Pastor Chris A new season is upon us… No, I’m not talking about the crab season or even Valentine’s Day BUT the Season of Lent! This season starts with Ash Wednesday on February 26. So, as Christians, it is extremely important that we understand where we have come from. We are Christians who live almost 2,000 years after the ascension of Jesus the Christ. We are a long way removed from the historic moments of Jesus’ life on this earth. Even so, as believers in Jesus the Christ for our salvation, we belong to the Holy Christian Church that was created by Jesus and led by His apostles. Knowing this, we are never to be ignorant of the history of the Church to which we belong. A study of the history of the Church is always a worthwhile endeavor. In that light and in preparation for the season near at hand, a brief examination of the historic time of Lent now follows. As early as the Third Century, Christians devoted themselves to prepare for the celebration of Easter. In these early generations, two days before Easter were dedicated to the Christian practice of fasting. From the end of the worship service on Good Friday to the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter — Christians would fast. Generations that followed increased the period of fasting to six days which was also the amount of time catechumens spent in humble preparation for the reception of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper that they would receive at the Easter service. History shows that the length of preparation for Easter increased from one week to three weeks to six weeks, usually excluding Sundays, which were held by Christians as mini Easters. In Jerusalem, as early as the Fourth Century, Christians fasted for 40 days in preparation for Easter. The 40 days consisted of five days a week for eight weeks. These 40 days symbolized the 40 days that Moses dwelled on Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:1), the 40 days that Elijah journeyed to Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:8), and the 40 days that Jesus fasted in the wilderness (Matthew 4:2). In the Seventh Century, the western church arrived at a 40 day preparation period for Easter. They were fasting for six weeks at six days a week for a total of 36 days. Beginning in that century, they decided to include the four days that preceded the first Sunday of preparation. That first day of Lent, then, was known as Ash Wednesday. Okay, deep breath, did you get all that? Well, during the time of the Reformation (16 th century), Martin Luther continued to observe this preparation period. Many Lutheran Churches continue this practice today. Ash Wednesday (February 26, 2020) begins the season of Lent with its conclusion being the Saturday before Easter Sunday. Because Sundays are mini Easters, each Sunday in Lent is in Lent and not of Lent. For those word buffs reading this, and even for those not so interested: The word Lent comes from the Old English word lencten or lengten, which means to lengthen. This word was applied to the season of the year when the days were lengthening, the season known as Spring. Lent and Spring therefore bear similar meanings. Oh, by the way… Spring is March 20, 2020! And we spring forward on March 8! LOVE ONE ANOTHER JOHN 3:16
6
Embed
LOVE ONE ANOTHER · 2020-01-28 · A new season is upon us… No, I’m not talking about the crab season or even Valentine’s Day BUT the Season of Lent! This season starts with
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
Pastor Chris
A new season is upon us… No, I’m not talking about the crab season or even Valentine’s Day BUT the Season of Lent! This season starts with Ash Wednesday on February 26. So, as Christians, it is extremely important that we understand where we have come from. We are Christians who live almost 2,000 years after the ascension of Jesus the Christ. We are a long way removed from the historic moments of Jesus’ life on this earth. Even so, as believers in Jesus the Christ for our salvation, we belong to the Holy Christian Church that was created by Jesus and led by His apostles. Knowing this, we are never to be ignorant of the history of the Church to which we belong. A study of the history of the Church is always a worthwhile endeavor. In that light and in preparation for the season near at hand, a brief examination of the historic time of Lent now follows.
As early as the Third Century, Christians devoted themselves to prepare for the celebration of Easter. In these early generations, two days before Easter were dedicated to the Christian practice of fasting. From the end of the worship service on Good Friday to the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter — Christians would fast. Generations that followed increased the period of fasting to six days which was also the amount of time catechumens spent in humble preparation for the reception of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper that they would receive at the Easter service.
History shows that the length of preparation for Easter increased from one week to three weeks to six weeks, usually excluding Sundays, which were held by Christians as mini Easters. In Jerusalem, as early as the Fourth Century, Christians fasted for 40 days in preparation for Easter. The 40 days consisted of five days a week for eight weeks. These 40 days symbolized the 40 days that Moses dwelled on Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:1), the 40 days that Elijah journeyed to Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:8), and the 40 days that Jesus fasted in the wilderness (Matthew 4:2).
In the Seventh Century, the western church arrived at a 40 day preparation period for Easter. They were fasting for six weeks at six days a week for a total of 36 days. Beginning in that century, they decided to include the four days that preceded the first Sunday of preparation. That first day of Lent, then, was known as Ash Wednesday.
Okay, deep breath, did you get all that? Well, during the time of the Reformation (16th century), Martin
Luther continued to observe this preparation period. Many Lutheran Churches continue this practice today. Ash Wednesday (February 26, 2020) begins the season of Lent with its conclusion being the Saturday before Easter Sunday. Because Sundays are mini Easters, each Sunday in Lent is in Lent and not of Lent.
For those word buffs reading this, and even for those not so interested: The word Lent comes from the Old English word lencten or lengten, which means to lengthen. This word was applied to the season of the year when the days were lengthening, the season known as Spring. Lent and Spring therefore bear similar meanings. Oh, by the way… Spring is March 20, 2020! And we spring forward on March 8!
LOVE ONE ANOTHER
JOHN 3:16
05… Dagobert Schmidt 06… Shirley Hindmarsh Caroline Marzolf 07… Ella English Lorraine Montgomery 18… Karlee Schnaible 10… Joann Stewart 11… Anna Farley 12… Fran Forkas 14… Tina Abba Jim Quaschnick
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAY BASH
15… Sheryl Miller Jeanette Sides 17… Helga Buehrer 18… Jane King Rochelle Selby Lynsey Shelley 20… Margaret Quaschnick 21… Kathy Quaschnick 22… Penelope Russell 26… Esther Bender 27… Ed Oster 28… Gary Herendeen
05… Joe & Jane Willett (42) 22… Dave & Sheryl Miller (22) 28… Don & Janet Bricker (16)
Ash Wednesday Worship Service
February 26 @7pm
Join us for a special experience for everyone in the congregation.
There will be two stations, one lead by Pastor Chris and the other will be
for children and their families.
Volunteer to prepare a Lenten Dinner
March 4, 11, 18, 25, & April 1
Sign up at the Welcome Center
The E.L.C. Bunco Group has been blessed with the use of the Emanuel Social Hall since April 2015. We are enjoying great fellowship with one another, and able to have hot luncheons on special occasions. Every Monday each person gives $1 to help with facility
use expenses and as a contribution to the designated Kitchen Fund. In almost 5 years we have given $8,677 to Emanuel. E.L.C. Bunco Group says “Thank You.”
General Offering Fund Income $ 35,781
General Budgeted Expenses $ 29,282
General Fund Bank Balance $ 4,559
YTD Budget $324,856
YTD General Offerings $329,455
YTD Building Fund Income $ 35,202
January 21, 2019 Meeting
• Approved minutes from the December 17, 2019, Council Meeting as presented
• Accepted financial overview • Prepared for January 26, 2020, Congregational Meeting • Approved Benevolence: Local: Upward Sports Lodi ($400) Regional: Light the Way Lutheran, Tucson, AZ ($400) International: Bear Creek Water International ($400)
DESIGNATED FUND BANK ACCOUNT
(as of December 31)
Water Ministry ............................... $ 22
If you able to donate your “Lodi Transfer Station Voucher” to
Emanuel, it would be a real money-
saving blessing to our church
when we need to “dump” debris.
These came in your monthly bill
from the City of Lodi.
Get to know us better at a complimentary informal lunch with Pastor Chris. Learn about our mission, vision and beliefs. Ask those questions you’ve been wanting to ask. Enjoy lunch and fellowship! Sign-up at the Welcome Center or call the Office at 334-2130.
Are you interested in learning more about Emanuel Lutheran? Do you know someone who would like to know more?
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2 12:30 in the Fireside Room
Saturday April 18, 2020
Confirmation/Youth
Emanuel’s youth are encouraged to join in the Sundays listed @ 12:30pm in the Lobby: