What is Lent?

Lent is a season of 40 special days that lead up to Easter, beginning on what is known as Ash Wednesday. Lent has been observed by the Church since its early generations and today is part of many church traditions, both Catholic and Protestant. The 40 days correspond to Jesus’ 40 days of temptation in the wilderness after his baptism. Despite the temptation, he never sinned. But he died because of sin – our sin. Lent helps us to seriously consider the gravity of that truth and to respond. Our response includes repentant prayer, fasting, and giving. These things help us to break our everyday patterns and really elevate the sacrifice of Jesus in our minds and hearts. The six Sundays during Lent are not part of the 40 days and are breaks from the fast - small windows to look toward Resurrection Sunday.

Why are we observing Lent at CHC?
We are observing Lent at CHC because it’s a deeply meaningful way to prepare our hearts for all that Easter means to followers of Jesus. To us, the season we celebrate the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus deserves more than a special sermon, a play or a new addition to our wardrobes. Generations of Christians throughout history have felt the same way and have made Lent a part of their year.

What are some of the basics of Lent?
Duration: Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 9th, 2011, and ends on Saturday, April 23rd.

Preparation
The basic point of Lent is preparation of our hearts and minds for Easter. This preparation includes repentance, fasting and giving.

Repentance / Prayer
Lent is a time to confront your ongoing sin. None of us are sinless. Even though we are forgiven and freed from the chains of it, we still sin. It grieves God and hurts us and others. The Bible makes it clear that our sin should grieve us and should be confronted in prayer and confession. That’s a huge part of Lent. Put it all on the table. Ask God to break the patterns of sin in your life. Ask him to deal with your unforgiveness, pride, idolatry, lust & sexual sin, greed, anger, prejudice, laziness, unbelief and all the things that are unlike Him. God wants to do an amazing work of cleansing in your life!

Fasting
We fast during Lent as an act of self-denial. This self-denial brings us into tangible awareness of Jesus’ self-denial when he took our sins upon himself to the cross. And it’s a change in our routine that makes it easier every day to stop and consider Jesus. Over and over in his letters, Paul the apostle likened his sufferings to Jesus’ suffering. When he faced hardship or sacrifice, he saw it as a connection to his suffering Lord. This is part of basic Christian faith. Our Lent this year follows the traditional fasting of meat, as well as some form of media (TV, recreational internet, etc.) It could also include sugary treats and/or beverages other than water. Please be prayerful about it and remember, it is a sacrifice. And remember this too, Sundays are a break from the fast.

Giving /Serving
Lent is also a time to go above and beyond in serving and giving. When we consider what Jesus did for us, it should inspire greater generosity and a desire to make some sacrifices of our own. Seek out opportunities to serve your neighbor, the elderly or the church. Put the money you save by fasting toward the church’s ministry efforts or to help someone in need.