91����

91���� During Lent

Lent invites us to make our hearts ready for remembering Jesus’ passion and celebrating Jesus’ resurrection. . . As a period of preparation, Lent has historically included the instruction of persons for baptism and profession of faith on Easter Sunday; the calling back of those who have become estranged from the church; and efforts by all Christians to deepen their piety, devotion, and readiness to mark the death and resurrection of their Savior. As such, the primary focus of the season is to explore and deepen a “baptismal spirituality” that centers on our union with Christ rather than to function only as an extended meditation on Christ’s suffering and death. The traditional color for the season is purple.
(from the , p.557-558)

The Christian year centers on the major events of salvation history, celebrating Jesus’ birth, death, resurrection, and the sending of the Holy Spirit. Lent refers to the forty days leading up to Easter. The Lenten season is set aside for self-examination, spiritual renewal, and growth. In many churches, it is seen as a time for fasting and abstinence, for alms-giving and acts of mercy, for repentance and prayer.

Planning Resources and Services for Lent

•  an article by John Witvliet
•  Book of Job series from RW

Planning Resources and Services for Holy Week

Song Resources

•  by John Lyzenga

Visual Arts Resources

• Lenten images from Visuals for 91����
  • Cross of Wood
  • Cross (Ethiopian)
  • Palm Branch
  • Chalice and Cross
  • Crown of Thorns
• Readers Theater 
• Images and the Screen

Meditations and Devotions

•  by Kory Plockmeyer (Cokesbury)
• by Stan Mast (Faith Alive Christian Resources)
•  by Philip F. Reinders (Faith Alive Christian Resources)
• by James Schaap
• by MaraJoy Norden
• by Eric Sarwar

Children's Books

, Gail Ramshaw (Liturgy Training Publications)