Spring Into Easter: Ash Wednesday and Easter Choir

Easter

It seems as though we just finished the Christmas season, but here among the church staff planning for Easter has begun. The time leading up to Easter is known as Lent, beginning on Ash Wednesday and continuing through Maundy Thursday. Lent is the six-week (40 day) period of preparation for Easter, commemorating the 40 days that Jesus fasted in the desert. The six Sundays in Lent aren't counted in the 40 days, as each one is considered a "mini-Easter," a time to celebrate Jesus' victory over death.

At Montrose Church, we mark the beginning of Lent with an Ash Wednesday family service, providing a time for you to consider your personal journey to Easter. While we don't consider it a requirement to "give up" something for Lent (such as food, activities, etc.), many people find it especially meaningful to practice this tradition each year.

If you love to sing, another way you can prepare for Easter this year is to share your voice. Our Easter Choir is open to those age 12 and above, and rehearsals begin in March. To find out more, see the details below and plan to attend our orientation meeting.

Prepare for Easter by joining us for:

Ash Wednesday Services - Wednesday, 2/22, 6 and 7:30 p.m.
Easter Choir - Orientation meeting on Thursday, 2/23, 7 p.m. at the Ministry Office (directions). (RSVP to sharie.robbins@montrosechurch.org and include what part you sing); rehearsals begin 3/15.

Posted on Mon, February 20, 2012 by Eric McClenahan filed under

1 comment (Add your own)

1. Cyndi Roberts wrote:: Here's an excerpt from a great article I read today: "Practicing Lent: What are You Giving Up for Lent?" (http://www.thetransformingcenter.org/?p=2721)

"Unfortunately, the practice of entering into the Lenten season has often been reduced to the question: 'What are you giving up for Lent?' This is a fine question, but it only takes us so far. The real question of the Lenten season is: How will I repent and return to God with all my heart? This begs an even deeper question: Where in my life have I gotten away from God and what are the disciplines that will enable me to find my way back?

How many and how subtle are the ways we 'leave' God and the true spiritual journey in favor of other pursuits—even those that seem very noble and even necessary. The cares and concerns of life in this world and even the dreams and visions that God has given us can become distractions from the relationship itself. One day we wake up and realize that we have tolerated that which is intolerable and compromised that which is of greatest value. Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart."
Wed, February 22, 2012 @ 5:55 AM