Lent 2023 | Asbury

Will we be ready?

Lent is about preparation. This was true last year, and it will be true next year.

But this year especially, Asbury is on the brink of something new. It’s time to prepare.

Will we be ready?

- Pastor Andrew

Beginning Ash Wednesday and ending Holy Saturday, Lent is the 40 day period leading up to Easter (not including Sundays).

Lent is traditionally a time of preparation and privation; like the 40 day period Jesus spent in the desert before beginning his public ministry, Lent is a time for God’s people to make themselves ready for the new thing God is going to do.

For Asbury Church, 2023 is a pivotal year. Asbury left the United Methodist Church in November of 2022, and we are currently discerning what’s next for us.

We don’t know exactly what the future will look like, but we believe the Lord has big plans for us.

We’re asking our congregation to specifically prepare in the following 3 ways to get ourselves ready for both the raucous good news of Easter Sunday as well as the bright future God has for us.

Fast

Before modern times, virtually all Christians spent time in fasting. Why not try it this Lent?

At Asbury, we’ll be fasting from lunch each Wednesday during Lent.

Use hunger as a reminder to pray: “Lord, make me hungry for your work in my life.”

Pray

Make regular prayer a Lenten habit.

Here’s how: Start the day in silence. Sit in the same place each time. Put your phone in another room. Focus your thoughts on the Lord. Pastor Andrew uses a prayer rope during this time.

We will share more prayer tips in the coming weeks and will have opportunities for you to join us in an Easter prayer vigil during Holy Week. More details to come, including a sign-up link for the Holy Week prayer vigil.

Asbury has prayer beads for sale for $5 in the Guest Services area.

Worship

1. Attend Sunday worship every week—NO MATTER WHAT. Unless you are sick, don’t miss Sunday worship—and being out of town is not a reason to miss—other towns have churches, too.

2. We are starting a brief Holy Communion service in the Chapel every Wednesday at 7-7:20 am. Families, we'd love to see kids on the way to school—it’s just 6 Wednesdays. Make an effort and see what God will do. Grab-and-go breakfast will be available each Wednesday morning to make it even easier for you to get to work or school on time.

3. Plan now and schedule your life around Holy Week services.

Lent Classes

In addition, to help you in your journey of prayer and fasting we invite you to take part in one of the following discipleship classes offered on Sunday mornings, for 6 weeks beginning February 26 and running through April 2:

“Why Jesus?” taught by Pastor James, 9 am, 10:45 am, and 12:15 pm
“Sage or Curmudgeon?” hosted by Praise and Worship and Family Fellowship Communities, 9:00 and 10:45 am
“Life’s Healing Choices” hosted by Freedom Finders Community, 9 am

Lent Events

Ash Wednesday - Wednesday, February 22 from 7 am, Noon, 6:30 pm (Chapel & Sanctuary)
Ash Wednesday Dinner - Wednesday, February 22 from 5-6:15 pm (CLC) - Jamaican Jerk Chicken - Kids eat Free
Lent Communion Service - Wednesdays, March 1 to Wednesday, April 5 from 7-7:20 am (Chapel)
Palm Sunday - Sunday, April 2 @ 8 am, 9 am, 11 am (Chapel & Sanctuary)
Maundy Thursday - Thursday, April 6 @ 7 pm (Sanctuary)
Good Friday - Friday, April 7 @ 7 pm (Sanctuary)
Easter Sunday - Sunday, April 9 @ 630 am, 9 am, 11 am (Sanctuary)

Easter is always good news, but when we prepare—when we remember that the Cross comes before the Crown—Easter becomes ELECTRIC, and we become ready for the future God wants for us.

Will you be ready?

- Pastor Andrew