First Presbyterian Church of Elmhurst PA

02/25/2024

The second Sunday in Lent is also known as Reminiscere, which, in Latin, means: “Remember (O Lord)”. This is the opening phrase of the Introit — “Remember,
O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy loving kindnesses; for they have been ever
of old” (Psalm 25:6 kjv).

The Introit (pronounced in-TRO-it) comes from the Latin word introitus which means “entrance.” The Introit used to be sung as the Pastors came into the church and approached the altar.

02/24/2024

The Holy Days of Lent

The entire Lenten Season is important and significant, but certain days are more symbolic than others. Those days include:

Ash Wednesday

Palm Sunday

Holy Thursday

Good Friday

Holy Saturday

Easter

02/23/2024

What is Lent?

So, we know that Lent is a 40-day period that typically begins in February or March (depending on the liturgical year). We’ve already touched on the fact that Lent holds a plethora of importance for followers of Christ. However, what exactly does Lent mean, and why is it so important to the various Christian denominations? 

Well, to start with, the Lenten season is an incredibly historical and symbolic time for Christians. The religious season dates back to Jesus Christ’s life on earth. He lives forever in the hearts of his followers, but the Lenten season is a direct reflection of the days that eventually led up to his crucifixion. 

02/22/2024

How Long Does Lent Last?

The Lenten season is six weeks long in the Christian liturgical year. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, which falls on a different day each year, but looking at the calendar, Ash Wednesday will always fall on the seventh week before Easter.

Working backward, the day Easter falls each year is related to something known as the paschal full moon. This refers to the ecclesiastical full moon that takes place any day after March twenty-first, the Spring Equinox, a process that can start to sound very confusing. Just know that the date of Easter each year is determined by referencing the lunar calendar.

The cyclical movements of the moon dictate the exact date, but essentially, Easter is always on the Sunday that follows the full moon of Passover. 

02/21/2024

WHAT ALMSGIVING REALLY MEANS
Giving alms has always been an important part of Lent. For many people, it means giving money to charities or some other good cause. But the concept of almsgiving goes much deeper. It is our response to the teachings of Jesus that encourage us to reach out to people in need—not just with our money—but with our time and our talents. Today we might call it ‘stewardship’.
Lent gives us the opportunity to cultivate a spirit of generosity. It gives us a chance to share what we have and who we are with other people. It puts us in communion with others and helps us understand that we are all members of the Body of Christ. Think carefully about how you will share your time, your talents and your treasure during Lent.

02/20/2024

Do you have to fast for Lent?
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence.
However, In today’s Christian community, there are many iterations of fasting that hold a deeper meaning than abstaining from meat may have. Many people vow to fast from negative thoughts, gossiping, social media, binging shows on streaming sites, alcohol, and much more. New traditions also include adding things to your life for this six-week season, such as setting aside time to meditate and pray each day, visiting shut-ins, and doing service.

02/19/2024

The Three Pillars of Lent
The three pillars of Lent are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. They serve as a reminder of the importance of spiritual growth and reflection. Through these practices, individuals can deepen their faith, strengthen their relationship with God, and live a more meaningful and purposeful life.
Prayer is an essential aspect of the Lenten season. During this time, individuals are encouraged to reflect on their relationship with God and to seek a deeper spiritual connection.
Fasting is another important aspect of Lent. It involves giving up certain luxuries or desires for a period of time in order to focus on spiritual needs. This can take many forms, such as giving up food for a day, abstaining from certain foods for a period of time, or giving up other things like television or social media. The purpose of fasting is to help individuals draw closer to God by acknowledging their dependence on God and breaking away from worldly distractions.
Almsgiving is the third pillar of Lent and involves helping those in need. This can involve donating to charities, volunteering time at a local soup kitchen, or helping a neighbor in need. Almsgiving is an expression of compassion and love. It is an integral part of the entire season, as it helps individuals to focus on their obligations
to others and to live a life of selflessness and service.

02/19/2024

Worship Service is on our YouTube channel!
Don't miss a wonderful message and communion by CP Wes Mullen

Our worship was lead by CP Wes Mullen. He had a fantastic message on Romans 8:31-38 "His Will Carry the Weight of Your Soul". Listen in as we had a blessed w...

02/18/2024

1st Sunday of Lent is known as Invocabit. Also known as Quadragesima Sunday, it is the first Sunday in Lent, occurring after Ash Wednesday. The term Quadragesima is derived from the Latin word for "fortieth", as there are exactly forty days from Quadragesima Sunday until Good Friday.

02/17/2024

Why do we celebrate Lent?
Lent is 40 days long as a reminder of Christ's 40 days in the wilderness, and His defeat of temptation. Here we are reminded that Jesus was also tempted and that He stood firm against Satan's temptations. Lent is a time of preparation and an opportunity to go deeper with God and it’s a time for personal reflection that prepares people’s hearts and minds for Good Friday and Easter.

02/16/2024

The History of Lent
Early Christians started to observe Lent, as the society of the time believed that it was important to honor the crucial day of Easter through special spiritual preparation. The earliest dated mention of a 40-day period of observing Lent can be found in the Canons of Nicaea, dated around 325 B.C.
However, many religious scholars believe that the custom of Lent was modeled after the Christian tradition of requiring baptism candidates to fast for 40 days before their day of baptism, which was usually on the day of Easter. Over time, the custom of fasting for 40 days prior to a significant spiritual activity spread to other domains of Christianity, and it became the norm to fast for 40 days before Easter.

02/15/2024

Day 2 of LENT
Lent comes from the Middle English word lente, meaning “springtime,” which is itself descended from the Old English lencten.
Going back farther to the begining of Christianity and the Greek language, the term (Tessarakostí), meaning "fortieth" was used for this season.