Lent 2025
Abiding Savior Family,
We welcome this week the season of Lent, the 40-day period prior to Resurrection Sunday. It is a season significant for its reminder of our mortality, our need for repentance, and our reflection upon the Savior Jesus who secured for us an eternal inheritance which we could not secure upon our own efforts.
We begin this season on Wednesday evening, Ash Wednesday, in a time of worship and reflection featuring the “imposition of ashes”, a practice with origins tracing back to the beginning of the 5th century A.D. and a powerful reminder of our sin and mortality (Genesis 3:19; Ecclesiastes 3:20). Our Wednesday evening services will be centered on the theme “Behold the Cross” and each week we will respond to a different facet of the question “What is the Cross to me?”
It is a practice of many to “give up something” for Lent, and if so inclined, I would offer these suggestions: to abstain from social media or T.V., to fast from sunrise to sunset on a day (s) of the week, to turn off your phone for an hour or two daily, or to give up a particular food or beverage. Yet Lent is more than simply giving something up. I would hold that it is equally important to consider taking something on, such as these suggestions: add a special and intentional time of prayer each day, or to read Scripture during a time of physical or digital fasting, or to give generously of time, talent, or treasure to a gospel cause close to your heart. And regardless of whether you are led to ‘put something off’ or ‘take something on’ or perhaps both, it is important to recognize the purpose of such a decision. The purpose is not to earn or win favor with God or man but to draw closer to the Lord and, ultimately, to glorify Him.
I pray that you will consider gathering with us to worship on Wednesday evenings. We will be timely in our service to permit parents with little ones to keep to a bedtime schedule and will be continuing to serve a congregational meal before our service.
Lord willing, I look forward to sharing in this Lenten season with you!
We welcome this week the season of Lent, the 40-day period prior to Resurrection Sunday. It is a season significant for its reminder of our mortality, our need for repentance, and our reflection upon the Savior Jesus who secured for us an eternal inheritance which we could not secure upon our own efforts.
We begin this season on Wednesday evening, Ash Wednesday, in a time of worship and reflection featuring the “imposition of ashes”, a practice with origins tracing back to the beginning of the 5th century A.D. and a powerful reminder of our sin and mortality (Genesis 3:19; Ecclesiastes 3:20). Our Wednesday evening services will be centered on the theme “Behold the Cross” and each week we will respond to a different facet of the question “What is the Cross to me?”
It is a practice of many to “give up something” for Lent, and if so inclined, I would offer these suggestions: to abstain from social media or T.V., to fast from sunrise to sunset on a day (s) of the week, to turn off your phone for an hour or two daily, or to give up a particular food or beverage. Yet Lent is more than simply giving something up. I would hold that it is equally important to consider taking something on, such as these suggestions: add a special and intentional time of prayer each day, or to read Scripture during a time of physical or digital fasting, or to give generously of time, talent, or treasure to a gospel cause close to your heart. And regardless of whether you are led to ‘put something off’ or ‘take something on’ or perhaps both, it is important to recognize the purpose of such a decision. The purpose is not to earn or win favor with God or man but to draw closer to the Lord and, ultimately, to glorify Him.
I pray that you will consider gathering with us to worship on Wednesday evenings. We will be timely in our service to permit parents with little ones to keep to a bedtime schedule and will be continuing to serve a congregational meal before our service.
Lord willing, I look forward to sharing in this Lenten season with you!
Pastor Flaa
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