The Lenten Journey 2021
There is so much creativity in the programs and opportunities offered by churches in the Diocese to help us set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ. During Lent, we consider his suffering and his sacrifice, his life, death, burial in preparation of celebrating his resurrection on Easter Sunday. None of us expected to still be experiencing a quarantine during another Lent, yet so many churches have offered meaningful ways to gather and reflect together. Well done!
Christ the King encourages individuals and families to worship together at home by providing a weekly email titled “Faith at Home” with everything needed to spend focused time with the Lord. “The format is simple and Anglican in nature, with a brief liturgy, readings, prayers, and a reflection connected to the sermon series.”
“The almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless us and keep us, this night (day) and evermore. Amen.”
Christ Church in South Riding VA is watching the movie “Bonhoeffer: Agent of Grace” over a series of weeks. They meet socially distanced over a simple meal, spend time in spoken worship, watch a portion of the movie and discuss it.
“There is meaning in every journey that is unknown to the traveler.”
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
The worship team at Church of the Apostles in Fairfax, VA has put together a playlist on YouTube for Lent that will usher you in to quietly worship the Lord.
“True belief and true repentance
Every grace that brings you nigh”
(Come Ye Sinners Poor and Needy)
Church of the Holy Spirit in Leesburg, VA is doing a six-week Bible study and devotional that includes "The Way of the Heart" by Henri J. M. Nouwen. This devotional “clears before us the spiritual path consisting of three stepping-stones: solitude, silence and prayer.”
“Only in the context of grace can we face our sin;
only in the place of healing do we dare to show our wounds;
only with a single-minded attention to Christ
can we give up our clinging fears and face our own true nature.”
-Henri Nouwen
The Church of the Messiah in Chesapeake, VA is studying together Paul's Letter to the Ephesians this Lent. The six themes explored during Lent include “Saved and Unified” and “Empowered and Strengthened.”
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.
And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us,
a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
Ephesians 5:1-2
Incarnation Anglican in Arlington, VA has a beautiful selection of Lenten Reflections (all ages are encouraged to submit) on their church blog here.
“Pause. Relinquish control. Rejoice.”
The Rev. Liz Gray
New Creation Church in Hagerstown, MD has a Lenten sermon series titled “Back to the Cross” and follows the weekly readings in the lectionary.
“Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother,
and His mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas),
and Mary Magdalene.” John 19:25
The DOMA Staff is reading a variety of books as part of their individual Lenten disciplines. Including:
Suffering, Martyrdom, and Rewards in Heaven by Josef Ton
God’s Passion for His Glory: Living the Vision of Jonathan Edwards by John Piper
Seeing God by Gerald McDermott
The Psalm on the Cross by David Roseberry
Lent for Everyone by N. T. Wright
Prayer in the Night by Tish Harrison Warren