Lent at Resurrection
A 40-Day Journey
a 40-day journey
“Lent” describes a special 40-day period prior to the celebration of Easter Sunday. During this time, all believers are invited to observe a special time of “by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word.” These 40 days invite us to come to the end of ourselves, and in doing so, we find ourselves prepared to receive the endless gifts of Christ as we journey through Holy Week and into Easter.
Lent Schedule
| Event | Times | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday Services |
8:30 & 10:30 am* *10:30 Livestreamed | Please note, there will be no livestream on Sundays, Feb 26 & Mar 5 |
| Palm Sunday |
8:30 & 11am* *11:00 Livestreamed | Sunday, April 10 |
| Event | Times | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday Services |
8:30 & 10:30 am* *10:30 Livestreamed | Please note, there will be no livestream on Sundays, Feb 26 & Mar 5 |
| Palm Sunday |
8:30 & 11am* *11:00 Livestreamed | Sunday, April 10 |
Every Lent, Resurrection gives a financial gift to a global partner. This year, we are partnering with Mark and Cindy* to strengthen their outreach in the Middle East.
*All names have been changed to protect identities
Enrich your Lenten journey with the book, The Good of Giving Up: Discovering the Freedom of Lent, by Father Aaron Damiani of Immanuel Anglican Church in Chicago, our sister church.
Reading the book will help deepen your understanding of the church’s teachings on Lent. Available for $10. Purchase online here, then pick up your book at the book table in the narthex on Sunday.
Enjoy a copy of the complimentary book study guide created by our staff at the narthex book table also. Use the guide in your household, small group, or personal devotional life to reflect on and apply teachings.
WEEK 3
CHAPTER 8
the mountain of fasting
Whatever might capture our imaginations and mental energy is fair game to give up for Lent: movies, TV, the news, social media, video games, sports, texting–you name it. Christ might ask us to lay one or more of these distractions aside for something better."
Just for fun–Describe one of the best meals you’ve ever had in your life. Where were you and who were you with? What did you eat?
Ha, ha, now let’s move from your favorite meal to fasting!
Read Matthew 6:1 and verses 16-18. Based on these two passages, what strikes you about Jesus’ teaching on fasting?
Fr. Aaron starts the Lenten journey of fasting by describing the partial fast. A partial fast involves giving up some aspect of our diet (like sugar, coffee, or alcohol) or “petty distractions” (like TV, the news, social media, video games, or sports). If you’re familiar with Lent, what have you tried in the past and how did it go?
Consider and discuss one or two of these questions:
- Have I become dependent on a particular food, drink, substance, or activity?
- What cravings or foods or habits would be truly liberating to give up or partially give up this Lent?
- What is Jesus asking of me for this Lent?
Read or have someone in your group read the sections “The Next Challenge: The Whole Fast” and “Options for the Whole Fast” on pages 100-102. What do you think about the idea of a “whole fast”?
Read or have someone read the section at the end of this chapter–“Fear Spiritual Numbness More Than Physical Discomfort” on pages 108-109. Share honestly: How would you like to ask Jesus to help you in the struggle against spiritual numbness?
For contemplation
Lenten Art
Resurrection artists Michael Skura and Lindsey Bergsma collaborated to each paint depictions of
Jesus in the Wilderness for us to contemplate this Lent.
Additional Resources
What is Lent?
Father Trevor, a priest in our diocese who pastors City of Light Anglican in Aurora, IL, created this wonderful podcast episode introducing the season of Lent. He addresses the questions:
- What is Lent?
- Why should I practice it?
- Where did it come from?
- How do I decide what to do during Lent?
- How do I fast?
- How do I pray?
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