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 Lent
(February 6–March 22) is not about being sad, feeling guilty,
or giving up something. Faith isn’t another item to accomplish
on our to-do list, or something to feel guilty about because we
aren’t doing it well enough. We come together during Lent
to recognize the blessings we’ve received, then to grow and
develop in our faith as a response.
The season of Lent has traditionally been 40 days
to reflect upon our baptismal vows and to renew our promises to
God. We follow disciplines and practices so that the Holy Spirit
can transform our lives and pilgrimages as we promise to live in
freedom and love.
Transformation is the promise at the heart of both
Lent and the life of faith. Vienna Baptist Church is undertaking
a churchwide 40-day study that can help us all grow closer to God
and to others on our pilgrimage of faith.
You’re invited to take 40 days and …
Daily
devotions
February 3–March 16
A daily devotional book, Treasures of the Transformed
Life: Satisfying Your Soul’s Thirst for More, by John Ed
Mathison (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2006) forms the basis
for our Lenten study. Individuals, couples, and families are encouraged
to use this book for daily devotional time, reading one short
chapter each day. Discussions in small groups throughout VBC will
build on these devotional readings.
Books are available in the church foyer beginning
February 3. If you’re unable to pick one up, call the church
office at 703-281-4400 and request a copy.
Sunday morning
Bible study for youth and adults
9:30–10:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall
Each Sunday morning from February 3 through March
16, youth and adults are invited to gather in the Fellowship Hall
for a brief DVD presentation based on the Transformed Living study.
At 10:00 a.m., all will return to their regular Bible study classrooms
for small group discussions of the topic presented that day.
Other small group sessions
Small group discussion sessions of the Transformed
Living material are scheduled at other times of the week in homes
throughout the area for those who can’t attend on Sunday
mornings or Wednesday evenings. If you wish to join one of these
small groups, call the church office at 703-281-4400 to learn
where one will meet in your area.
Transformed
Living blog
For those who can’t participate in one of
the small study groups, you can follow along online. At least
once a week, go to the blog, read that week’s questions,
and respond in the comments section.
Day of
Prayer and Ash Wednesday service
Wednesday, February 6
The Worship Room will be open for individual prayer
from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on February 6. Two special services
will be held in the Worship Room on that day.
At noon, a short prayer service will take place
(order of service is here
for those unable to attend).
In the evening, a short Ash Wednesday service will
be held from 6:45–7:30 p.m. During this reflective service
of worship, participants come forward to receive a mark on the
forehead in the sign of the cross, using ashes obtained from burning
last year’s palm branches.
Sunday worship
Worship services and sermons will continue the weekly
Transformed Living themes during the seven Sundays from February
3 through March 16.
Wednesday evenings
February 13–March 12
6:30–7:30 p.m.
After the Wednesday night supper, there will be discussions on
the dimensions of prayer. On February 13, the discussion will
be led by Dr. Israel Galindo, professor of Christian education
at the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond.
7:30–8:30 p.m.
For those unable to attend the Sunday morning discussion Transformed
Living sessions, there will be a small group session each Wednesday
evening.
Commitment Sunday
Resurrection Day, March 23
On Easter Sunday, our churchwide Transformed Living
emphasis will culminate as we covenant together to be open to
the Holy Spirit transforming our lives. During the worship service,
we’ll present commitment cards signifying our intentions
for prayer, presence, gifts, and service.
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