Grace and peace to you from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Easter comes early this year. The First Sunday of Lent is February 10th and Easter is Sunday March 23rd. It is time now to prepare ourselves for the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ.

What is Lent? Lent is the Christian season of preparation before Easter. In the Western Christianity, Ash Wednesday marks the first day or start of Lent, which begins 40 days prior to Easter (Sunday's are not included to the count, because Sundays are seen as mini Easters). The work "Lent " means to "fast."

Why forty days? Because Jesus fasted and was tempted in the wilderness 40 days. The season of Lent, just as Jesus prepared himself for his ministry and suffering, is a time when many Christians prepare for the celebration of Easter by observing a period of fasting, moderation and spiritual devotion. The purpose is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ--his suffering and his sacrifice, his life, death, burial and resurrection.

Not all churches observe Lent. The Lutheran, Methodist and Anglican denominations as well as the Roman Catholic mostly observe Lent. The Bible does not mention the custom of Lent; however, the practice of repentance and the mourning of sins in ashes is found in 2 Samuel 13:19, Esther4:1, Job 2:8, Daniel 9:3 and Matthew 11:21, which is basis for the Ash Wednesday, when we take the sign of the cross in ashes as an repentance.

Simply stated, Lent is a time to examine ourselves. Here are some questions upon which we might pray and mediate during this Lent:

* Am I giving what I have to others, especially the stranger and the poor?
* Do I have a gracious and patient attitude with others, especially those who irritate me?
* Do I feel the power of being connected to God and the church in corporate worship?
* How is my devotional and prayer Life? Am I spending time in prayer and reading the Bible?
* Do I listen to God more than I complain to others.
* Am I thoughtful and forgiving to my family or do I take my frustrations our on them?

As we come to this time of spiritual preparation, I hope you will take time for Christ this Lent.
Our celebration begins with joint Ash Wednesday Service at Wesley United Methodist on February 6th at 7:00 p.m. We will continue our celebration of the season with our annual Wednesday Night Lenten Supper at 6:30 p.m., for five weeks, beginning Wednesday, February 13th through March 12th As always there will be good food and fellowship followed by singing and devotion The last of the lenten services will be our Holy Thursday Service at First Church on Thursday, March 20th at 7:00 p.m. And, the celebration of Eater will begin on Palm Sunday with the Chancel Choir's Easter Cantata, Sunday, March 16th and will continue on Easter Sunday, March 23rd. So get ready for Easter, it is coming and as always looking forward to greeting you in worship.
OHB