Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday. The English word “Lent” comes from the Anglo–Saxon word lencten, which means “lengthen” and refers to the lengthening days of “spring.” The season is a preparation for celebrating Easter. Historically, Lent began as a period of fasting and preparation for baptism by converts and then became a time for penance by all Christians. Because Sundays are always “little Easters,” fasting is not observed and the penitential spirit is tempered. The final week of Lent is referred to as Holy Week, when the suffering and death of Jesus are remembered.
At First Baptist, we want you to be aware of the different ways that we are preparing for Easter. We hope that you will take advantage of these opportunities to deepen our appreciation of Jesus’ sacrifice and to be “united with him in a death like his, [so that] we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his” (Romans 6:5).
Lenten Book Study:
Emptied Out: A Personal Journey Through Lent by Steven Norris
“What’s the difference between a wooden flute and a stick in the mud? The stick in the mud is full of itself. The flute has been emptied of itself so that it can make beautiful music.” The 40 days of Lent offer pilgrims a chance to journey slowly and intentionally toward the cross of Jesus. This book serves as a trail guide. Weaving personal stories with reflections on scripture and original photography, Norris invites readers to join him on a personal journey through the season of Lent. Though the process of emptying might be painful, Norris serves as a trustworthy guide to call attention to the music of God that rises within each heart and resonates with all creation.
We will have four opportunities to read and discuss this book together:
Wednesday Night at 6:00 – The Deeper Connexions group will be studying this together
Monday at 10:00 – The Lenten Lessons LifeGroup led by Brian McCartney
Sundays at 10:00 – The Construction Class will be studying this together
The FRESH class will be studying this together
Additional Events during Lent and Easter:
Wednesday, March 6 (6:00 p.m.) – Intergenerational Ash Wednesday Service
Sunday, April 7 – Celebrating the Lord’s Supper in all morning services
Wednesday, April 17 (6:00 p.m.) – Easter Egg Hunt
Thursday, April 18 (7:00 p.m.) – Maundy Thursday Service led by the Sanctuary Choir
Sunday, April 20 (6:30 a.m.) – Sunrise Service at Mt. Zion Baptist Church
Sunday, April 20 (8:30 and 11:00)- Easter Celebration
Sunday, April 28 (11:00) – One Church Celebration