WHAT IS LENT?
Lent is the six-week season before Easter that guides us toward fully celebrating Easter. Centuries of Christ followers have realized that an Easter celebration is only as good as our understanding of why we need Easter. Lent serves to help us recapture and remember the saving work of Jesus through activities such as fasting, praying, worshiping, serving, and more.

WHEN IS LENT?
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (March 2nd) and ends on Maundy (Thursday, April 14th).

WHAT ARE WE DOING FOR LENT?
> Defeat the Darkness [ worship ] – Similar to (but different from) Advent, we will start with lit candles and un-light candles as the season continues. That helps us follow the battle that rages during Lent: Will the light (Jesus) or the darkness (sin) win? The book of John responds: “The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it” (1:5). Re-living this light/dark tension each Sunday can remind us of our need for Jesus.
> Pray for Suffering   [ connect ] – Anyone who follows Jesus will inevitably suffer, but some suffering is simply wrong. The organization Voice of the Martyrs highlights specific places where people endure intense suffering so that we can pray for it to end. Join in praying each Sunday to end suffering in a new location around the world. You can subscribe to weekly emails with more details and ways to send prayers across the world at www.icommittopray.com.
> Knock Their Socks Off  [ serve ] – Imagine the smile on the faces of children and youth in our community when they receive new socks! This is our simple way of spreading the joy and love of Jesus in partnership with our friends at Visalia Emergency Aid Council and Love INC. We’re collecting packages or pairs of new socks for babies, children, and youth (ages 0-18) any Sunday through April 3^rd.