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Tag Archives: Lent

Lent Quiz: How did the early church observe Lent?

In addition to being a time to remember the mercy and forgiveness of Jesus, the early church used Lent to prepare converts for baptism, and to offer opportunities for those who had been separated from the church to be reconciled.

Today Lent remains an ideal time to remember our baptism and to reconcile relationships with those we may have harmed. All of this signifies to us our sinfulness and the sacrifice of Jesus which makes our forgiveness possible.

Watch a video about baptism in the United Methodist church.

Learn more about ancient traditions that still influence Easter.

Check out all our resources for Lent and Easter.

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Posted by MaryO on March 13, 2025 in Easter, Holidays, Lent, Pender UMC, Posts of Interest

Tags: baptism, Easter, Jesus, Lent

Lenten Hymn and Devotion, Week 2

12 Mar

Brian Stevenson, Pender UMC Director of Music, presents a series of hymn-based devotions at noon on Wednesdays during Lent.

The Second Hymn-based Devotion is Ah, Holy Jesus

Ah, holy Jesus, how hast Thou offended,

That man to judge Thee hath in hate pretended?

By foes derided, by Thine own rejected,

O most afflicted.

Who was the guilty- Who brought this upon Thee?

Alas, my treason, Jesus, hath undone Thee.
‘

Twas I, Lord, Jesus, I it was denied Thee!

I crucified Thee.

For me, kind Jesus, was Thine incarnation,

Thy mortal sorrow, and Thy life’s oblation;

Thy death of anguish and Thy bitter passion,

For my salvation.

Lo, the Good Shepherd for the sheep is offered;

The slave hath sinned, and the Son hath suffered;

For our atonement, while he nothing heedeth,

God intercedeth.

Therefore, kind Jesus, since I cannot pay Thee,

I do adore Thee, and will ever pray Thee,

Think on Thy pity and Thy love unswerving,

Not my deserving.

The United Methodist Hymnal Number 289

Text: Johann Heermann

Music: Johann Crüger (1640)

Tune: HERZLIEBSTER JESU

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Posted by MaryO on March 12, 2025 in Holidays, Lent, Music Ministry, Pender UMC, Posts of Interest

Tags: Ah Holy Jesus, breathing, Brian Stevenson, calmness, Christ, cross, Crucifixion, devotion, HERZLIEBSTER JESU, hymn, Johann Crüger, Johann Heermann, Lent, minor, organ, Peter, poet, Saint Paul Lutheran, sin, spiritual, suffering, video

Lent Quiz: True or False? Sundays are not counted in the 40 days of Lent

09 Mar

The correct answer is True.

Sundays in Lent are not counted in the forty days because each Sunday represents a “mini-Easter” and the reverent spirit of Lent is tempered with joyful anticipation of the Resurrection.

Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday. Lent comes from the Anglo Saxon word lencten, meaning “lengthen” and refers to the lengthening days of spring. The forty days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan and preparing to begin his ministry.

Lent is a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of self-examination and reflection. In the early church, Lent began as a period of fasting and preparation for baptism by new converts and then became a time of penance by all Christians. Today, Christians focus on relationship with God, growing as disciples and extending ourselves, often choosing to give up something or to volunteer and give of ourselves for others.

Sundays in Lent are not counted in the forty days because each Sunday represents a “mini-Easter.” This is why you will see the designation “Sunday in Lent” rather than “Sunday of Lent” in the naming of these Sundays. On each Lord’s Day in Lent, while Lenten fasts continue, the reverent spirit of Lent is tempered with joyful anticipation of the Resurrection.

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Posted by MaryO on March 9, 2025 in Easter, Holidays, Lent, Pender UMC, Posts of Interest

Tags: Lent, quiz, Sunday

Ash Wednesday 2025

05 Mar

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent. It derives its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of adherents as a sign of mourning and repentance to God.

And Chuck Knows Church says…

Ever seen a little smudge mark on someone’s forehead as they walk out of church? That’s a sign of the cross and it means it’s Ash Wednesday during Lent. Chuck tells you about this important worship service:

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Posted by MaryO on March 5, 2025 in Chuck Knows Church, Holidays, Lent, Posts of Interest, Videos

Tags: ash, Ash Wednesday, Chuck Knows Church, church, discussion, forehead, Lent, livestream, mourning, pasta, repentance, sign of the cross, soup, stream, video, worship

What does the term ‘Lent,’ which comes from ‘lencten,’ mean?

15 Feb

Lent comes from the Anglo Saxon word lencten, which means “spring.” The root words mean “long days,” and this combination probably refers to the increasing daylight at this time of year. Lent’s 40 days represent Jesus’ time in the wilderness, enduring temptation and preparing to begin his ministry.

Learn more.