LENT
LENT
A SEASON OF DRAWING CLOSE TO GOD
Lent is a somber season during which most Christians "give up" something—chocolate, coffee, watching TV—for the weeks between Ash Wednesday and Easter. These small sacrifices remind us to be dependent on God and repent and follow Christ.
There is nothing wrong with "giving up" something for Lent but, this year, our Lenten theme is "What God Gives." During these weeks of self-examination, prayer, fasting, and self-denial, I hope we will also remember that God remains close and generous to us. So what does God give us during Lent? Endurance, rebirth, truth, vision, and life after death. Each week during Lent, we will explore together these gifts from God.
One way we will do this is by using a calendar that helps focus our scripture reading and prayers. Each week, we will also have a service opportunity that you can do at home and then bring to the church, like making cards for those served by our prison ministry or constructing baffles for Habitat for Humanity houses (see "Sunday Service Opportunities", below.) The purpose of this calendar is not to fill your time with busyness but to allow the Holy Spirit to work in us and through us during this season.
Lenten Calendar
We hope this Lenten calendar will help you focus on scripture, prayers, and service during this season. Each week, we will also have a service opportunity that you can do at home and then bring to the church, like making cards for those served by our prison ministry or constructing baffles for Habitat for Humanity houses. These service projects are described in detail on this web page; however, you may wish to download the PDF copy of our Lenten calendar for you to reference or print.
SUNDAY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
This Lenten season, we are bringing back the much-loved Sunday Service Opportunities. Every Sunday during the season of Lent, there will be a special opportunity for you to serve. There's something for everyone and for all ages, and you can decide to do one, a few, or all of them—it's completely up to you. Check out the information below to see how you would like to serve. If you have any questions, contact our Minister of Families and Outreach, Cortney Babajtis. And as always, take pictures and tag us on Facebook or Instagram.
During the week, spend some time creating an encouraging card(s) for a mom-to-be at the women's prison. When our Women's Prison Ministry Team goes to visit in mid-March, your card will be delivered and a mom-to-be will know that you're thinking about them and praying for them. Need supplies? We've got you covered! Just come to the narthex on Sunday 2/11 and pick up any materials you need. Bring your completed card(s) to the narthex on 2/18 or to the church office during office hours.
Socks and undies are always a huge need at Note in the Pocket of Raleigh. So during the week, go shopping for a bag of socks and/or undies to be donated to help children in our community. All children's sizes are needed. Bring your donations to the narthex on 2/25 or to the church office during office hours.
During the week, spend some time creating an encouraging card(s) for a resident at Springmoor Life Care Retirement Community. Need supplies? We've got you covered! Just come to the narthex on Sunday 2/25 and pick up any materials you need. Bring your completed card(s) to the narthex on 3/3 or to the church office during office hours.
Take this opportunity to go through your closet and get rid of those clothes you've been hanging on to for too long, and know they are going directly to someone who really needs them! Many residents leaving NC Correctional Institution for Women have only the clothes they came in wearing. Help us prepare them for reentry into society and the workforce by donating clean, gently-used women's clothing and shoes. All women's sizes are needed.
Bring your donations to the narthex on 3/10 or to the church office during office hours.
Check out this list to see the currently most needed items for the pantry. Bring your donations to the narthex on 3/17 or to the church office during office hours.
DAILY REFLECTIONS AND ACTIONS
We invite you to use this calendar to deepen your spiritual journey during this Lenten season. It includes readings and reflections, and actions you can take to give to our community as God has given to you. Each Sunday we will have a service project for you to participate in as a way to show God’s love to others.
Wednesday, February 14
ASH WEDNESDAY
Ash Wednesday Reading: Mark 1:1–9
Noon worship service
Meager Meal at 5:45 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall
Service to follow at 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 15
Today’s Reading: Genesis 9.8–17
Service Opportunity for Sunday: Cards for Moms-to-Be at Women’s Prison
Make an encouraging card(s) for a mom-to-be at the women’s prison. Drop them off in the narthex on Sunday or the church office during office hours.
Friday, February 16
Today’s Reading: Mark 1:9–15
Saturday, February 17
Saturday Reflection: Lent begins in the wilderness, a rough place filled with uncertainty and fear. Ash Wednesday sparks within us a certain sort of dread, forcing us to remember things we would rather not think about and causing us to look in the mirror and recognize our vulnerability, brokenness, and, yes, weakness. Our greatest temptation is to believe that we are immune from such things. We want to believe we are strong and independent and self-made. This is the illusion that helps us most days, that is until we enter the wilderness.
(Based on Mark 1:9–15)
Sunday, February 18
SUNDAY SERVICE PROJECT
Cards for Moms-to-Be
Bring to church your card(s) for a mom-to-be at the NC Correctional Institution for Women.
Monday, February 19
Service Opportunity for Next Sunday: Socks & Undies Sundie
Go shopping for a bag of socks and/or undies to be donated to Note in the Pocket of Raleigh. Bring them on Sunday (2/25), or drop them off at the office during office hours.
Tuesday, February 20
Today’s Prayer Practice: Take a moment today and practice a healing breath prayer. On the inhale say: “In you.” And on the exhale say: “I am made whole.”
Wednesday, February 21
Today’s Reading: Psalm 22:22–31
Thursday, February 22
Weekly Wisdom
“The hard thing when you get old is to keep your horizons open. The first part of your life everything is in front of you, all your potential and promise. But over the years, you make decisions; you carve yourself into a given shape. Then the challenge is to keep discovering the green growing edge.”
—Howard Thurman
Friday, February 23
Today's Reading: Mark 8:31–38
Saturday, February 24
Saturday Reflection: Carrying a cross is never easy. We often associate the cross with pain and suffering. For those who experience chronic disease or simply the ravages of old age, it is easy to connect carrying a cross with physical pain. But carrying our crosses daily is about more than just enduring such pain. Jesus tells the disciples to “deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Carrying a cross is also about obedience. It means leaving selfishness behind. Carrying a cross means being concerned about more than ourselves. Let Jesus show you the way.
(Based on Mark 8:31–38)
Sunday, February 25
SUNDAY SERVICE PROJECT
Socks & Undies Sundie
Bring new socks and undies to be donated to Note in the Pocket of Raleigh.
Monday, February 26
Service Opportunity for Next Sunday: Make an encouraging card(s) for a resident at Springmoor Life Care Retirement Center. Bring them on Sunday (3/3) or drop them off during office hours.
Tuesday, February 27
Today’s Prayer Practice: Pray the Psalms.
Wednesday, February 28
Today’s Reading: Psalm 19
Thursday, February 29
Weekly Wisdom
“It is a struggle and very hard work for those who are drawing closer to God—at first. But then comes indescribable joy. Those who want to light a fire first get assailed by smoke and weep and, by doing this, obtain the desired fire; in the same way we too have to kindle the divine fire for ourselves with tears and afflictions since it says ‘Our God is a consuming fire.’”
—Syncletica of Alexandria
Friday, March 1
Today’s Reading: John 2:13–22
Saturday, March 2
Saturday Reflection: Jesus looks at the temple courtyards and does not like what he sees. Money changers making exorbitant profits from the poor. Merchants not showing respect for God. Inattentive and sometimes uncaring priests. Jesus responds in a surprising way. He flips over tables and drives out the merchants and others with a whip of cords. He tells those selling doves “Take these things out of here!” What do you need to overturn in your life? As you go through this season of self-examination, what is Jesus telling you to take out of your heart to make more room for him?
(Based on John 2:13–22)
Sunday, March 3
SUNDAY SERVICE PROJECT
Cards for Springmoor Life Care
Bring to church your card(s) for a resident of the retirement center.
Monday, March 4
Service Opportunity for Next Sunday: Bring new or clean and gently-used women’s clothing (of all sizes) to help women reenter society and the workforce. Bring them on Sunday (3/10) or drop them off during office hours.
Tuesday, March 5
Today’s Prayer Practice: Praying the Prayer of Confession.
Wednesday, March 6
Today’s Reading: Psalm 107:1–3, 17–22
Thursday, March 7
Weekly Wisdom
“Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It’s a relationship between equals. Only when we know our own darkness well can we be present with the darkness of others. Compassion becomes real when we recognize our shared humanity.”
—Pema Chödrön
Friday, March 8
Today’s Reading: John 3:14–21
Saturday, March 9
Saturday Reflection: Lent is a time of spiritual renewal and preparation. Yet, we need not make this season overly spiritual. Holiness is more than merely an internal and personal condition. It has social consequences too. Jesus came into the world. He came close to us, moved into the neighborhood, to save us. As you pray this week, listen to God telling you who you need to move closer to in the days ahead. What strangers are near that you can invite into friendship? What community connections can you ask God to help make stronger?
(Based on John 3:14–21)
Sunday, March 10
SUNDAY SERVICE PROJECT
Women’s Clothing Collection for Reentry
Bring your donations to the narthex this Sunday.
Monday, March 11
Service Opportunity for Next Sunday: Go shopping for North Raleigh Ministry.
Drop off your items on Sunday (3/17) or at the office during office hours. Here’s a list of most-needed items.
Tuesday, March 12
Today’s Prayer Practice: Praying the Ignatian Contemplation.
Wednesday, March 13
Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 31:31–34
Thursday, March 14
Weekly Wisdom
“Just assume the answer to every question is compassion.”
—Father Gregory Boyle
Friday, March 15
Today’s Reading: John 12:20–33
Saturday, March 16
Saturday Reflection: Jesus speaks beautiful but difficult words. “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains a single grain but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” We often want the fruit without doing what it truly takes to get it. Jesus offers us no shortcuts. He refuses to provide a quick and easy fix. Jesus has his eyes stayed on the cross. He surely knows it to be a place of his agony, but Jesus can also see what lies beyond. Resurrection awaits! Ask God to help you see beyond this present moment. What awaits you in the future? Does it make you hopeful, sad, angry? Talk with God about it and let the peace of heaven be your gift.
(Based on John 12:20–33)
Sunday, March 17
SUNDAY SERVICE PROJECT
North Raleigh Ministries
Bring your donations for North Raleigh Ministries to the narthex.
Monday, March 18
Service Opportunity for This Week: Come up with a way that you/your family can serve your immediate neighbor(s). Take a pic and tag us on Facebook and Instagram.
Tuesday, March 19
Today’s Prayer Practice: Pray the Examen at the end of your day.
Wednesday, March 20
Today’s Reading: Psalm 118:1–2, 19–29
Thursday, March 21
Weekly Wisdom
“Peace doesn’t require two people; it requires only one. It has to be you. The problem begins and ends there.”
—Byron Katie
Friday, March 22
Today’s Reading: Mark 14:1–15:40
Sunday, March 24
PALM-PASSION SUNDAY
Join us for a special Passion Reading at 8:45 or 11:00 a.m. Invite a friend!
Monday, March 25
Weekly Wisdom: “We suffer to get well. We surrender to win. We die to live. We give it away to keep it.” —Richard Rohr
Tuesday, March 26
Prayer Practice: Pray using Lectio Divina—reading, meditating, praying, contemplating.
Wednesday, March 27
Reading: Exodus 12:1–14
Thursday, March 28
HOLY THURSDAY
Friday, March 29
GOOD FRIDAY
Good Friday Reading: John 18:1–19:42
Self-guided Stations of the Cross from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Guided Stations of the Cross at 3:00 p.m.
Tenebrae Service at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 30
HOLY SATURDAY
Holy Saturday Reading: Psalm 31:1–4, 15–16