Lenten Resources Available

The Calvin  Institute of Christian Worship is offering a guide to Lenten worship-planning resources as well as materials churches can use in putting together Holy Week services and Easter celebrations.

Compiled from  the institute’s website and its ministry partners, the guide features books, prayers, songs and sample services to use during this season of the church year.

Also available are columns and articles that reflect on the meaning of Lent, which began on Feb. 10, and on the significance of Holy Week, especially as it leads up to Easter, which is Sunday, March 27.

Referring the Lenten season, the Worship Sourcebook Second Edition says:

“Lent invites us to make our hearts ready for remembering Jesus’ passion and celebrating Jesus’ resurrection. . . As a period of preparation, Lent has historically included the instruction of persons for baptism and profession of faith on Easter Sunday; the calling back of those who have become estranged from the church; and efforts by all Christians to deepen their piety, devotion, and readiness to mark the death and resurrection of their Savior.

“As such, the primary focus of the season is to explore and deepen a ‘baptismal spirituality’ that centers on our union with Christ rather than to function only as an extended meditation on Christ’s suffering and death. The traditional color for the season is purple.”