Frequently
Asked
Questions

HOW LONG DOES THE LENT SERIES LAST?

The series will last seven weeks. Our first session will be on Wednesday, February 14 and our last session will be on Wednesday, March 27, during Holy Week.

WHAT IS THE FORMAT OF THE SESSIONS?

The first night we will gather for a service that emphasizes the brevity of life and our mortality. We will be reminded of our need to practice repentance and pursue holiness. 

The next six sessions will focus on practical spiritual formation. Each session will open with a brief liturgy, followed by teaching from the Scriptures on a discipline (e.g., fasting, prayer, alms-giving) and ending with practical application.  

DO I HAVE TO FAST OR GIVE UP SOMETHING FOR LENT?

Probably, but not necessarily the way you might imagine. Jesus fasted in his life among us, and he taught his disciples that they would do the same when he returned to the Father. For spiritual formation, we will explore what the Scriptures teach about fasting (and much more); then we will put Jesus’s teaching into practice. 

ISN’T LENT JUST A VAIN HUMAN TRADITION DESIGNED TO HELP PEOPLE DO GOOD WORKS TO EARN GOD’S GRACE? 

No. Not at all. The early fathers of the Church believed Lent was an apostolic tradition that was handed down to the Church to help us engage the story of the gospel in a more personal and spiritual way. 

Like our forefathers in the faith, we simply walk with God, by grace through faith in Christ, in a story-formed way, from the natural dust of the First Adam (creation) to the spiritual glory of Last Adam (redemption).

SINCE THE PENITENTIAL & COMMUNION SERVICE WILL TAKE PLACE ON 'ASH WEDNESDAY’, WILL THE PASTORS BE APPLYING ASHES TO FOREHEADS?

No. Although Lent was observed by the early Church (per St. Irenaeus, 2nd century AD), the use of ashes during Lent came much later (11th century AD). During the Reformation, many Protestants rejected the use of ashes for the most part, and some even rejected Lent altogether. As a result, in many Christian traditions, the use of ashes and Lent fell out of use until the twentieth century. 

In light of various historical, theological, and pastoral factors, our Session chose to move forward with the Lenten Season and Series, but without the use of ashes.

DO I HAVE TO?

Not a bad question. I like how some traditions handle questions like this: “All may, none must, some should.” The Session is inviting, not requiring, everyone to participate in this Lenten service or series. 

We recognize that this might be a strange new thing for some of you. It might even be something that your faith and conscience won’t permit you to do. It might be something you’ve tried in the past and would like to do so again. 

Whether you observe Lent or not, at whatever level you do so, we want you to act with faith and good conscience. Your conviction and decision will be respected and supported.  

MY ROMAN CATHOLIC FRIENDS AND FAMILY OBSERVE LENT, SO WHY WOULD WE AS PROTESTANTS OBSERVE LENT?  

Remember: Lent pre-dates the Roman church by hundreds of years. It was observed from the earliest times by the whole Church long before there were any such things as Roman Catholic or Protestant churches. 

As we confess in the Apostles’ Creed (2nd century) and Nicene Creed (4th century), we believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. The word ‘catholic’ means ‘whole’ or ‘universal’. In that sense, we are all catholic Christians – members of the universal church of Christ. 

Things like preaching, singing, praying, confessing, repenting, and fasting belong to the ‘whole’ Church, not just to one branch or flavor of it.