Lent

[dinkime]

Lent is "just around the corner"

does your church do anything special/different during this time? do you personally make any sacrifices?

[dinkime]

my church does a special weekly church service on wednesday night (with a soup supper before hand)

i usually do not give anything up as a sacrifice, Jesus did it all, but some years i do think about if i want to or what i would give up....

[KagomeShuko]

St. Paul has Wednesday night Lent services or studies of some type. Sometimes they are held in the fellowship hall. Sometimes we have them at the houses of the different members.

I don't tend to give stuff up for Lent, but I have thought about it.

[porterross]

We have Wednesday evening services with supper as well, but I do not purposely abstain from any food or drink, although it would be a good time to wean myself off chocolate. :P

Daily devotions for reading, audio and print download are here, BTW: http://www.lentendevotions.net/

[QuiltAngel]

We have weekly lenten services beginning with Ash Wednesday. We have three churches (2 pastors) where we rotate between them for services. Usually there is coffee and munchies after worship for fellowship.

As far as giving something up, that is up to the individual. I usually don't do anything.

[LilLamb219]

We have Wednesday Lenten services with I think the last one being Pie Night. Pastor says, "If you feed them, they will come." And he's right ;)

This year we're combining services with 2 other congregations in our circuit. I love it when we get together with the other local churches and I especially love it when our choirs get together to sing as we do on Ascension Day...but, I digress...

I don't give anything up although I'm sure there are tons of things I probably should ;)

[filosofer]

From September to May, we have a meal (prepared for us in the church) from 5-6, then Adult Bible Study/Confirmation/Midweek School from 6-7:15. During Advent and Lent we have worship at 11:30, 4:30, and 7:30 and continue with the meal and Bible study/etc.

I would definitely like to give up 40 pounds that I have carried around for the last 8 years (gained due to medicine I took back then).

In Christ's love,
filo

[ProfessorMom]

We have Wednesday services during Lent - soup afterwards. In my family, we do give up something for Lent.

[DaRev]

We are having two services on Ash Wednesday (Noon and 7pm) with imposition of ashes and the Lord's Supper.
Then during Lent we have a soup supper at 6pm and service at 7pm. This year we are using Vespers for the midweek service because after Easter I am going to continue the Wednesday night midweek Vespers as a regular service time.

As far as giving up anything, I was raised Roman Catholic (but I'm all better now) and was obligated to do that during Lent. I got out of the habit of it, but now that it's not obligatory, I feel that it's a more personal devotional thing to do. And it doesn't have to be something that you "give up," but it could also be something that perhaps you haven't done before, like volunteering for something during that time, etc. The whole point is to help us reflect on our sinfulness, our repentance, and our Lord's work done for us.

[IowaLutheran]

We are having two services on Ash Wednesday (Noon and 7pm) with imposition of ashes and the Lord's Supper.
Then during Lent we have a soup supper at 6pm and service at 7pm. This year we are using Vespers for the midweek service because after Easter I am going to continue the Wednesday night midweek Vespers as a regular service time.

As far as giving up anything, I was raised Roman Catholic (but I'm all better now) and was obligated to do that during Lent. I got out of the habit of it, but now that it's not obligatory, I feel that it's a more personal devotional thing to do. And it doesn't have to be something that you "give up," but it could also be something that perhaps you haven't done before, like volunteering for something during that time, etc. The whole point is to help us reflect on our sinfulness, our repentance, and our Lord's work done for us.


Our Lenten service schedule is almost exactly like yours.

I had no idea you were a former RC. My wife, also a former RC, has a very similar attitude toward Lent that you have.

[Edial]

Lent is "just around the corner"

does your church do anything special/different during this time? do you personally make any sacrifices?
Yes. My Wednesday nights. :)

[Edial]

Lent is "just around the corner"

does your church do anything special/different during this time? do you personally make any sacrifices?
How did the tradition of serving soup come to be?

[Confess]

As far as giving up anything, I was raised Roman Catholic (but I'm all better now) and was obligated to do that during Lent.

Me too!!! Especially up there in WI., where every Friday everyone serves Fish ... even the schools!

My husband fasts twice a week as is. NOT ME!!! My flesh is so weak that it is pathetic. Thank goodness I have another pregnancy to lean on for another year of not trying to something that I find so difficult.

It is true that Christ sacrificed it all for us. But just as I look at the cross to remember what Christ did for me, so too does fasting remind me as well ... that is IF I fasted. LOL!

[porterross]

Would it count if I gave up my treadmill?

[QuiltAngel]

I think the soup suppers came to be for two reason. One is that if people don't have to make supper/dinner, then they will come. Another, which really goes with the first, it is provides different groups in the church to reaise money.

[Edial]

Would it count if I gave up my treadmill?

Then after Lent you would need to go to a private confession ... and explain all this.

[Edial]

I think the soup suppers came to be for two reason. One is that if people don't have to make supper/dinner, then they will come. Another, which really goes with the first, it is provides different groups in the church to reaise money.
Thanks. :)

[porterross]

Then after Lent you would need to go to a private confession ... and explain all this.
I think my increased dimensions would be quite public.

[Edial]

I think my increased dimensions would be quite public.^_^ ^_^ ^_^ ^_^ :)

[Edial]

From September to May, we have a meal (prepared for us in the church) from 5-6, then Adult Bible Study/Confirmation/Midweek School from 6-7:15. During Advent and Lent we have worship at 11:30, 4:30, and 7:30 and continue with the meal and Bible study/etc.

I would definitely like to give up 40 pounds that I have carried around for the last 8 years (gained due to medicine I took back then).

In Christ's love,
filo

porterross has a treadmill for rent ...

[filosofer]

I think the soup suppers came to be for two reason. One is that if people don't have to make supper/dinner, then they will come. Another, which really goes with the first, it is provides different groups in the church to reaise money.

For us, it is a matter of time and travel. We have many elderly people, who come for Bible sturdy at 6 PM, and it is difficult for them to prepare supper prior to that, and too late afterward.

Also, it has become a great social time.

While we have a suggested donation, it goes to the couple (professional caterers) who prepare the meal. I would hate to see the meal become a fund-raiser event (nothing undermines Biblical stewardship like a fund-raiser - but I digress). :)

In Christ's love,
filo

[porterross]

nothing undermines Biblical stewardship like a fund-raiser




Hear, hear!

[dinkime]

true about the fundraising!! usually we have church groups do the dinners (choir, youthgroup, etc) and some groups do put out a basket for freewill offerings, if it is youthgroup, then we put the money toward a mission, other groups may use it to cover the costs of their members for the food, etc

we have 2 pastors who trade churches & services every other week during lent (3 at advent, but one does a different thing at lent with a special bible study, etc that the other churches do not do)

[DaRev]

porterross has a treadmill for rent ...

Hey, maybe I could take up the treadmill for Lent.:D

The Lord knows I could drop a few... a hundred pounds!;) ^_^

[porterross]

The Lord knows I could drop a few... a hundred pounds!;) ^_^

Not if you divide by the Earth's gravity and on the moon, we would weigh about 1/6 of what we do here. Math is very, very good! ;)

[KagomeShuko]

Not if you divide by the Earth's gravity and on the moon, we would weigh about 1/6 of what we do here. Math is very, very good! ;)
You could go to Jupiter, and then you'd be REALLY heavy!

[QuiltAngel]

So a group makes the meal and puts out a basket for a freewill offering. What do the groups do with the funds above the cost of preparing the meal? Do the groups purchase all the food or do they have the members donate it? However you spin it, it is fundraising is it not?

DaRev, I am trying the weight loss thing myself. I have gone with using a pedometer to see how much I walk in a day and each day try to increase that. I just started this a week ago. I have been pretty lazy so right now am just trying to double what I do in a given day. Eventually, I will come up with a daily goal, but one has to build up to this when they are as out of shape as I am.

[ctay]

We have services wednesday nights during lent, Supper before the service. We rotated pastors last year, don't know what the pastor has planned this year.

[dinkime]

So a group makes the meal and puts out a basket for a freewill offering. What do the groups do with the funds above the cost of preparing the meal? Do the groups purchase all the food or do they have the members donate it? However you spin it, it is fundraising is it not?

most groups DO NOT put out a basket, and the ones that do rarely go over the cost of food...the only one that occassionally does is the youthgroup and the funds raised go to a specific purpose (youth rallys that are out of state, mission work, etc)

[C.F.W. Walther]

Potlucks and free meals are just an excuse to entice people to come to church rather than go out into the community and witness.

Members consider it easier to let the atmosphere of the church or church activities entice people to come and participate. Some members hope that once they get the people inside the church then the pastor will do all the evangelizing so they don't have to.

It's a low key and easier way to introduce people to the church without having to say anything about Christianity to outsiders because some members don't want to be embarrassed by witnessing.

Cynical----------------maybe.

[DaRev]

Not if you divide by the Earth's gravity and on the moon, we would weigh about 1/6 of what we do here. Math is very, very good! ;)


Hmmmm... interesting.

I wonder what my cholesterol count would be on the moon... :scratch:

;) ^_^

[Edial]

Hmmmm... interesting.

I wonder what my cholesterol count would be on the moon... :scratch:

;) ^_^
:D :)

[porterross]

Mass is universal (literally) and I'm pretty sure cholesterol is as well...sorry.

The treadmill combined with daily oatmeal couldn't hurt. ;)

[Edial]

Potlucks and free meals are just an excuse to entice people to come to church rather than go out into the community and witness.

Members consider it easier to let the atmosphere of the church or church activities entice people to come and participate. Some members hope that once they get the people inside the church then the pastor will do all the evangelizing so they don't have to.

It's a low key and easier way to introduce people to the church without having to say anything about Christianity to outsiders because some members don't want to be embarrassed by witnessing.

Cynical----------------maybe.
I find it to be true to some extent.

When I became a believer I sensed that I NEED to go to church.
However, I became a believer OUTSIDE of a church - Billy Graham Crusade on TV and a Bible that a relative gave me.

But personally speaking, I like the Lutheran methodology of asking a person to come to church with him.

Thanks, :)
Ed

[Edial]

Mass is universal (literally) and I'm pretty sure cholesterol is as well...sorry.

The treadmill combined with daily oatmeal couldn't hurt. ;)
I'm gonna look for some oatmeal in kitchen ...

[DaRev]

Mass is universal (literally)

Hmmm...

Since "catholic" means "universal", would that be considered "catholic mass"? ^_^ ^_^ ^_^

[porterross]

Hmmm...

Since "catholic" means "universal", would that be considered "catholic mass"? ^_^ ^_^ ^_^

Computer says no.....but I was afraid you were going to make that connection.:doh:

With me, it's either Lutheran theology or Physics (Newton rocks!:bow:). Both are equally logical and reasonable to me. :)

[DaRev]

Computer says no.....but I was afraid you were going to make that connection.:doh:


Uh-oh... you know me too well... that could be dangerous...


...for both of us!! :D ^_^

[ctay]

At my church everyone puts down something they are going to bring. No money basket. Plus it really doesn't help bringing people to church, the dinners before anyway.

[KimLCMS]

We have two Ash Wednesday services. We also have a noon and 7pm service every Wednesday during Lent. There is a meal after the noon sevice and before the evening service.

I personally think of Lent as a great time to reflect on life and to do a lot of repenting. I haven't thought about giving up anything really this year to be honest, although I have in past years. Our pastor suggested givning 10% of our time to prayer during Lent - that's about 2 1/2 hours a day. I'll shot for that but it definately will not be easy :prayer:

[Edial]

We have two Ash Wednesday services. We also have a noon and 7pm service every Wednesday during Lent. There is a meal after the noon sevice and before the evening service.

I personally think of Lent as a great time to reflect on life and to do a lot of repenting. I haven't thought about giving up anything really this year to be honest, although I have in past years. Our pastor suggested givning 10% of our time to prayer during Lent - that's about 2 1/2 hours a day. I'll shot for that but it definately will not be easy :prayer:
If you could do that, I'd post some of my requests to help fill your praying time. :)

I'm not kidding. :)

Welcome to the forums. (I see it's your 2nd post).

Thanks, :)
Ed