Lent @ Grace Anglican Church

Lent is a forty-day-long season of the Church based on the forty days that Jesus fasted in the desert. The original purpose of Lent was to prepare Catechumenates (people who are learning about the Christian faith) for baptism on Easter Sunday. Today, Lent isn’t always used for pre-baptismal preparation, but it continues to be an important season of prayer, repentance, and self-denial for many Christians.

The Season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (ashes being an Old Testament symbol of repentance and mortality) and concludes on Easter Sunday (where we celebrate the triumph of Christ over sin and death).

Some people observe Lent by abstaining from certain practices (watching TV, engaging in social media, eating certain foods, etc.) or by taking up certain devotions (prayer, fasting, solitude, etc.).

MYOB

Join us during Lent for the liturgy of Morning Prayer.

  • each Wednesday (after Ash Wednesday)
  • 8:15am
  • Holy Trinity Lutheran

This service from the Prayer Book lasts about 20-25 mins, and it gives us an opportunity to hear Scripture, praise God, and offer our prayers.

Praying in community is glorious!

CONFESSION – WHAT IS IT? Confession is the verbal unveiling of our sins to another person. James tells us, ‘confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed’ (5:16). Speaking openly about our sins with a trusted Christian is restorative. There is value in confessing directly to God, but there is also value in confessing to tangible members of the Body of Christ.

WHAT DO WE TEACH ABOUT CONFESSION? Christians interpret the practice of confession in varying ways. The Roman Church sees the confessional as the place to square with mortal sin and then requires penance from the one confessing. Anglicans don’t believe in a distinction between mortal and venial sins, nor do we assign penance. Within an Anglican perspective, confession is a helpful way to give utterance to and deal with specific sin and scruple, and be grounded again in the biblical truth of God’s undeterred grace. We think there is enormous power in getting specific about our moral deformations, especially with trusted siblings in the faith. While we are not required to confess our sins to an ordained minister (Jesus is our sole mediator, I Tim. 2:5), ministers are set apart for pastoral counsel and the declaration of pardon.

WHAT HAPPENS IN CONFESSION? We use a brief liturgy, but most of the time is spent with the confessee, who is freed up to speak openly about sin, and the minister who prays, encourages, counsels, and declares pardon.

WHO CAN COME TO CONFESSION? None must, all may, some should. Confession with Pastors is available any time, but we encourage you to consider doing so on Ash Wednesday or any other time. If you wish to confess, please contact our ministers on staff

  • Ethan: ethanasius@gmail.com
    Don: drshepson@gcc.edu
    Chad: clawrence@graceanglicanonline.com

This Lenten season we will also have children participate by collecting money that will go to those in need.

This information will be communicated and shared through Christian Education and Children’s Liturgy the Sunday following Ash Wednesday.

The Children’s Aid Society in Mercer, PA is focused on supporting children in foster care and in the adoption process. 

Unfortunately, children are taken out of their homes and placed in emergency housing until more permanent solutions become available. Because of the rush to get the child out of immediate harm they are typically arriving with only a trash bag with little to no personal belongings. 

The Children’s Aid Society aims to provide basic necessities like clothing, toiletries, and a few toys to give the child something to “own” as they transition. 

Our church has the goal to “fill” 20 bags by collecting individual items over the following weeks. Please pick up cards with designated new items and then bring them back to the church and place them in the appropriate bins.

Join us for our Lenten Dinner

  • 5:30pm
  • Friday February 27
  • Grove City Christian Academy
    (the Mill Street, high school campus)

We’ll share a meal, hear a speaker, and pray together. This is a wonderful way to live-into-Lent! We’ll offer nursery care as well as a children’s program during the presentation.

Dr. Kris Homan will be our Lenten Speaker this year.

Kris is Professor of Psychology at Grove City College, and she’s authored countless articles about the effects of religion upon one’s psychological health. Kris and Tim Homan have been members of Grace since the very beginning. Come and learn more about her own Testimony.

  • Where: Wesley Woods (wesleywoods.com)
  • Who: Anyone above 18 years old
  • What: Silence in Community: this is a quiet weekend of listening for the Lord
  • When: Friday, Mar 13 @ 7:30pm – Sunday, Mar 15 @ 2pm
  • Cost:
    • $50/person, covers meals and housing (several bunk beds in a room),
    • $75/person for a private room and bathroom (sleeps 2 in a queen bed).

Please arrive between 6-7pm so you can settle in before we begin. If you cannot stay the entire time you may leave when needed.

What to Bring/Not Bring

  • To Bring: Sleeping bag, pillow, medication, toiletries, Bible, journal, devotional reading (if you want), warm clothes, outdoor gear for a walk, etc.
  • Don’t Bring: Work, phones (leave at home/in car)
  • Optional: Spiritual Direction for listening, conversation, and prayer on Saturday.

To reserve your spot, submit your $50 through the Planning Center Application

If you are not attending the retreat, please pray for those who are. Invite your friends and family to pray for you over the weekend: asking the Lord to speak to your heart in the silence of the weekend.

During the retreat, Dr. Shepson (the retreat leader) can be reached via cell phone anytime.  Those who need to contact someone on the retreat can call
his cell phone number (which will be given to those who sign up for the retreat).

Link for silent retreat: graceanglicanonline.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3445590

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