Why Lent, and How do I Engage Practically?

WHY LENT?

Lent is the season of 40 days leading up to Good Friday and Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday, continues through Holy Week, and is historically marked by themes of repentance, self-examination, and preparation before Easter. Those unfamiliar with Lent might associate this season with “doing penance” as those trying to earn God’s favor, but this is the furthest thing from the truth! Lent actually invites us to journey deeper into the Gospel. Lent has historically invited us into the drama of the life of Jesus, particularly focusing in on His 40 days in the wilderness immediately after His baptism. Jesus gave Himself to fasting and prayer and resisting the temptation of the devil. Unlike Israel in the wilderness for 40 years after the Exodus, Jesus faithfully obeyed and relied on His Father! We too ask God to meet us in this intentionally set-apart time, knowing our weakness and inability to do anything without His Spirit. May Lent lead us into increased intimacy with the Father, appreciation for the sacrifice of His Son, and dependence on the Spirit’s power in our lives!

HOW DO WE ENGAGE IN IT CORPORATELY?

1. Ash Wednesday

We will begin the season of Lent with Ash Wednesday services on February 26th at 6:30am and 6:30pm at the Park Church building. This service will last about an hour, and we will engage in prayer and song together as well as receive the imposition of the ashes. Ash Wednesday is a day to stare at death in the face and acknowledge our mortality, to be honest about our sin and need for a Savior, and to joyfully remember we are not those without hope because of the work of Jesus! Kids are invited and welcome to be a part of this service.

2. Corporate Prayer

Throughout the season of Lent, we invite everyone to consider joining us for corporate prayer in two contexts: Thursday Morning Prayer at 6:30am in the side gallery at Park as well as on Sundays for our Boiler Room Prayer at 8:15am in the basement. Children are welcome!

3. Maundy Thursday

During Holy Week (the final week leading up to Easter), some Gospel Communities gather for Maundy Thursday, celebrating the night that Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, gave final instructions, and washed his disciples’ feet.

4. Good Friday

We will celebrate with Good Friday services at 5:30 and 7pm on the evening of Friday, April 10, at the Park Church building. We’ll allow the Scriptures to take us to the scene of our Lord’s betrayal, arrest, trial, crucifixion and burial, setting us up for a deep celebration of Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday.

HOW DO WE ENGAGE IN IT PERSONALLY?

This year we’re inviting everyone at Park Church who is participating in Lent to engage in three kinds of spiritual practices: fasting, prayer, and generosity. We covered the basics in our “Engaging With Lent 2020” guide that we’ll be handing out on Sundays and Ash Wednesday, but here we’ll take a little bit of time around each practice but also share some practical ways of exploring each.

1. Fasting

Fasting is one of those disciplines that most Christians know they should do, but rarely get around to it. The interesting thing is that it’s one of the disciplines we see Jesus doing (Matthew 4:1–11; 17:21), a discipline He assumes His disciples are doing (Matthew 6:16) and a discipline we see the early church continuing to do (Acts 13:1–3; 14:23). So what is it? David Mathis defines fasting as “voluntarily going without food—or any other regularly enjoyed, good gift from God—for the sake of some spiritual purpose.” Fasting ultimately is about refraining from one thing that we might engage more intentionally with another, namely God. Sam Storms comments, “The ironic thing about fasting is that it really isn’t about not eating food. It’s about feeding on the fullness of every divine blessing secured for us in Christ. Fasting tenderizes our hearts to experience the presence of God. It expands the capacity of our souls to hear his voice and be assured of his love and be filled with the fullness of his joy. Let me say it again: Fasting is not primarily about not eating food. It is primarily about feasting on God.” Practically speaking, there are a couple great ways of exploring fasting during Lent: One is called a whole fast, where you actually skip whole meals with the exception of water, juice, or liquids. This kind of fast can be hard for some people due to particular physical conditions so don’t just jump in without considering how it might affect you. A way of easing your way into this whole fast is simply by skipping breakfast and lunch on a day and eating dinner in the evening. Another way would be to do a 24 hour whole fast where you only drink water, juice, or liquid during that day. Many from Park will choose to do this together on Wednesday if you’d like to join us! Another way is called a partial fast, which could also be more tied to the season of Lent and called a seasonal fast. This might look like you giving up eating sugar or drinking alcohol. Others choose to give up things like social media, Netflix, etc. The important thing isn’t necessarily what you’re giving up, but what you do in the absence of that item and where it leads your heart. Fasting generally is never a solo discipline, but rather should always be practiced in conjunction with prayer.

2. Prayer

We believe that prayer is an essential part of what it means to be both a human and a Christian. It’s about communion and communication with the God we were created to know and walk with. As we fast during this season of Lent, we also feast on God through prayer! We encourage everyone to find meaningful ways to pray corporately (see above for a couple corporate prayer times) and personally in this season. As far as personal prayer, we’re encouraging everyone to pray The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9–13) daily during the season of Lent. Many may choose to pray it first thing in the morning, starting their days by re-orienting their hearts to their Father in heaven! Others may pray it ongoingly and continuously during the day. However you choose to pray this prayer, we encourage you to open your heart as you do! This prayer isn’t intended merely to be a check box in order to feel good about yourself, but rather a launching pad for intimacy and communion with God Himself.

3. Generosity

As we fast from food or particular hobbies that cost money, we want to be open to re-directing the money saved and invest that somewhere else. The God we serve is an insanely generous and kind God. How might you learn to imitate Him and His generosity? How might God be directing you to be generous with your time, energy, and money in this season of Lent? Is there an organization that Park works with that you can contribute toward (find a comprehensive list at love5280.org)? Is there a need that might come up in your neighborhood or friendships where you can assist in? This practice works in conjunction with fasting and prayer and aids in shaping us in becoming more Christlike. It’s a reminder that our spirituality affects all aspects of our lives, including our bank account and how we view money.

Final Encouragement

Wanted to close this time by encouraging you in five ways:
  1. Plan before Ash Wednesday.​ The longer you wait, the less likely you are to do anything.
  2. Ask God what His invitation is to you this Lent! Let Lent be part of your relationship with God.​ Talk to God about where He wants you to grow. Where have there been areas of struggle? Where is God shining a light and inviting you to walk more closely with Him in? David Powlison has some amazing questions called “X Ray Questions” that might be of help as we practice some of this self-examination. Here’s a short sampling of those:
    • Where do you find refuge, safety, comfort, and escape? When you are fearful, discouraged, and upset, where do you run? Do you run to God for comfort and safety or to something else? (To food, to others, to work, to solitude?)
    • What do you love? Is there something you love more than God or your neighbor?
    • What do you want? What do you desire? What do you crave, long for, wish? Whose desires do you obey?
    • What do you think about most often? In the morning, to what does your mind drift instinctively?
    • When you are doing a menial task or driving alone in your car, what captures your mind? What is your mindset?
    • What do you talk about? What occupies your conversations with others? What subjects do you tend to discuss over and over with your friends? The Bible says it is out of the heart that our mouths speak.
    3. Your answers to questions these might help lead you as you process how to fast, pray, and be generous!
  3. Don’t take too much on.​ Keep it simple. If you take on too much, you’ll get overwhelmed. Take on 1–3 new practices. I’m going to fast from this on this day or the whole time; I’m going to gather for pre-service prayer at Park; I’m going to try to give some money to someone or something during that time. For parents, it might be doing one weekly devotional. If you’re not trying to add stuff in your world, consider just studying Exodus which we’re going through as a church more closely.
  4. Share your plan with a friend or spouse​, and then chat with them during the time about how it’s going.
  5. Don’t be discouraged by failures.​ Let any failures lead you back to the truth that God is more gracious than we are sinful! He’s kind. John Newton said, ​“Our sins are many, but His mercies are more: our sins are great, but His righteousness is greater: we are weak, but He is power.” What a truth to celebrate as we jump into Lent!

Resources

On the Christian Year “Living The Christian Year: Time To Inhabit The Story of God” Bobby Gross “Ancient Future Time” Robert Webber On Lent “Lent for Everyone: Matthew” NT Wright (we will have some copies available in our bookstore) “Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross” A series of writings compiled by Nancy Guthrie “Why Lent” Park Church Podcast “The Christian Year: Lent” Musical, visual, and spiritual resources from Park Church and others for the season of Lent On the Lord’s Prayer “The Lord And His Prayer” NT Wright “The Lord’s Prayer: A Guide To Praying To Our Father” Wesley Hill “Dallas’ Personal Daily Practices” Dallas Willard on how he uses the Lord’s Prayer daily. “A Simple Way To Pray Every Day” A short blog from Desiring God on how to use the Lord’s Prayer. On Fasting “A Hunger for God: Desiring God through Fasting and Prayer” John Piper (click here for a free PDF of his book) Prayer Apps Daily Prayer App Lectio 365
in Blog • Joel Limpic

February 23, 2020

We’re in week five of Matthew, introducing John the Baptist and covering the baptism of Jesus—His journey “through the waters.”

Why are we in Matthew? The Gospel According to Matthew is one of the earliest biographies of Jesus, presenting Jesus not as a mere historical figure, but as “good news” for the world that should reshape every part of life. Here’s how you can prepare for this Sunday:

1. Read our text, Matthew 3:1–17.

“Prepare the road, clear out the obstacles, the King is coming back!” This was the cry of John the Baptist. Many in Israel had turned from the heart of God. The people were busy building religious systems and social structures that were distorting God’s instructions, harming God’s people, and tarnishing God’s name in the world. John’s mission was to prepare them for the return of the King. He called them to turn back to God and to experience washing and renewal through baptism in the Jordan River. Through this baptism, John was calling the people to remember the Exodus when God brought them out of slavery, through the waters, and into the promised land.

So when Jesus comes on the scene asking to be baptized by John, He’s not trying to obey some arbitrary law. He is leading a new people into a new Kingdom through a new work of liberation. It’s like a whole new Exodus. In the baptism of Jesus, God declares “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” This declaration of Fatherly love would encompass all who follow Jesus with repentance and faith.

2. Read, pray, and sing through the service:

CALL TO WORSHIP: Isaiah 40:3–5, Greeting:

To those who feel unprepared and scattered,
to those who feel on top of the world,
to those who don’t feel spiritual enough,
and to those who can’t see a way forward—
may you hear and respond to Jesus’ kind invitation today:

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Prepare The Way ( Louie Giglio, Charlie Hall)
Great Is The Lord (Joseph Pat Barrett, Daniel Bashta, Ben Smith) / Build My Life (Barrett, Kable, Martin, Redman, Younker)

CONFESSION OF SIN: From The Worship Sourcebook:

God of mercy, whose Son, Jesus Christ, longs to gather us in the wide embrace of His love, we confess that we have been wayward children. We have disobeyed Your commands; our ears have been deaf to Your call; our hearts have been cold to Your love. In thought, in word, and in deed, we have hurt others and dishonored Your name. In Your great mercy receive us yet again as Your well-beloved children, not because we are worthy but for the sake of Him who loved us and gave Himself for us. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON: 1 Peter 3:18a

Way Maker (Osinachi Kalu Okoro Egbu)

GREETING, SERMON, RESPONSE & COMMUNION

I Am Loved (Jonathan Smith, Jason Ingram, Mack Brock) / Through and Through (Will Reagan)
Before The Throne Of God (Charitie Lees Bancroft arr. Citizens & Saints)

BENEDICTION

in Preparing for Sunday

February 16, 2020

This week is our fourth in the book of Matthew, looking at the flight to Egypt and tragedy in Bethlehem.

The Gospel According to Matthew is one of the earliest biographies of Jesus, presenting Jesus not as a mere historical figure, but as “good news” for the world that should reshape every part of life. Here’s how you can prepare for this Sunday:

1. Read our text, Matthew 2:13–23.

Any loving parent would want their children to experience some semblance of peace and stability in their early years. For Mary and Joseph and their new baby, this was not a possibility. After the drama caused by an unusual pregnancy and the inconvenience of an untimely move to Bethlehem, Joseph and Mary were confronted with terrifying news. Herod, the king over Judea, was seeking to find and destroy their newborn baby, and they would need to flee the country as refugees. Matthew tells of their flight to Egypt and of the tragedy to follow in a way that honors the darkness of the event and the devastation it caused while also pointing to the providence of God and the hope that this Child would bring to the broken world.

2. Read, pray, and sing through the service:

CALL TO WORSHIP: Psalm 46:8–11, Greeting:

To those who are busy and scattered,
To those who sense the weight of the brokenness of our world and long for the peace of God,
To all who are oppressed,
and to those who are not quite at home in this world,
May we all together accept this kind invitation from Jesus:

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Praise To The Lord The Almighty (Joachim Neander, Catherine Winkworth arr. Citizens; addl. verse Joel Limpic, JD Raab)
In Tenderness (Garvey, Gordon, Walton arr. Citizens)

CONFESSION OF SIN: From The Valley of Vision:

Thou blessed Spirit, Author of all grace and comfort,
Come, work repentance in my soul;
Represent sin to me in its odious colors that I may hate it;
Show me my ruined self and the help there is in Thee;
Teach me to behold my Creator,
His ability to save,
His arms outstretched,
His heart big for me.

May I confide in His power and love,
commit my soul to Him without reserve,
bear His image, observe His laws, pursue His service,
and be through time and eternity
a monument to the efficacy of His grace,
a trophy of His victory.

Make me willing to be saved in His way,
perceiving nothing in myself, but all in Jesus.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON: Psalm 103:8, 13

Way Maker (Osinachi Kalu Okoro Egbu)

GREETING, SERMON, RESPONSE & COMMUNION

Refugee King (Away From The Manger) (Benedict, Reagan, Ruth, Scheer, Vice)
O Praise The Name (Anástasis) (Benjamin Hastings, Marty Sampson, Dean Ussher)

BENEDICTION

in Preparing for Sunday

February 9, 2020

We’re in week three of Matthew, covering the visit of the Magi.

The Gospel According to Matthew is one of the earliest biographies of Jesus, presenting Jesus not as a mere historical figure, but as “good news” for the world that should reshape every part of life. Here’s how you can prepare for this Sunday:

1. Read our text, Matthew 2:1–12.

The story of the wise men from the East is familiar to many, but it’s possible that our understanding of the story is based more on nativity scenes and Christmas plays than on the actual story that Matthew tells. For one thing, there is no mention of the number of wise men that have come. Nor is it likely that Jesus and Mary were still in the manger in Bethlehem. In fact it’s likely that Jesus had been born for at least one month when the wise men arrived, and that Mary and Joseph had found some place to make their home in Bethlehem. Nevertheless, the story is remarkable, and its significance is profound. The wise men were likely eastern astrologers who had studied the skies and believed that the unusual things they were noticing above corresponded to something remarkable happening on earth. The foreign Magi show the appropriate response to the newborn King, while the people of Jerusalem are troubled by this potential threat to their own systems of power. The story highlights that the reign of Jesus will spread far beyond Israel and that worshippers of Jesus will not always be who you might expect.

2. Read, pray, and sing through the service:

CALL TO WORSHIP: Psalm 4:6–8, Greeting:

To those whose days feel bright and cloudless, to those who feel like darkness is their only friend, to those who walked in this morning with exceeding joy, and those who walked in with unbearable grief, may you all hear the kind voice of Jesus crying out to you today:

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Joy (Pat Barrett, Tony Brown arr. VaShawn Mitchell) / Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee (Ludwig van Beethoven, Edward Hodges, and Henry Van Dyke)
God With Us (Jason Ingram, Leslie Jordan)

CONFESSION OF SIN: From The Worship Sourcebook:

O God, our guide,
who once used a star to lead people to Christ,
we confess our poor sense of direction.
We let ourselves become confused, we are easily distracted,
and so we lose our way.
We fail to follow the signs You provide.
Forgive our waywardness, O God.
Lead us to the Christ so that we may follow His way to You. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON: John 1:9, 12

King of Kings (Jason Ingram, Brooke Ligertwood, Scott Ligertwood)

GREETING, SERMON, RESPONSE & COMMUNION

Jesus We Love You (Kalley Heiligenthal, Hannah McClure, Paul McClure)
Come Behold The Wondrous Mystery (Michael Bleecker, Matt Boswell, Matt Papa) / Venid Fieles Todos (John Francis Wade, Juan Bautista Cabrera Ivars)

BENEDICTION

in Preparing for Sunday

February 2, 2020

This will be week two of Matthew, where we’ll discuss the birth of Jesus Christ. The Gospel According to Matthew is one of the earliest biographies of Jesus, presenting Jesus not as a mere historical figure, but as “good news” for the world that should reshape every part of life.

Here’s how you can prepare for this Sunday:

1. Read our text, Matthew 1:18–24.

The word for “birth” in the first line of this section is the same word used in the opening line of the gospel, “genesis”, which means “beginning” or “origin.” The first few stories that Matthew includes in his gospel are designed to help us understand Jesus’ origin story—who He is, where He came from, and why He is particularly suited for His mission. This origin story in particular is full of miraculous events, dramatic controversy, and astonishing promises.

2. Read, pray, and sing through the service:

CALL TO WORSHIP: Matthew 1:21–23, Greeting:

To those in darkness who need a shining light,
To those in fear who need a strong hand,
To those who sin who need a rescuing Savior,
To those in anxiety who need a comforting voice,
May you hear the voice of Jesus crying out to you today:

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Before The Throne Of God (Charitie Lees Bancroft arr. The Modern Post)
Come Thou Fount (Advent) (Luke Brawner, Robert Robinson, John Wyeth)

CONFESSION OF SIN: Adapted from Every Season Prayers by Scotty Smith:

Dear heavenly Father, we rejoice in the gift of your Son, Jesus—
Immanuel, God with us and God for us.
Even as we trust in His finished work, we long for the fullness of Jesus’ kingdom.

Until that day, grant us power to grow in the love of Christ.
For we are weak, and foolishly prone to look to people,
places and things to fill us up. Grant us grace to mature in the likeness of Jesus.
For we are broken, and we cannot change our hearts, left to our own resources.
Grant us joy in living to the praise of Your glory.
For we are deceived, and we spend too much energy living for comfort and the approval of people.
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on me.
In Jesus’ loving and trustworthy name we pray. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON: Titus 3:4–6

Come Ye Sinners (Joseph Hart arr. Robbie Seay)

GREETING, SERMON, RESPONSE & COMMUNION

God With Us (Jason Ingram, Leslie Jordan)
Jesus Paid It All (Elvina Hall, Kristen Stanfill arr. James Lepine)

BENEDICTION

in Preparing for Sunday

January 26, 2020

This week we begin a three-part series in the book of Matthew, taking us through much of the next year and a half.

The Gospel According to Matthew is one of the earliest biographies of Jesus. What makes this kind of biography unique is that it isn’t presenting Jesus as a mere historical figure. Matthew’s biography is written as “good news” for the world that should reshape every part of our lives.

Here’s how you can prepare for this Sunday:

1. Read our text, Matthew 1:1–17.

Often, writers will take a little time before they get into the deep end of their subject matter. Not so for Matthew. The first line of the story (and of the New Testament!) gets right to the heart of the Gospel. It could be translated, “The book of the genesis of Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of David, the son of Abraham.” He’s saying that this story is about what God is doing to bring about the new creation, to restore the world, and it’s all happening through Jesus.

He says that Jesus is fulfilling the promises made to King David and to Abraham: that one of their descendants would establish God’s reign on earth and bring God’s presence and blessing to all nations. In other words, Jesus is the Promised One for whom Israel and all creation has been longing.

On the surface, the genealogy may feel mundane, but it’s loaded with powerful and surprising themes that will be present throughout the gospel: the brokenness of the nation of Israel, the dignity that Jesus shows to the socially marginalized, and the sovereign wisdom of God in bringing all of His promises to fulfillment through Jesus, the Son of Man and the Son of God.

2. Read, pray, and sing through the service:

CALL TO WORSHIP: Hebrews 1:1–2, Greeting:

Father, so many voices are competing for our attention
and so many loves are seeking our allegiance.
Even now, by the power of Your Spirit, quiet our restless hearts.
Help us to hear the voice of Your Son inviting us today:

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Here For You (Maher, Redman, Reeves, Wanstall)
Stand In Your Love (Baldwin, Harris, Hulse, Springer)

CONFESSION OF SIN: From Thou, Dear God… by Martin Luther King, Jr.:

O thou Eternal God, out of whose absolute power and infinite intelligence the whole universe has come into being. We humbly confess that we have not loved Thee with our hearts, souls and minds, and we have not loved our neighbors as Christ loved us. We have all too often lived by our own selfish impulses rather than by the life of sacrificial love as revealed by Christ. We often give in order to receive, we love our friends and hate our enemies, we go the first mile but dare not travel the second, we forgive but dare not forget. And so as we look within ourselves we are confronted with the appalling fact that the history of our lives is the history of an eternal revolt against Thee. But Thou, O God, have mercy upon us. Forgive us for what we could have been but failed to be. Give us the intelligence to know Thy will. Give us the courage to do Thy will. Give us the devotion to love Thy will. In the name and spirit of Jesus we pray. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON: 2 Corinthians 1:20–22

What A Beautiful Name (Ben Fielding, Brooke Ligertwood)

GREETING, SERMON, RESPONSE & COMMUNION

Way Maker (Osinachi Kalu Okoro Egbu)
Yes And Amen (Anthony Brown, Chris McClarney, Nate Moore)

BENEDICTION

in Preparing for Sunday