Lent Begins Wednesday, February 18

The hours of daylight are increasing. We’ve come through the longest days of darkness. And Lent is again upon us. (Lent comes from the Latin word for “Spring”.) I know, it’s kind of hard to think about Spring in the month of February. And yes, Lent is early this year because Easter is Sunday, April 5!

The Season of Lent is 40 days (excluding Sundays. Sundays are said to be “in” Lent, but not “of” Lent. Sundays, then, retain an Easter tone and may be less solemn than the midweek services that are typically offered in congregations.) In the Bible, the number 40 shows up repeatedly in the story of God saving His people from their sins. The people of Israel wandered through the wilderness for 40 years because of their sin (Numbers 14). After Jesus was baptized, He was tempted in the wilderness by the devil for 40 days but overcame temptation and sin (Matthew 4).

The Church, to prepare for the celebration of the Resurrection of Our Lord on Easter Sunday, takes a season of 40 days to focus on our need to repent of our sins and our need for a Savior from sin. The resurrection of Jesus is God’s proof that our salvation has been completed and that our hope for eternal life with God is secure. Even during this solemn season when the worship services are penitential and solemn, Sundays continue to emphasize the Gospel of Jesus and the hope of Easter.

Please see our schedule of midweek services: The Way of Grace: A Sermon Series on the Sacraments for Lent