The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, 46 days before Easter. It is a way to prepare our hearts to commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus and is modeled after Jesus' 40 days of fasting in the wilderness before beginning his ministry. (The 40 days of Lent do not include Sundays, as they are always considered feast days in the Church.) During Lent, we remember our limitations as humans and recommit ourselves to following the way of Jesus. However, while Lent often is considered by many to be a somber season, the word "Lent" actually comes from the Old English word lencten, meaning spring. While the season of Lent can be a time of humility and restraint, it also can be an opportunity for personal growth and a reminder of the promise of new life that comes when we follow the way of Christ.

IMPORTANT DATES

Ash Wednesday, February 18: The first day of Lent
Palm Sunday, March 29: The Sunday before Easter and the beginning of Holy Week
Maundy Thursday, April 2: The Thursday before Easter, when we commemorate the Last Supper
Good Friday, April 3: The Friday before Easter, when we remember the death of Jesus
Holy Saturday, April 4: The day Jesus lay in the tomb; this is also when COTA celebrates the Easter Vigil
Easter Sunday, April 5: When the Church celebrates the resurrection of Jesus (no service at COTA)

LITURGICAL COLOR

The color of Lent is purple, which is the color of royalty as well as penitence.

THEMES

Lenten themes include humility, devotion, spiritual practice, fasting, generosity, and self-examination. It also is an invitation to revisit the life and ministry of Jesus, whose model we adhere to as followers of Christ.

PRACTICES  

While fasting is the most well-known Lenten practice, the season of Lent also invites us to focus on the practices of prayer and almsgiving (giving to those in need). Each of these practices helps to strip our lives of what is excessive, superficial, and unnecessary as we reorient our focus toward God and the life of Jesus, who serves as our model as followers of Christ. You can bring each of these practices into your home during Lent in simple and formative ways. Consider reframing fasting as "simplifying," choosing to spend more free time outside as a family or making something you might normally buy. Commit to praying together or sharing what you're grateful for during family meals. You can also practice a modified version of the Ignatian Examen before bed. For almsgiving, place an "outbox" by your door and invite each family to place an item they no longer use in the box to donate to Goodwill. Another option is to have children select a non-perishable food item each time they go to the grocery store to donate to a local food pantry.

SPECIAL COTA KIDS EVENTS

Good Friday "Stations of the Christ": Friday, April 3, 6:00-7:00pm - Drop in anytime in the gallery below the Great Hall before the Good Friday service for a caregiver-led, kid-friendly engagement with the life of Jesus and the events of Good Friday and Easter. While children are welcome at the Good Friday service to follow, we'll also be showing a G-rated show or film in the Gallery below the Great Hall for children that caregivers feel are not yet ready to attend the somber service.

Questions or comments? Contact Lacy Clark Ellman, our Kids and Families Ministry Coordinator, at kids@apostleschurch.org.