LENT RESOURCES
Ash wednesday service
Wednesday February 14th | 7:00PM at Trinity OC Church - 1310 East Walnut Ave Orange, 92867
We are excited to invite you to our annual Ash Wednesday worship service. We will gather together for a joint service with Trinity OC and New Life Irvine as we enter the season of Lent, reflect on Christ’s death and prepare for the glory of his resurrection. Your friends and neighbors are welcome to attend this special evening. No childcare will be provided.
The Significance of lent
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten Season.
For those who are new to Lent, Pastor Adam explains how to take advantage of this season in preparation for Easter.
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Lent for Families
Lent is an excellent time of the year to intentionally invite our children into the story of Jesus by creating family traditions and cultivating a culture of worship together. Read about some suggestions we have for you and your family this Lenten season.
“Allow the children to come to me,” Jesus said. “Don’t forbid them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people like these children.” – Matthew 19:14
“I think we underestimate kids. Small children’s ability to understand difficult theological concepts is enormous.” – Madeleine L’Engle
Lent is an excellent time of the year to intentionally invite our children into the story of Jesus by creating family traditions and cultivating a culture of worship together. We can remind our kids of how Advent was a season of preparation for Christmas, so Lent is a season of preparation for Easter. To best prepare for the glory of Jesus’ resurrection, here are some suggestions to consider doing with your children and youth:
Family Worship
Try observing family worship together thirty minutes before bedtime – teeth are brushed, pajamas are on. And depending on circumstances, attentiveness of the children, etc. plan on anywhere from 10-20 minutes.
Perhaps you might:
• Practice the Lenten Candles. See more details below.
• Read and discuss the Scripture passage for the day.
• Read and discuss a children’s Bible story book, like the Jesus Storybook Bible.
• Pray together.
• Sing a Lenten song together (see appendix in the Lent Guide)
Family Fasting
Fasting, self-denial, helps us see how we turn to things other than God for our comfort. Fasting can involve food and non-food items. As a family, consider fasting together and what to fast from. Perhaps everyone can abstain from a nightly dessert, or devices or screen time after a certain time. Whatever it is, make the fast simple and something that everyone can participate in. Remember: Sundays are feast days, so break your fast on Sundays, and celebrate the resurrection!
Family Giving
Cultivate a habit of charity and self-giving. As we turn to God, we naturally turn to those around us in need. Review the local organizations listed on page 4 and serve one of them as a family, or get creative and help your children become generous by giving away old, or even new, toys and items to others.
Sunday Worship Services
The Lenten season is a wonderful time to help your children realize that the church is their family, that worship should be their first duty and greatest joy. Make Sunday worship a priority.
Consider Having Your Children Baptized
If your children are yet to be baptized, Lent is a wonderful time to consider having them baptized during the Easter season! If your children are older and haven’t been baptized, begin having conversations with them about baptism. If you are interested in scheduling a baptism or have questions, please contact Pastor Adam Feichtmann at contact@redeemeroc.org
Preparation for First Communion
If your children understand the gospel, then this season could be a wonderful time to take the steps toward having them admitted to the Lord’s Table for their First Communion. Download Redeemer’s First Communion Information & Study Guide - https://redeemeroc.org/children If after going through the study guide with your child(ren) you sense they are ready, please contact Pastor Adam Feichtmann at contact@redeemeroc.org to arrange a time for a First Communion interview.
Lenten Candles
Whereas Advent is a season of ever-increasing light anticipating the incarnation of Christ, Lent is a season of ever-decreasing light approaching His crucifixion. Light is gradually extinguished to symbolize the journey through the wilderness and toward the cross and tomb.
Unlike Advent where a new candle is lit each week and the light slowly gets brighter, during Lent each week gets progressively darker, until there is complete darkness on Good Friday. On Easter Sunday all of the candles are lit as we celebrate the best news ever that He is risen!
As you walk through Lent and Holy week, the candles will visually remind you of the powerful truth that “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). But for a while on Good Friday and Holy Saturday it may have seemed as if the darkness was overcoming – for a long while.
What do you need?
- Seven purple candles
- One white candle (the Christ candle)
- Optional: a tray to hold all the candles.
How do the Lenten Candles Work?
Begin on Ash Wednesday by lighting all eight candles.
Read the appointed Psalm(s) and/or Gospel passage for the evening.
After the reading, say “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness have not overcome it.” Then snuff out one candle. Do not light it again until Easter.
Each evening you can light the candles that have not been snuffed out and read the appointed Psalm(s) and/or Gospel passage.
On each Sunday you say the words of John 1:5, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness have not overcome it.” and snuff out an additional purple candle.
On Good Friday you follow the same pattern and snuff out the white Christ candle. Leave all the candles unlit on Holy Saturday.
On Easter Sunday, with great joy, light all the candles and boldly say, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness have not overcome it!”
An alternative practice is to just do the candles during Holy Week. If you do that, buy five purple candles and one white candle. You will start snuffing purple candles out on Palm Sunday and then the white candle on Good Friday.