On Wednesday February 14th, 2024, the church enters a time known as “Lent.” The word lent simply means “spring season” where the days grow longer. This particular season, and the church calendar as a whole can be a helpful guide in our following of Jesus.
Many are familiar with Advent, the time leading up to Christmas that is marked by hope, joy, peace and love. Lent is the 40 days before Easter that is meant to prepare our hearts and lives through confession, repentance, and self denial.
It is by no means required and while we want to avoid all empty ritualism, there are many resources that can help us more fully understand and enter into the story of Jesus with greater intentionality in the weeks leading up to Easter where we celebrate the resurrection of Christ.
If you choose to observe Lent this year, or simply would like to learn more, we wanted to provide you with some additional resources:
Pastor Scotty Smith gives us “A Prayer for Lent”
Chuck Colson writes a blog “Why Bother with Lent?”
The good golks at “Every Moment Holy” compiled a Lenten Journal with prayers, scriptures, and writing prompts. See it here.
For families, you can download the Jesus Storybook Bible Lent Reading Plan here. (If you don’t have a Jesus Storybook Bible, we’d love to give you one for free at our gathering!)
The Village Church has developed a helpful online guide - “Lent Guide (free)”
Tim Keller and Redeemer Church provide a series of devotionals “Lenten Devotionals (free)”
Looking for a good book you can hold? Journey to the Cross is a great guide with prayers, readings and reflections.
Chuck Degroat is a professor, pastor and counselor who gives some additional resources with a more contemplative leaning. - Additional Lent Resources
Playlists:
Lent Playlist by Audrey Assad on Spotify
40 Songs for 40 days - Spotify Playlist
Lent Playlist - If YouTube is your jam