Lent Begins with Ash Wednesday
February 14, 6:00 p.m. Sanctuary

Literally, the word Lent means “spring,” which always sounds lovely this time of year. But as we all know, there are still some cold days ahead. That seems an appropriate parallel since before we get to the glory of Easter’s resurrection, there is this season of self-examination.

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, which falls on Feb. 14 this year, and it ends on Easter, which falls on Apr. 1 this year. In contrast to boxes of chocolate and romantic sentiments of never-ending love, on the first day of Lent, a minister smears the sign of the cross on our foreheads and reminds us that we are indeed finite. And when Easter rolls around, the message of resurrection is not an April Fool’s prank, unless we think of it as God’s prank on death and despair.

The 40 days (or more accurately 46, since the six Sundays of Lent are the day of resurrection and technically don’t count as part of the season) are a time of pondering our mortality, of remembering our reliance upon God. In many ways, the season corresponds to Israel’s forty years in the wilderness and Jesus’ forty days of temptation in the wilderness, both a journey of sorts. We invite you to join us on the journey this year.

Ash Wednesday – Feb. 14, 6:00 p.m., Sanctuary

Palm Sunday – Mar. 25. Palm Parade at 11:00 a.m. service. Celebration of baptism of our Pastors’ Class students. Easter Egg Hunt at noon.

Maundy Thursday – Mar. 29, 7:00 p.m.

Good Friday – Mar. 30, Noon

Easter Sunday – Apr. 1. Worship at 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 a.m.