On the Lenten Journey
By Joyce D. Sohl
Lent is a holy season of the church year, beginning with Ash Wednesday (Feb. 18) and ending on Easter (April 5). It began in the early church as a time for preparing new converts for baptism on Easter. Today it is seen as a time for all Christians to prepare for Easter through prayer, reflection, silence, repentance, reading, and growing in the grace of God.
The word “Lent” comes from the Anglo-Saxon word that means “spring” or “springtime.” Literally the word signifies the time of year when the days lengthen. Many see these forty days as a time to refresh and renew their relationship with God and each other. It is a time to bring “springtime” into the soul burdened by racial tension, economic insecurity, and the lack of world peace.
Vespers & All That Jazz is using the theme: “On the Lenten Journey: Uncovering Identity” this year. Meeting each Sunday evening at 6:30-7:15, the contemplative music service will be focused on the following each Sunday:
February 22 Covenant: The Identity of God’s People / Genesis 9:12-17; Mark 1:9-15
March 1 Transformation: The Identity of Self / Mark 8:34-38
March 8 The Identity of God / Psalm 19:7-10; John 2:13-17
March 15 Grace: The Identity of Christ / Ephesians 2:4-10
March 22 True Identity: God Knows Our Hearts / Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 51:1, 10-12
March 29 Palm Sunday: In Which Parade Will You Enter the City? / Mark 11:1-11
April 5 Easter: Women at the Tomb / Mark 16:1-8
Come and join us for one or all of these services. Experience this Lent as a time of transformation, renewal and inspiration through jazz music, poetry, scripture, readings and prayer. Come and receive God’s gift of a Lenten journey!
Joyce D. Sohl has been Laywoman-in-Residence since 2009 as a full-time volunteer. She retired as CEO of United Methodist Women in 2004. She is the author of 4 books, a teacher, retreat leader, writer and non-professional musician. Here at the Center her work is in the area of Spirituality & the Arts with such programs as Tuesdays in the Chapel, Vespers & All That Jazz, Poet’s Corner, and quarterly retreats and art exhibits.