Who is God?

Fellowship Structure
CATECHISM BIBLE STUDY

FAITH SHARING

LENT
Lent is a penitential season, a time of Purification and Conversion filled with Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving as we await the great day of Easter. The term Lent comes from Lente, an old-English term for spring, while Cuaresma derived from the Latin word Quadragesima which means 40 days. Lent is our preparation for Easter, the time when we celebrate the triumph of Christ over death and sin, the fulfillment of our redemption from sin.

Observance of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, when we remember our humble beginnings and repent to our sins through the imposition of ashes on our foreheads. Lent continues until the celebration of Paschal Triduum.

LENT
The church 3 interconnected ways to observe this season effectively: 1.Prayer Through prayer, we strengthen our relationship to God who speaks to us and desires to draw us to Himself. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. -Mt 6:6 2.Fasting Through fasting, we rid selfishness and self-centeredness by relying solely on God. When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.- Mt 6:16-18 3.Almsgiving Through Almsgiving we are reminded that sharing should be the mark of our daily life as Christians.

When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites* do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.-Mt 6:2

LENT
Why color Purple is used?
The stole of the priests, the linens of the altar and other church decoration often attached with color Purple. Whats with the color? Is the church setting a trend? Yes! The church is setting at trend, the trend of repentance and penitence, of purification and preparation. The color purple symbolizes penitence and royaltyour penitence for our sins and the royalty of the suffering king who came for the salvation of His people.

LENT
Why 40 Days?
We observed Lent in 40 days to commemorate many significant event of faith that also spanned 40 days or 40 years. The great flood during the time of Noah. (Gn 7:12) After the event: The new creation began. The stay of Moses to the Mt. Sinai (Ex 34:28) After the event: The covenant is renewed. The wondering of the Israelites before reaching the promise land. (Ex 16:35) After the event: They finally entered the Promise Land. The 40-day travel of Elijah at Mt. Horeb to save his life from Queen Jezebel. (1 Kg 19:18) After the event: God strengthen him to resume his prophetic ministry.

LENT
The fasting of Christ in the wilderness. (Lk 4:1-2) After the event: Jesus began His ministry. Jesus stayed with His disciples after resurrection. (Acts 1:3) After the event: After Christs ascension. We enter the age of the spirit-filled Church. Biblical numbers are symbolic. 40 denotes a period of preparation for Gods special actions, a time of grace. Wilderness is a dry place with no vegetation, no life. But the scriptures, wilderness symbolizes discipline, a place used by God to purify His people and teach them His ways.