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Weekly Greeting: Sunday 28 February
Submitted by Trevor Hudson on Fri, 2010-02-26 10:47
Dear Friends
Warm greetings.
We welcome you to worship today. As you may know, today is the second Sunday of Lent. We are very aware that many folk are not sure what Lent is all about. Here are a few thoughts that you may find helpful.
The first mention of Lent in a church document seems to have been at the Council of Nicea AD325. In the beginning of the Christian church followers of Christ probably followed the Jewish custom of fasting for one week before Passover which was at the same time as the Easter celebration. Very soon Lent, as we know it today, became a time of preparation for new members of the Church. These new converts were received into the Church at a special service on Easter Saturday.
Our records also show that Lent was used as a time of preparation for the restoration and reconciliation of those who had denied their faith during persecution. The service of reconciliation was held on the Thursday of Holy Week. Eventually all Christ-followers were encouraged to celebrate Lent.
What do Christ-followers do during Lent? They are encouraged to embrace three spiritual disciplines which are deeply rooted in our faith: prayer, fasting and alms giving. During Lent Christ-followers are encouraged to intensify their moments of prayer. It is a time when we direct ourselves and our lives more deliberately and consciously towards God. Fasting is a time when we abstain from something that is part of our daily lives (eg food, coffee, chocolate, TV-watching, internet use etc) in order to deepen our relationship with God. Alms giving is connecting our lives more personally and directly with those who suffer, especially those who are poor.
You may want to know that throughout Lent at Northfield the ministers will be available on a Wednesday between 5 and 6pm in the Prayer Chapel for times of confession. It is important to book your time. You can do this by phoning the Church office and making a time. Should you want to, you can remain anonymous.
We trust that this Lent, will be a time of deep preparation in heart, mind and body for the Easter celebration. Somehow when we enter into Lent more deeply, our celebration of Easter becomes more significant.
God Bless
The Ministry Team
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