In the past, some evangelical churches spurned any observation of Lent, associating it with "high church" liturgical worship. But today many of those same churches, including numerous Nazarene churches, are rediscovering certain aspects of the historic Christian tradition as a means of refocusing on spirituality in a world that is increasingly secular.
The Christian calendar, unlike the calendar on your desk or wall, does not run from January to December. Instead it runs from the beginning of Advent (the four Sundays preceding Christmas) to the beginning of the next Advent season.
The Christian Church, following Jewish tradition, has long used the seasons of the year to emphasize certain aspects of worship. While Jewish tradition focused on the Exodus, the Christian year centers on the life and ministry of Jesus. The Christian calendar is organized around two major centers of sacred time:
- Advent - Christmas - Epiphany
- Lent - Holy Week - Easter - Pentecost
The rest of the year, called Ordinary Time, runs from Epiphany to Lent, and again from Pentecost to Advent. The word "ordinary" does not mean common or mundane, but comes from the word ordinal and means "numbered time" (referred to as first Sunday after Epiphany, second Sunday after Epiphany, first Sunday after Pentecost, etc.). Ordinary Time is generally used to focus on various other aspects of the Christian heritage and on our commission to take the gospel to the world.
This article focuses on Lent.
Lent is to Easter what Advent is to Christmas. Both are times of preparation.
Just as Advent is the season of preparation for Christmas, Lent is the season of preparation for Easter.
The word "Lent" means "lengthen" and refers to "spring," that time of year, after a cold winter, when days become longer and new life begins to burst forth everywhere. The time when migratory birds reappear, crocuses emerge from the cold ground, and daffodils put forth their shoots.
The dates of Lent vary from year to year because they are based on the lunar calendar rather than the solar calendar. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, the seventh Wednesday before Easter. On Ash Wednesday we are called to remember that life is a gift from God to be cherished and that we must one day give it up. We are to remember that we were made from dust and shall return to dust and to reflect somberly on the depth from which we have been lifted.
Often what we see when we worship is as important as what we hear. Thus in some churches ashes are applied by the minister to the foreheads of worshipers on Ash Wednesday. First a vertical line is made, an "I" that stands for the old sinful self that we once were. Then across it a horizontal line is made, thus forming a cross! The sinful self is crossed out! The ashes made in the form of a cross remind us of the suffering of Christ on the Cross, by which our sins are canceled.
But that is not the end of our story! Ash Wednesday also reminds us that Easter is coming! So if Lent begins with the gloom of Ash Wednesday, it ends on Easter with a mighty, world shaking boom when Christ was raised from the dead as the harbinger of our own resurrection!
The observance of Lent as a special season in the Christian year began in the fourth century. It spans the 40 weekdays from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday. Since every Sunday celebrates Christ's resurrection, the six Sundays occurring during Lent are not counted as part of the 40 days of Lent. The number 40 is connected with many biblical events, but especially with the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert preparing for His ministry by facing and overcoming temptation (Matthew 4:11).
Christians should use this period as a time for introspection, self-examination, and a spirit of repentance.
We remember John Wesley's assertion in his sermon, "The Repentance of Believers," that repentance does not belong solely at the beginning of the Christian life but is also required at every stage thereafter.
Lent is a season for prayer and fasting. Many people observe Lent by giving up certain things purposefully, such as meat, sweets, and other foods. It is also a time for focusing on charitable deeds, helping needy people with gifts of food or clothing, or simply giving money to compassionate ministries. Of course, in doing such good deeds, one should remember our Lord's admonition: "Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them" and "whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others" (Matthew 6:1-5, NRSV).
Again remembering that what we see may be as helpful as an aid to worship as what we hear, some churches make use of liturgical colors throughout the year. The color used in the sanctuary during Lent is usually purple which symbolizes pain, suffering, and mourning. It is often the color of a bad bruise, reminding us that our Lord "was wounded for our transgressions" and "bruised for our iniquities" (Isaiah 53:5, KJV).
It reminds us of the suffering of Jesus leading up to His crucifixion as well as the suffering of humanity under sin. Purple is also the color of royalty, and thus anticipates through the suffering and death of Jesus the coming resurrection and hope of newness of life that will be celebrated on Easter Sunday. It is because of Easter that Jesus is not only our Prophet and Priest but also our coming King who will reign upon the throne forever.
Rob L. Staples is professor of theology emeritus at Nazarene Theological Seminary. Holiness Today, Mar/Apr 2011
Lent Dates for 2021
- Ash Wednesday: February 17, 2021
- Passion Sunday: March 21, 2021
- Palm Sunday: March 28, 2021
- Holy Monday: March 29, 2021
- Holy Tuesday: March 30, 2021
- Holy Wednesday: March 31, 2021
- Maundy Thursday: April 1, 2021
- Good Friday: April 2, 2021
- Holy Saturday: April 3, 2021
- Easter (Pascha) Sunday: April 4, 2021
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ELECTIONS: Annual Church Board Elections will be held this Sunday, February 21. For those not able to vote in person, you are able to vote online. Ballots were emailed to members on Monday, February 15. If you are a member and did not receive a ballot email, please email the church office or message Pastor Mike and we will be happy to re-send it.
CHAIR YOGA: Exercise classes are cancelled this week (week of Feb 15) due to weather conditions.
SAVE THE DATE: Our District Superintendent Dr. Dwight Gunter will join us for his annual visit on Sunday, February 28.
COFFEE & COMMUNITY BIBLE STUDY: Join us for a wonderful Bible Study every other Tuesday at 9:30am in the Coffee Shop. Due to parking lot conditions, this study will not meet on February 16.
OLD HICKORY WOMEN'S MINISTRY FUNDRAISER: Help us raise money for our retreat! Whether you’re an avid cook or hate to cook, there are plenty of products to choose from. These high-quality products are made in the USA, and every purchase you make using this unique shopping link helps our group.
SECRETARY NEEDED: We are looking for a part-time secretary to help at the church. If you know of anyone, have them contact Pastor Mike or Terri Ray.
MEDIA ARTS TEAM: If you would be interested in joining a rotation in media arts to help with worship slides and live stream, please connect with Jenn Houchin.
FOOD PANTRY: The pantry is open on Wednesday from 5:00-7:00pm and Thursday from 10:00am-12:00pm and volunteers and donations are needed. Due to parking lot conditions, the Food Pantry will not open this week (Feb 17 & 18).
COFFEE SHOP: Uncommon Grounds is open every Monday-Saturday from 7:00am-2:00pm. Invite a friend and use this great outreach to introduce the church to your friends. Due to parking lot conditions, the Coffee Shop is closed this week (week of Feb 15).
KELLY'S CLOSET: Kelly needs volunteers to help serve women in need of clothing and support. See Kelly Shinn for more information on how you can get involved or donate.
CLASSES & STUDIES
SUNDAYS
Debbie Woodard leads the Young Adult Class via ZOOM for anyone who would like to join + Deanna & James Boorsma hosts for any who would like to join the class in person, meeting in the last room on the left of the new wing on Sunday mornings at 9am.
Meeting ID: 868 1977 8952
Password: Bible101
Kenneth Ray & Gracie Smith lead the Friendship Class in person and via ZOOM for anyone who would like to join. They meet Sunday mornings at 9am in the classroom beside the office.
Meeting ID: 846 6822 8046
Password: Bible101
Sandy Hunter leads the Teen Sunday School in person 9:00am in the Teen Room.
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP begins at 10:00am in the sanctuary. The services will continue to be live streamed on Facebook and our website home page for those unable to be with us in the church building.
To keep your safety a high priority, the Church Board has asked that we go back to our prior guidelines for seating in the sanctuary. If you are wearing a mask you are welcome to sit anywhere on the main floor. If you would prefer to not wear a mask, we ask that you please sit in the balcony. Thanks for your help as we do our best to keep everyone healthy.
OH|KIDS CHURCH for K-5th grade meets during the worship hour at 10:00am with Pastor Maddie! Parents can take children directly to the OH|Kids room before worship (instead of starting in the sanctuary). See Maddie if you would like to help.
WEDNESDAYS
Wednesday Night Bible Study with Debbie Woodard is on Facebook Live (from Debbie's page) at 6:30pm.
THURSDAYS
Richard leads prayer and devotional on Thursdays at 7:00 PM via ZOOM for anyone who would like to join.
Meeting ID: 894 2501 3143
Password: Prayer605
