Living Open Handedly

The Journey of Lent at New Bridge

What is Lent?

In its broadest sense, Lent is a part of the Church’s liturgical calendar used to help followers of Jesus prepare to celebrate more deeply and meaningfully the realities of Christ’s death and resurrection, as observed at Easter.

Lent traditionally begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts 40 days (approximately six weeks) until the day before Easter, in some cases ending on Easter Sunday. In Lent, many Christians commit to fasting from food, luxuries, activities, media, etc. in order to grow in one’s dependence on Jesus rather than on those things that we often turn to in our daily lives to provide meaning, identity, entertainment, or comfort.

How can I participate?

A booklet titled "Living Handedly" with a desert landscape and mountains on the cover, labeled as a 40-day Lent guide. The cover features a sunset or sunrise scene with sand dunes and rocks.

As your pastor, I can say that there is no more significant celebration than that of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jesus fundamentally changed all of history and our personal lives by paying for our sins on the cross and rising victorious over sin, death, and shame in His resurrection.

We believe that Easter gives us a unique opportunity to focus on and celebrate this reality, a reality that can shape every aspect of our daily lives.

I am excited that you have chosen to engage in this season of intentionally preparing our hearts and growing closer to Jesus.

I’m praying for you and for us as a church community. May we grow in greater dependence and freedom as the power of Jesus’ death

Participate with us

Download it Here
Other Ways to Participate

Willing to share?

We are excited to hear about how God works in you through this season of Lent. Please share with us what you’ve given up for Lent, how you came to that decision, what God is teaching you, and how you are growing through this season.

We’ll be praying for you. Feel free to reach out with specific prayer requests.

Share Your Lent Story

How Can I Participate?

  • Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. It is a day that welcomes reflection on the sin in our lives as we enter into the season of Lent, pursuing a life lived with greater dependence on Jesus. This year, we will open our church auditorium from 7 AM to 7 PM for individual times of prayer and reflection, preparing our hearts for what God desires to do as we seek Him

  • Commit to attending our Sunday gatherings each week. Our sermon series, Living Openhandedly, will invite us to live more surrendered to Jesus and experience the wholeness found in Him by releasing unhealthy beliefs, patterns, and relationships.

  • The next few pages will lead you through an explanation of why we engage in Lent and how to choose what to fast from.

  • This booklet is intended to supplement the sermons and give you five days per week of basic readings, questions to reflect on, and prayer prompts all aimed at helping you personally draw closer to Jesus.

  • The week leading up to Easter, we’ll provide time and space for us to meet with God through prayer and worship. Monday-Wednesday nights (March 30-April 1, 6:30 PM), we will gather for an hour of worship and prayer. Childcare is provided on Monday and Wednesday evenings. This will be a unique time of creating the time and space that we often struggle to find in our busy lives. We’ll finish this week off with an experiential Passover Dinner on Thursday at 6:30 PM and a reflective Good Friday service on April 3, at 5 and 6:30 PM.

  • Thursday, April 2 at 6:30 PM, join us for the unique experience of a Passover meal which engages the full body, mind, and soul through walking through the Biblical verses and Rabbinic background to the Passover event while tasting the foods God gave intending to connect us to the emotions of this historic event. Registration through the church website or app is required for this event so that we can prepare seating and food for each person.

  • Join us Friday, April 3, at 5 and 6:30 PM for the most unique service of the year, a silent service that will draw you into deep reflection around the significance of Jesus’ death, memo

  • We anticipate a powerful time of celebration on Sunday, April 5 at 8, 9:30, and 11 AM. Can you imagine, after six weeks of intentionally pursuing Jesus and allowing Him to pursue you, how exciting it will be to celebrate His resurrection?