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What is Lent?
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 Lent is the forty-day period from Ash Wednesday to Easter. The word Lent comes from the Anglo-Saxon lencten, to lengthen, which has to do with the lengthening of the days in springtime. The forty-day length may confuse people who pull out their calendars and actually count the days, because Sunday, being the Day of Resurrection, is never a fast day. Thus the forty days of Lent do not count the Sundays, and there are actually forty-six days from Ash Wednesday to Easter!
The forty days of Lent are a major time of preparation for Christians. Originally, it was a time to prepare candidates for baptism which occurred on Easter Sunday. Now, Lent has become a period of penitence for those who have been baptized. Some may come from traditions that emphasize “giving up something for Lent” as a way of recognizing Jesus’ lordship over all areas of life. Here we focus on providing opportunities to engage in prayer and study that enable us to focus more fully on Jesus Christ and what it means to live as His disciple. Choosing to follow the way of Christ is a decision to choose “the road less traveled.” Lent provides an opportunity to reflect on where one is on the journey and in continuing to develop the marks of discipleship.
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The color of the Lenten season is purple, the color of royalty—and also the color of the robe put on Jesus when he was mocked and beaten. Purple has become the color of sacrifice and penitence
Easter Sunday Services
8:30 am Traditional
9:45 am Traditional
11:15 am Contemporary
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 Children's Easter Egg Hunt & Celebration
March 27, 10 am
Children can fill their baskets at the annual Easter Egg Hunt, which will include a story, craft, snack, and of course, the hunt! Please bring a dozen plastic candy filled eggs to the church office before Saturday, March 27.
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 Palm/Passion Sunday
March 28
Palm Sunday seems to be a joyful celebration of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, but there is clearly a recognition in our celebration that adulation turned to betrayal, and Jesus had come to Jerusalem to suffer and die for our sins.
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 Holy Week Services & Lunch
March 29-April 2, Noon
Holy Week is the week between Palm Sunday and Resurrection Sunday. It is an opportunity to reflect on Jesus’ final activities and teaching with his disciples. For several years, GBPC has hosted ecumenical services, inviting community ministers to lead worship followed by a lunch of soup and sandwiches in our fellowship hall.
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 Maundy Thursday Service
April 1, 7:30 pm
Maundy Thursday derives its name from John 13:34, where Jesus washed the feet of the disciples and said, “I give you a new commandment…”—in Latin, Mandatum novum. Communion is a central part of this service as we remember the “Last Supper” Jesus shared with his disciples and the institution of the sacrament. Often the service is held in candlelight; many churches hold a Service of Tenebrae (Shadows) on this night or on Good Friday, during which candles are gradually extinguished at the end of the service, representing the darkness that came over the disciples at the trial, crucifixion and death of Jesus.
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 Good Friday
April 2
Good Friday helps us to recall the crucifixion and death of Christ through the narration of the events of the day. Good Friday comes from the middle English from “God’s Friday.”
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 Easter Sunday
April 4, 8:30 am Traditional, 9:45 am Traditional, 11:15 am Contemporary
Easter or Resurrection Sunday is the most important Christian celebration of the year. Traditionally the service begins with the Easter acclamation, “The Lord is risen,” and with the reply, “He is risen indeed!” Lilies trumpeting the good news of the resurrection fill the sanctuary.
There will be no Sunday School this day, but there will be childcare for infants through 3 years-old and children’s church for 4-8 years-old.
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