marked by an evening service that invites us into the observance of Lent. In this service we are invited to reflect upon our own mortality as a way of remembering that while humanity is temporary, God is forever. A memorable part of the service is the imposition of ashes, when an ash cross is made on each person’s forehead.
• Mid-Week Lenten worship. Wednesday nights during Lent we gather for prayer and reflective worship. Many choose this as a regular lenten devotion.
• Morning & Evening Prayer. During Lent we engage in special prayers for moving and evening. Often a prayer book is published by our church so that you can join in the responses.
• Holy Week. The final week of Lent is known as Holy Week. During this week we journey with Jesus through the final week before his crucifixion and resurrection. There are several special opportunities during this week. The Worship during this week includes several experiential and visual elements that help children and adults engage with the story.
  • Palm/Passion Sunday. The week begins by remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Amid waving palms we celebrate but also remember where this journey leads, to his passion and death.
  • Maundy Thursday. On this evening we recall the story of the Last Supper and how Jesus both washed the disciple’s feet and instituted Holy Communion.
  • Good Friday. The day of Jesus’ crucifixion. In worship, we remember his passion and death and grieve for Jesus.
  • Easter Vigil. On Saturday night, the eve of Easter, we gather for the first celebration of the resurrection. During Easter Vigil, we retell the stories that remind us of how God has worked through history, remember our Baptism, and then announce the resurrection.
  • Easter Day. Holy Week moves into the Easter Celebration.