It officially starts tomorrow, and Lent services will begin on Sunday. Rev John Ruhle, from The Gap Uniting Church, gives us a quick insight into what Lent Event will mean for his congregation and family.
As the year rolls on, it’s with a sense of anticipation that we’ve been making worship service preparations for Lent at The Gap UC (Queensland.) Hard to believe that we’re already at that point in the Christian Calendar, but there it is! Tomorrow it all begins!
As a minister I’m conscious that Lent is a real highlight in the life of the congregation. It’s a time for us to prepare to reflect on Jesus’ death and resurrection and everything that means for us as Followers. The addition of the Lent Event focus serves to add to the sense of anticipation and purpose surrounding this season. Lent Event provides us with a guide for the spiritual journey as well as something practical to do in solidarity with our partners overseas.
Our worship team have already met to plan our Lent Services, and now they’re all ready to go. Last year we used banners to create a sense of atmosphere as well as rocks and sand to create a waterfall that created a great visual and drew attention to some of the themes we were pursuing. I’m keenly aware that the Lent Event material provides great resources for our worship services, kids time, Sunday School children and also study groups within the life of the congregation. Our Sunday School, GROW, particularly enjoyed using the money boxes and other resources. I guess the whole program helps to bring the voices and faces of our overseas partners amongst us as we gather. As we have in the last few years, I have no doubt that through the material we’ll be challenged as Jesus followers again this year.
Now… I guess you want to know what I’m going to give up to help support the Lent Event projects!!?? Last year it was yoghurt for our family- we all enjoy it on our cereal but it can be a bit of a luxury and quite expensive, really. So we gave it up for the whole Lenten period and the money went off to support projects! You’ll have to stay tuned to hear what it is this time around…
