It’s hard to believe that Lent started almost 4 weeks ago! I remember getting ready for the somber service of Ash Wednesday while at the same time thinking about the happy celebration of Easter and wondering about everything that would happen in between. The day after Ash Wednesday, a longtime Christian asked me: “Why Lent? Why should Christians observe a season called Lent?”
I always love this question from our non-protestant neighbors who don’t “do” Lent and we had a great conversation! Of course, the topic of Lent always brings up the topic of the “church calendar”, the yearly cycle of seasons shared by most Christians throughout the world (Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and most Protestants). But I’m also the first to admit, the church calendar is not fixed in Scripture! Instead, Lent has developed out of the common rhythm of worship and life of Christian churches through the centuries.
So, if it is not in the Bible, why pay attention to it? First of all, it’s helpful to remember that Lent is just as much a part of the church calendar as Christmas and Easter. Even many churches that do not use the rest of the church calendar do celebrate Christmas and Easter! At Christmas, we celebrate God’s incarnation in Jesus Christ who, fully human and fully divine came to save us, and at Easter, we celebrate the victory that comes from His resurrection.
While the celebrations of Easter and Christmas convey the focal messages of the Christian faith, I am so grateful for the seasons and celebrations that give us a strong reminder of how God is saving us in Jesus Christ. They provide a crucial focus for us as disciples of Jesus, as far back into the stories of Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and others in the Old Testament, all the way into the great apostles of Jesus like Peter, Paul, John and others in the New Testament. We don’t pick and choose what we like and don’t like in the Bible, it’s the WHOLE picture that gives us the WHOLE glorious picture! Still, why add Lent into the mix?
Thomas Aquinas, the 13th-century Christian preacher and theologian, liked to say …“every action of Christ is for our instruction.” To grow into maturity as disciples of Jesus requires that we attend to the whole life of Jesus, not only to his birth and resurrection! We must remember … as a child and a rabbi, Jesus grew UP learning the Torah, much of the Old Testament! Through Jesus’ whole life among us, God is working to save, to heal, to drive out demons, to teach us, to redeem creation!
Yes, the season of Lent is a season of preparation for Easter. But now, as we get closer to Holy Week, which begins March 24th, we especially remember Jesus’ suffering and death to save us. EASTER is so much brighter when we have been through the darkness and can see the light of Jesus Christ’s resurrection on Easter!
Sadly, I think sometimes people look at Lent as round two of their failed New Year’s Resolutions. Many people “give up” something during Lent, but Lent is NOT about us! Lent is about Jesus Christ!! In Lent we might give up something, we might do a specific prayer discipline, or change something to push ourselves spiritually or even do something extra for others! The point is not self-improvement … the point is not even really self-denial! The point may be to feel a little discomfort, or a little pain, and by that … to accept the constant reminder that we are loved by our Savior, Jesus Christ, who denied Himself for our salvation!
If you’re observing Lent with prayer or fasting or doing something for others, use that prayer, fasting, and service to remember Jesus and what He did for YOU! If Lent is not about getting to know Jesus Christ better and growing in your relationship with Him, it might just be … well, a waste of time.
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THESE EVENTS
WEDNESDAY, 3/13, 5:15 – 7:30, Wesley Hall, Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center workshop: NETCAC is coming to FUMC with their important program on how to protect our kids on the internet. If you THINK you know what your children and grandchildren are doing on the internet … you will LIKELY be very surprised! (Flyer attached)
THURSDAY: 3/14, 10 AM – 8 PM, Wesley Hall, Senior Day… Bingo, Exercise classes, and Karaoke, and bible study at 3 PM! This Thursday, dig into Luke chapters 19-22 and discuss the cost, both in time and money, to follow Christ and also what we gain in peace. You’ll also look at what it means to be in humble service to others and Jesus’ definition of greatness. Come and join in the discussion.
FRIDAY: 3/15, 10 AM, … The New Covenant: despite the failure of God’s people to live up to the covenants that had been made, God graciously made a new one with His people. Join us and let’s talk about this … Pyke’s Pantry, 218 Market Street on the Bowery. https://pykespantry.com/
SUNDAY, 3/17, 10:50 … A MATTER OF THE HEART: the gospel is so countercultural that sometimes it’s hard to imagine that God loves us so much He engraves our names on His heart! This is a utopia worth claiming, especially in times of unrest, so why would we be reluctant? Jeremiah 31:31-34 & Numbers 21:4-9.
WEDNESDAY, 3/20, 5 – 6 pm … NO AGENDA at Cyprus Brewery, across from the Farmer’s Market … if you’re looking for a place to GET BEYOND the walls of the church, come join us for a fun gathering with NO AGENDA! Since we aren’t in church that night, let’s join our neighbors who aren’t in church either and since craft breweries have taken the country by storm let’s check out our very own small business right here in WINNSBORO! Let’s hang out together!
SUNDAY, 3/24 Care Meeting Gathering after church… a note from Heather … “We know from Matthew 22:36-39 and Luke 10:27 that the Greatest Commandments are to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.” With those commandments in mind, I invite you to join me in building a caring ministry. Come on March 24th after church at noon. We will have lunch and begin a discussion on how we can care for one another not only in our congregation but in our community. Please be in prayer for this ministry as we start this planning phase. Blessings, Heather”
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Find a complete schedule through Easter on our website EASTER – First United Methodist Church Winnsboro (fumcwinnsboro.com)
Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming. It is close at hand— a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. Like dawn spreading across the mountains a large and mighty army comes, such as never was in ancient times nor ever will be in ages to come. Joel 2: 1-2