Observing the Season of Lent
Lent is a season of the church calendar that has been observed widely throughout church history. The Gospel of Matthew recounts how the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert for 40 days to be tested as he was preparing for the beginning of his ministry. The 40 day period of Lent is an invitation to join Jesus in the desert and serves as a way to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of Easter.
This season is a time for repentance as we reflect on the journey of Jesus to the cross, and a time to rejoice as we remember his resurrection and the love and grace he has for all. As we do this, we can't help but be led by the Holy Spirit to pick up our own cross and joyfully submit ourselves to our loving saviour Jesus of Nazareth, the King and Lord of our lives.
There are a number of ways for you to join with the Soul community as we observe Lent in 2023.
1. Ash Wednesday Gathering
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent. During our Ash Wednesday gathering we confront our own mortality and our need for a Saviour, in community we confess our sin before God. This short gathering will include corporate prayer, song, and a lenten reflection.
When: Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023 @ 7:00pm
Where: Student Centre (2nd Floor), 2050 Chevrier Blvd.
Who: All people are invited, while children are welcome to join, there is no children's ministry provided.
2. Lenten Digital Life Group
Life Together: Lent is a church-wide 5 week Life Group that calls the Soul Sanctuary community to reflection, prayer, and repentance as we focus our hearts and minds during the forty days before Easter. Each Sunday of Lent a new selection of readings, reflection, and discussion questions will be posted for all of us to engage with individually and then corporately by using the Church Center app and engaging in discussion with one another.
3. Community Worship Nights
We invite the Soul community to join us for three worship nights in the first half of 2023. These evenings will be dedicated to worship and teaching about worship. Our intention is to create a space where we can come before God and offer praise, all the while learning about expressions of worship that we may be unfamiliar with. More information on our worship nights is available on Church Center.
Worship Night, March 5 (childcare provided)
Palm Sunday Worship Night, April 2
Pentecost Sunday Worship Night, May 29