Good Morning

we begin our day in stillness and quiet

to give one another time to pause our journey in God’s presence

The forty days before Easter is known as Lent. This is the time of year in England when the days begin to get longer with the coming of Spring. What is Lent?

When does Lent begin? Lent begins the day after Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day.

In the old days there were many foods that Christians would not eat during Lent: such as meat and fish, fats, eggs, and milky foods.

So that no food was wasted, families would have a feast on Shrove Tuesday, and eat up all the foods that wouldn't last the forty days of Lent without going off.

Pancakes were made on Shrove Tuesday as they were a dish that could use up eggs, fats and milk in the house by just adding flour.

The 40-day period of Lent is often linked to Jesus' experience in the desert following his baptism and before he began his preaching ministry (Mark 1:12- 13). The story of the temptations (Matthew 4:1-11), and the idea of fasting for a long period, are both parts of the Lenten tradition. Why is Lent 40 days?

After Jesus was baptised, he went off alone into the desert. He spent a long time there praying and preparing for the work God had for him to do. He went without food for 40 days.

The devil came to Jesus to tempt him.

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “IIt is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

There are many special days in Lent leading up to Easter, the most important of all Christian festivals. Lent is the time when Christians prepare for Easter by thinking of things they have done wrong.

On Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, we go into church and have a cross of ash put on our foreheads. This ash is made from burned palm leaves. It is a symbol of asking God to forgive our sins.

Ashes are a symbol of penance made sacramental by the blessing of the Church, and they help us develop a spirit of humility and sacrifice.

Lent is traditionally the time Christians get ready for the events of Holy Week and Easter Sunday. This festival is so important that it needs preparation space so that they can think through what it really means. Lent is a time to pause and do this before they try and carry on as Christians throughout the rest of the year.

During Lent Christians used to fast (give up food) but nowadays people try to give up something like chocolate. Lent is a time when Christians remember the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert without food.

Lent is not about wanting to show other people how good we are at not eating chocolate, but about making more room for God in our lives.

Instead of giving something up during Lent we could decide to do something good instead.

Lent is a time to pause and prepare ourselves.

Lent is a time to sort things out to make things right and make a fresh start

to think about what is really important

It is a time to make ourselves ready ready to be the best we can

Lent is a time for saying sorry for things.

And knowing our Heavenly Father will forgive us.

How then, can we prepare for Easter?

We can start, like all things, by setting ourselves a goal… something to aim for.

Something that shows we are capable of doing anything

How will you challenge yourself this lent? What will you achieve?

Think about getting closer to God.

The last week of Lent begins with Palm Sunday, which celebrates the day Jesus entered Jerusalem and the people lay down palms at his feet.

In Lent Christians are preparing for the final days of Jesus’ work when He showed His commitment and His courage

by completing His work and sticking to His goals even when it seemed to others that He was wrong

This Lent Let us think about His commitment and His courage

and challenge ourselves to do the same

We will all sing together Be Still

Be still, for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One, is here; come, bow before him now with reverence and fear. In him no sin is found, we stand on holy ground. Be still, for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One, is here;

Be still, for the glory of the Lord is shining all around; he burns with holy fire, with splendour he is crowned. How awesome is the sight, our radiant King of Light! Be still, for the glory of the Lord is shining all around.

Be still, for the power of the Lord is moving in this place; he comes to cleanse and heal, to minister his grace. No work too hard for him, in faith receive from him. Be still, for the power of the Lord is moving in this place.

Let us pray

How will you challenge yourself this lent? What will you achieve?

We hope our visitors will stay behind for tea and biscuits.