?
We are about to enter the season of Lent. Ash Wednesday begins the season. Ash Wednesday is a Christian holy day of prayer, fasting, and repentance. {{more: continue …}}?The day gets its name from the traditional blessing of the ashes taken after the burning of Palm branches (or crosses made from Palm leaves) from the previous year?s Palm Sunday celebrations.?In some churches the ashes are used to draw a cross on the head of people to mark the beginning of their Lent fast. The drawing of a cross is often done while repeating the words ?Repent and believe in the Gospel? (Mark 1:15) or ?Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return? (Genesis 3:19).?Because Lent follows the liturgical calendar, the exact date that Lent falls each year changes. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, which is always held 46 days (40 fasting days and 6 Sundays) before Easter Sunday.?
Lent starts on Ash Wednesday in western Christian Churches. and climaxes during Easter Week. The last week of Lent is called Holy Week. During the 40 days of Lent, Christians remember the time when Jesus went into the desert to fast and pray before beginning his work for God.
?
Because it is the first day of Lent, many Christians, on Ash Wednesday, often begin marking a Lenten calendar, praying a Lenten daily devotional, and abstaining from a luxury that they will not partake in until Easter Sunday arrives.
?
While Advent is a celebration and a time of great anticipation, Lent is more frequently seen as a time of solemn observance and preparation for the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus at Easter. From its start on Ash Wednesday until its conclusion on Easter Sunday, Lent has been a traditional time for fasting or giving something up or abstinence. Just as we carefully prepare for events in our personal lives, as a wedding, a commencement, birthday; Lent invites us to make our minds and hearts ready for remembering Jesus? life, death and body resurrection.
?
Many Christians also use Lent to study their Bibles and pray more intensively, making use of the many devotional books and courses now available.
?
During this time people will choose to give up just one item for Lent, more commonly a ?luxury? such as chocolate, meat or alcohol. It is also becoming increasingly common for people to give up other things in order to refocus their faith during this time; such as watching TV, going to the gym, even social media.
?
More and more Christians are turning to the “40 Acts” challenge as a way of doing Lent differently; using simple daily reflections and acts of generosity as a way of putting others first during preparations for Easter.
?
Sundays during Lent are very important to Christians around the world. Where the Monday to Saturday of each of the six weeks are concerned with fasting and abstinence, the Sunday is a celebration symbolic of Christ?s resurrection. Instead of fasting, Christians hold feasts in remembrance of Christ?s sacrifice.
?
On Wednesday, March 6, we will begin this Christian holy season with day of prayer, fasting and repentance with our Ash Wednesday Service at 6:45 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Kennedale.
?
“I don’t know how, but I know WHO!”
?
See you there!
?
Peace,Pastor Nelda?Kennedale
First United Methodist Church is located at 229 W 4th St, Kennedale, TX 76060?
Find out more @ TheMission Store
and @ First United MethodistChurch Facebook
?
Comments are closed.