Lent is a threshold—a moment to pause at the doorway of something new, feeling the pull to step forward. It is a season of return, a time to listen for the voice of Jesus calling us back to what matters most. For centuries, the church has marked these forty days with fasting, prayer and repentance—not out of obligation but as a way of preparing for the life-changing reality of Easter.
From the earliest days of Christianity, Lent has been a time of invitation. In the second and third centuries, those seeking baptism spent these weeks in deep formation, learning what it meant to follow Jesus before emerging from the water on Easter morning as new creations. The early church kept vigil through the night, waiting in prayer, listening to scripture and watching for the first light of dawn—the sign that resurrection had come.
This year, our Lenten theme at Yates is “The Invitation.” It is a recognition that God is always calling us toward transformation through extravagant grace and sacrificial love. From Ash Wednesday on March 5 to Easter Sunday on April 20, we will hear how God invites us to return, trust, feast, be forgiven, press forward, serve, surrender and embrace new life.
Jesus never forces—he invites. “Come and see.” “Follow me.” “Take and eat.” “Receive the Spirit.” “Do this in remembrance of me.” His call is personal, full of grace and always asks something of us.
Lent is not just about our own hearts. It’s about opening the door for others—our church family, our neighbors, our friends, even those who may not yet know they are invited. I am praying that this Lent will be a season of renewal—not only for individuals but for our entire community.
Will you respond to the invitation? Join in prayer, invite a friend to worship, write an invitation card to a neighbor, bring someone new on Bring a Friend Sunday (March 23), share your faith story, use social media, be part of the visuals, contribute to the invitation book, or participate in Holy Week worship. Easter is something we prepare for together. The door is open. The season is set apart. The invitation is waiting.
Grace & Peace,