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LENT: 40 DAYS OF PREPARATION FOR THE CROSS

FEBRUARY 18 - APRIL 2, 2026

WHAT IS LENT?

Throughout the Bible, God calls his people to intentional rhythms of remembrance, celebration, and lament. In the Old Testament, practices like Passover used physical actions—food, prayer, and storytelling—to help God’s people remember his goodness, grace, and saving power with their whole selves.

Lent stands in this same ancient tradition of embodied remembrance. It is the 40-day season before Easter when we walk with Jesus toward the cross, echoing his own 40-day fast at the beginning of his ministry. During these days we deny ourselves something physical. Why?

Paul David Tripp, in his book, Journey to the Cross, says it this way:

Lent is about remembering the suffering and sacrifice of the Savior. Lent is about confessing our ongoing battle with sin. Lent is about fasting, and not just from food; we willingly and joyfully let go of things in this world that have too much of a hold on us. And Lent is about giving ourselves in a more focused way to prayer, crying out for the help that we desperately need from the only one who is able to give it.

In short, we give up something physical because we need something spiritual. We need to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did—denying ourselves, depending on the Father, and giving ourselves for the sake of others.
As a church, we are engaging in Lent as an opportunity for God to reframe our situations as we look deeply into the true story of our Saviour.

AS A CHURCH WE ARE DOING THIS IN TWO WAYS:

GIVING UP SOMETHING SO WE CAN GIVE GENEROUSLY

On Sunday, March 30, we will be taking up an offering to bless people in need in our church and the city. Part of the offering will go toward benevolence needs in our church (meeting practical needs) and the rest to provide for homeless families in Tacoma Public School through their McKinney-Vento program. One option for fasting during Lent is to give up something that you might normally spend money on, like your morning Starbucks or a Netflix subscription. Tally up what you would normally spend and give it instead. Feel free to get creative with this, and let it be a source of joy!
GIVE NOW

BIBLE READING PLAN + OPTIONAL DEVOTIONAL

BIBLE READING PLAN: We are excited to offer a Bible reading plan for the 40 days of Lent that will walk you through the gospels and other passages. This will allow us to walk with Jesus through his life, death, burial, and resurrection.
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DEVOTIONAL: We also want to point you to a great Lent devotional, which was quoted above. Paul David Tripp's Journey to the Cross - A 40-day Lent Devotional will be a great companion for you. Find a copy at most book-sellers or ebook platforms (click here to buy on Amazon).

BIBLE READING PLAN

Join us for a daily Bible reading journey in the Psalms and Gospels. Each reading is short, usually around 30 verses or less. Consider reading each passage three times, using the following as a guide:

1st Reading: Listen to the Holy Spirit minister God’s Word to you. What one word or phrase especially touches your heart?

2nd Reading: Enter the passage. What emotions do you have? What personal struggle or longing in your life today is God speaking into? (Be specific).

3rd Reading: Receive what Christ has for you today. What is your personal invitation from the Lord? What do you sense God might be saying to you?

Day 1) 2/18: Psalm 51
Day 2) 2/19: Matthew 4:1-11
Day 3) 2/20: Psalm 32
Day 4) 2/21: Luke 5:27-32
Day 5) 2/22: Psalm 25
REST: Sunday, 2/23
Day 6) 2/24: Mark 1:14-20
Day 7) 2/25: Psalm 27
Day 8) 2/26: John 1:35-51
Day 9) 2/27: Psalm 63
Day 10) 2/28: Mark 2:1-12
Day 11) 3/1: Psalm 103:1-18
REST: Sunday, 3/2
Day 12) 3/3: Luke 7:36-50
Day 13) 3/4: Psalm 1
Day 14) 3/5: Matthew 5:1-16
Day 15) 3/6: Psalm 15
Day 16) 3/7: Luke 10:25-37
Day 17) 3/8: Psalm 37:1-17
REST: Sunday, 3/9
Day 18) 3/10: Mark 4:1-20
Day 19) 3/11: Psalm 42
Day 20) 3/12: John 4:4-26
Day 21) 3/13: Psalm 73:23-28
Day 22) 3/14: Mark 8:34-38
Day 23) 3/15: Psalm 46
REST: Sunday, 3/16
Day 24) 3/17: Luke 18:9-14
Day 25) 3/18: Psalm 22:1-18
Day 26) 3/19: Matthew 20:17-28
Day 27) 3/20: Psalm 31:1-16
Day 28) 3/21: Isaiah 53
Day 29) 3/22: Psalm 69:1-18
REST: Sunday, 3/23
Day 30) 3/24: Mark 10:46-52
Day 31) 3/25: Psalm 118:19-29
Day 32) 3/26: Luke 22:39-46
Day 33) 3/27: Psalm 88
Day 34) 3/28: John 13:1-17
Day 35) 3/29: John 19:16-30
REST: Sunday, 3/30 (Giving Sunday)
Day 36) 3/31: Psalm 130
Day 37) 4/1: John 20:1-18
Day 38) 4/2: Psalm 16
Day 39) 4/3: John 21:1-14
Day 40) 4/4: Psalm 46:1-7
Easter Sunday, 4/5