A period of prayer and preparation

Lent (Old English: lencten, the spring season), which begins on Ash Wednesday, is a 40-day period before Easter excluding Sundays, February 21 through April 7. In most churches, the liturgical color is purple, the royal color, to prepare for the King. Lent is a period of soul-searching, self-sacrifice and repentance. It is a season for reflection as a preparatory time for Easter. It is about being redeemed and reshaped, renewed and restored.  All ages are encouraged to look inward and begin the journey that identifies one with the suffering of the Messiah. Lent is a symbolic reminder of the 40 days in the desert during the Exodus of God's people from Egypt to the Promised Land, and the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness before he began his ministry. The Lenten Season is especially a season of prayer, season of fasting.

Holy Week is the last week of Lent.  It begins April 1st and ends April 7th.  The purpose of Holy Week is to reenact, relive and participate in the passion of Jesus Christ. The liturgical colors for Holy Week are as follows: Violet for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday; White for Maundy Thursday; Red or Black for Good Friday; White for Easter.

Special Days

Sunday, April 1: Palm Sunday
Commemorates Jesus' entry into Jerusalem

Thursday, April 5: Maundy Thursday
Commemorates Jesus' washing of the disciples' feet and also the Last Supper

Friday, April 6: Good Friday
Commemorates the arrest, trial, crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus Christ

Points to Ponder: Suggestions for Lenten Activity

• Use symbols at the table such as hot cross buns instead of regular rolls.  Some people make cinnamon rolls in various shapes such as crosses, lambs, the open tomb, etc.
• Identify the hurts of the world in an intentional way by visiting persons who may be hurting-someone who is homeless or unemployed or in prison- or by including them in your prayers at home or in church groups.
• Make covenants within family or congregational groups to pray on a daily basis during the Lenten season for each other, for the disenfranchised, and for those in pain.
• Make Holy Week holy by providing daily activities for persons in the congregation that will help in their journey toward Easter.  Enliven Bible passages with the use of symbols like palm leaves, a bowl of water and a towel, praying hands, a  rooster for the "cock that crowed,"etc.
• Make Easter a day of authentic celebration not only by recalling the event that happened in a far country a long time ago, but by providing opportunities for people to share what gives them new life today.
• Make a Lenten calendar and faithfully follow the suggestions for each day of Lent.
• Create a "love quilt", write prayers, bake cookies, send cards/emails, and write letters.
• Think of something you can do for someone: take an elderly person shopping, baby sit for some young parents so they can have time alone.
• Concentrate on your family during this time.  Who needs your special attention?  Pray for them by name two or three times daily.

The Rev. Billye P. Bridges, director of Christian Education and Programs, is a native of Jackson, Miss., and a member of Light of the World Christian Church, Indianapolis.