A New Day:
Prepare our hearts, O Lord.

7:00 a.m.
Christ Church Main Sanctuary
Rite II Holy Eucharist, Imposition of Ashes

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Clergy Bible Study
In the Dining Room or via ZOOM
We are currently studying the Gospel according to Luke. All are welcome!

12:00 p.m.
Christ Church Main Sanctuary
and livestreaming on YouTube
Rite II Holy Eucharist with Imposition of Ashes

1:00 p.m. -5:00 p.m.
Formation + Arts Building
Prayer Stations lead through the F+A Building into the church, with Imposition of Ashes.

5:30 p.m.
Cobblestone Atrium
Family friendly Eucharist service with Imposition of Ashes.

7:00 p.m.
Christ Church Main Sanctuary
Rite II Holy Eucharist with Imposition of Ashes

Early Christians observed “a season of penitence and fasting” in preparation for the Paschal feast, or Pascha (BCP, pp. 264-265). The season now known as Lent (from an Old English word meaning “spring,” the time of lengthening days) has a long history. Originally, in places where Pascha was celebrated on a Sunday, the Paschal feast followed a fast of up to two days. In the third century this fast was lengthened to six days. Eventually this fast became attached to, or overlapped, another fast of forty days, in imitation of Christ’s fasting in the wilderness. The forty-day fast was especially important for converts to the faith who were preparing for baptism, and for those guilty of notorious sins who were being restored to the Christian assembly. In the western church the forty days of Lent extend from Ash Wednesday through Holy Saturday, omitting Sundays. The last three days of Lent are the sacred Triduum of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Today Lent has reacquired its significance as the final preparation of adult candidates for baptism. Joining with them, all Christians are invited “to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word” (BCP, p. 265).