The Season of Lent Begins Tomorrow (Feb. 17)

Beginning this Wednesday, Febuary 17 (Ash Wednesday) and for the next forty days leading up to the celebration of Easter Sunday (April 4), the church observes the season of Lent. Lent is marked by a time of prayer and preparation to celebrate Easter.

Since Sundays celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, the six Sundays that occur during Lent are not counted as part of the 40 days of Lent, and are referred to as the Sundays in Lent. The number 40 is connected with many biblical events, but especially with the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness preparing for His ministry by facing the temptations that could lead him to abandon his mission and calling. Christians today use this period of time for introspection, self examination, and repentance. Lent has traditionally been marked by penitential prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

During the six Sundays of Lent at Lancaster First United Methodist Church, (Feb. 21, 28, March 7, 14, 21, & 28) our sermon series will be on "The Crosses of Jesus." We will focus on six different types of crosses which the church has used over the centuries to help us gain a deeper meaning of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross for the sins of the world.
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