Lent at Lake of the Isles
The season of Lent is a “moveable period” in the church year. It is a preparatory season for the festival of Easter, and since Easter is determined the lunar calendar and not a calendar date, the entire Lent and Easter season shifts from one year to another. This year the first day of Lent known as Ash Wednesday begins on Wednesday, March 5th. Historically, churches have chosen to mark the 40 days and Sundays of Lent as a penitential period focusing on the agony of Jesus’ death on the cross. Originally, the period of Lent was intended was to be a period of growth. Men and women dedicated a tenth of the year to learning and growing in faith. The English word “Lent” actually comes from the old English phrase to “lengthen.” This implies both the light and days in spring growing greater, but also that Christians grow greater in faith.
At Lake of the Isles, we will explore this growth in faith, with an intentional time of fellowship and worship in Lent. Each Wednesday evening, there will be an opportunity to gather together with friends and eat a simple meal of soup and bread. This will be followed by a worship service in the sanctuary. Ash Wednesday service on March 5th will follow the traditional service of reflection, confession and the imposition of ashes. The remaining five Wednesday evening will be celebrated with Marty Haugen’s Holden Evening Prayer service and will include an original sketches written by Neil and Ellen Johnson. These will be performed and directed by the members of the congregation. With such titles, “A Desperate Housewife” and “The First Ever Lutefisk Dinner,” these sketches are intended to help you think about the Christian faith in new ways.
Our Holy Week service for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday will be celebrated together with St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Maundy Thursday will be held at St. Paul’s and Good Friday will be held at Lake of the Isles.
This Lent, let us grow in faith together at Lake of the Isles.
