Lent is a six-week liturgical season in the life of the church. It begins on Ash Wednesday (February 22) and concludes with Palm Sunday/Passion Sunday (April 2). Lent is a season of preparation for the celebration of Easter.
This year we will be drawing from a worship resource called “A Sanctified Art”. This resource includes images, art work, devotional booklets and cards, and Sunday morning scripture readings and prayers.
The theme this year is simply “wilderness.” The theme comes directly from the 4th chapters of the gospels of Matthew and Luke, which describe Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness. During that time, Jesus wandered, fasted and resisted temptation. We know that Jesus journey through the wilderness equipped and prepared him. Wilderness provided a test, a spirit quest, that clarified his life mission to reveal the unconditional love of God.
Similarly, through the wilderness of Lent, we are invited to surrender to the wild leadings of the Spirit. We rarely enter the wilderness willingly, but hopefully through our wandering we remember who we are and whose we are. The wilderness can become sacred even if it remains dangerous. There is no wilderness space too harsh or threatening for God’s love. This Lent, we welcome you to the journey.