What is Lent For?
Lent is a period of preparation for Easter. This year, it began on Ash Wednesday, February 14, and will continue for 40 days.
The main purpose of Lent is for us to get closer to God. One aspect of that is for us to consider our own sins, both what we have done and what we have left undone, so that when Easter comes we will be all the more thankful for Jesus’ death and resurrection that bought our forgiveness. You value salvation more if you have thought about what you were saved from.
At St. Barnabas, we reflect the somewhat somber, introspective nature of Lent by having no flowers on the altar, by omitting some elements of praise from the liturgy (the Gloria in excelsis and some alleluias), and through readings that remind us how much we needed what Jesus did. Many people give up things (chocolate, alcohol) for Lent, so that their cravings remind them of what they should be thinking about. Others take on new things. If you want to take on something new, please come along to our series of Tuesday suppers, starting next Tuesday. Our theme over the next 5 weeks will be “Living the Eucharist”. There will be instruction and singing, with some simple food. It will be a good way to learn more about the Anglican way of Christianity and to become better acquainted with our congregation. The first supper is next Tuesday, February 20, at 6:30 pm at the church, in the Fellowship Hall.
