With the increasing busyness of our culture and the lowering of our attention spans, it is becoming more and more difficult to set aside times in our year as sacred. It can seem difficult to keep Jesus in the center of our lives. This is why this year we as ministry and community of Christians have chosen to take part in the ancient Christian tradition of Lent.
This year for forty days, from Ash Wednesday, March 8, to Easter Sunday on April 24; we are going to take a corporate journey during which we will seek to remind ourselves of the miracle of Easter: that Christ has died, Christ has risen, and Christ will come again. We will be starting a sermon series entitled The Sacred Way, during which we will study the unique messages in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. But we want our Lent season to go far past our Tuesday gatherings.
Lent is a time when we can collectively set aside distractions like social media and entertainment, for the sake of remembering the One who set aside the comforts of heaven to rescue us. It is a time to fast certain food and drinks, for the sake of being satisfied in the One who became for our sakes. It is a time to pursue our God in scripture and in prayer, for the sake of God’s son who pursued us while we were yet sinners. It is a time to repent of our sin, and rejoice in the hope of resurrection. Lent is a time to center our lives on Jesus.
With all of our hearts, we want the 2011 Easter holiday to be the most meaningful Easter you have ever known in your life. For this reason we ask you to take this journey with us. Pick up a Lent Guide at one of our North services and don’t miss this exciting new series.
by David Ritchie
“The Gospel of Matthew” – the fist Lent sermon
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For several years, I have participated in some way in Lent. For me, Lent has been a time to focus more fully on the death of Jesus, the power of the cross, and the life I have in in Him. I simply celebrate by taking something out of my life that I turn to for rest, comfort, and/or pleasure. For 40 days, I choose to remember Jesus when I would normally turn to that particular thing. Lent is not just about abstaining from something, rather it’s about choosing to fill yourself with something different- SomeOne eternal and lasting.
Psalm 16:11 ESV
You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Do you celebrate Lent? Why or Why not?
KR:)
awhitestoneblog
Kate,
I am so glad to see you write about this and to see a church taking notice during Lent. I know there is probably a lot of participation during this time, but I have never noticed it until this year.
I had the ignorant misconception that it was a Catholic only holiday. And never dove into what it was really recognizing. But I ran across an article online that described it, and it all made sense to me why people participated in this time of reflection. The article I read talked about Jesus being in the desert and being tempted by Satan. And when He could’ve been weak, He wasn’t. And that spoke volumes to me. The person talked about giving up something and relating to Jesus whenever they were tempted to eat their chocolate, or drink their coffee, or whatever else they may have given up. He was perfect and He died for us. When He could have chose to be weak, He wasn’t. When He could’ve chose to live, He died. All for us. A wonderfully, perfect, fabulous love story!(= Thanks for posting, dear! Are those sermons going to be available to listen to online?
Meg!
I just love and appreciate you so much!!
Yes, the best way to listen to these podcasts is by opening your Itunes store, searching “north podcast”, and subscribing to North’s podcast. There is over 100 North sermons on iTunes on many topics. This year’s Lent sermons are called “The Sacred Way”. The first one is up, and it’s on the gospel of Matthew.
Hope you enjoy my friend!!
Kate
Coach Kate,
Moving to Bethel, Alaska was a difficult transition. Different ways of worship and many people in the church community do not observe Lent and do not take part in it. Their thoughts are that it is still a Catholic thing and when I mentioned that I was participating in Lent I was looked down upon. Many member of the church do not understand the reason for Lent or why I do it, even though I explained myself they still did not agree. Your post just reminded me of why I do it and reinforced my decision, thank you for doing this.
Savannah
“vannah”
Savannah,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences. It’s cool that you have chosen to do what God has put on your heart regardless of it’s popularity. I think that is commendable!
Stay warm up there!!!
KR:)