Good morning,

Thank you for signing up to be a part of this Lenten journey! You will receive a weekly email as a resource while travelling the next 40 days. 

What is Lent?

The season of Lent is the 40 days leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus and a time to prepare our hearts for the celebration of his resurrection three days later. This season has been observed by Christians all over the world for over 1,000 years. 

The purpose of participating and engaging in this time of preparation is to come closer to Jesus. It is a season of focus – focusing our attention and being intentional about the work of God in our lives.

Lent is a time we can strip away anything extra or false in our lives, allowing what is true to become clearer. We get in touch with our desperate need for Him -recognizing our mortality and our brokenness. The more we can grab on to this truth, the more fully He can piece us back together.

Uncommon Kingdom

For Lent this year we will continue in our Uncommon Kingdom series. We have been studying the Sermon on the Mount - which is an invitation into an entirely new way of life. The 40 days of Lent are an opportunity to view these teachings of Jesus, seeing his vision for the kingdom and being empowered to be formed more into his image. 

The weekly email will include something to read, some questions to be curious about, a couple things to practice, and a prayer. You could do part each day or all at once. 

You will also find a sermon reflection guide, a curated Lent playlist and a collection of images for visio divina. Other practices of Lent are fasting, giving, repentance and prayer. We pray this journey is a meaningful one!

Week 1 Loving Our Enemies

• Read ~ Matthew 5 & Joel 2:12-13
• Reflect ~ What reordering of desires can I consider over the next 40 days? Where do I feel mistreatment? Who in my life do I count as an enemy? Where do I desire revenge?
• Practice ~ Affirm the dignity of everyone you come in contact with, even if they treat you poorly. Pray good for an enemy - think of a way to show them love. 
• Prayer ~ Lord, over the next 40 days, awaken me to the reality and shape of my needs and desires, and enable me to reorder them in relation to my greatest need and best desire: You.  Father, may I not seek to get even, but to make right. Let me love where others hate and heal where others harm. 

3/9 Sermon reflection & discussion guide 

Lent 2025 Playlist

Lent 2025 Visio Divina prompts

Both playlist and prompts will be added to each week, so keep checking back! Please reach out if you have questions about Lent, this series or would like to share about your own Lenten journey!

Caitlin