Join us this Sunday, March 23rd, when we’ll start discussing community expectations in the light of Acts 2:42 and following, both the healthy and the unrealistic, inside and outside the church. Think of it as a guide to how we're meant to relate to one another and the world around us—a really important conversation in our divided times as we try to reconnect. The teaching will be followed with Holy Communion.
  Plus, enjoy coffee and a pastry!
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RESTORATION OFFERS DAILY SUGGESTIONS TO HELP YOU PREPARE  YOUR HEART FOR EASTER.
 
 
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WHAT IS LENT?

The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are at the heart of the Christian gospel, and Good Friday and Easter are two of the most significant celebrations of the Christian year. Lent is a 40-day season of preparation and repentance during which we anticipate Good Friday and Easter. Just as we carefully prepare for big events in our personal lives, such as a wedding or commencement, Lent is a special time of prayer, repentance, and sacrifice that invites us to remember Jesus' passion and celebrate Jesus' resurrection. People often observe it in specific acts of personal prayer, worship, fasting or repentance.

WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF LENT?

Since the earliest times of the Church, there is evidence of some kind of Lenten preparation for Easter. Lent became more regularized after the legalization of Christianity in A.D. 313. The practice of a forty-day preparation period began in the Christian church during the third and fourth centuries. The number forty carries biblical significance, including the forty years Israel spent in the wilderness and Jesus' forty-day fast in the wilderness. The word Lent itself is derived from the Anglo-Saxon words lencten, meaning "Spring," and lenctentid, which means not only "Springtide" but also was the word for "March," the month in which the majority of Lent falls.

WHY IS RCPO PARTICIPATING IN LENT?

We desire to connect people to the deep traditions of our faith and to bring light and meaning to their practice. Since Restoration began in 2010, we have participated in Advent as a church family — a month-long event to prepare our hearts for the celebration of Christ’s birth at Christmas. Believing the resurrection of Jesus and its celebration at Easter to be just as central to our faith, we desire to expand on its celebration at Restoration as well. Lent is not just a Catholic tradition — many Protestant congregations also observe Lent. Lent is also not a requirement for the Christian life — it is simply a chance to call our hearts to reflection and action. It is setting aside days in our calendar to be intentionally grateful for the cross of Christ and to desire that others would be drawn to the sacrifice and victory over sin that happened there.

FORTY DAYS OF LENT

The forty days of Lent begin on Ash Wednesday (March 5th this year) and continue through Holy Week and Easter, not counting Sundays, which are reserved for celebratory worship. At Restoration, we are focusing our period of Lent on both our own repentance from sin and on leading others to the same freedom and life in Christ. Beginning on Ash Wednesday, Restoration offers these daily suggestions to help you prepare your heart for Easter.

PREPARE YOUR HEART FOR EASTER AT RCPO

March 5

 

Ash Wednesday; read Isaiah 40:3-8 and contemplate a world longing for the coming of their Savior.

March 6

 

Build a Lenten play list that you listen to often during these 40 days. Use worship songs you love.

March 7

Place a cross somewhere where you will see it regularly during Lent.

March 8

 

Spend a day with no screens — computer, phone or TV. Pray for someone every time you wish you could turn it on.

March 9

 

Reflect intently on Christ’s death on your behalf and His forgiveness of all your sins

March 10

 

Identify a family member, friend, neighbor or co-worker you can invite to Easter service with you. Pray for the opportunity to ask them.

March 11

Slowly pray through the sections of the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13). Write down ways that each part of the prayer could change your life.

March 12

 

Don’t spend money on food or drink for yourself today. Look for someone in need to offer what you would have spent on yourself or donate what you would have spent to an organization that feeds the hungry.

March 13

 

Handwrite a note to someone, encouraging them.

March 14

 

Confess what’s on your heart and any sin to your spouse or close friend. Read 1 John 1 together.

March 15

 

Wake up earlier than needed. Use the time to be quiet and to pray Psalm 40.

March 16

Show up 15 minutes early to church to sit quietly in the school and to pray for the service.

March 17

Be conscious of anyone you are angry with or have not forgiven. Meditate on the cross of Jesus and practice forgiving them.

March 18

Spend at least 20 minutes outside, enjoying and thanking God for the beauty of His creation.

March 19

Walk around your block. Pray for the people in each house.

March 20

Bless someone today with a secret act of kindness or generosity.

March 21

Read Psalm 25 or use a Bible app to listen to it read aloud.

March 22

Set an extra place at your dinner table as a reminder to pray God would fill up the emptiness of those in need.

March 23

Strengthen the family of God: meet someone new today at church. Commit to tithe and serve somewhere.

March 24

Fast for the day (or at least a meal if you can do so safely) and ask God to nourish you with His words, presence and will.

March 25

Pray for the peace of Christ to reign in the world.

March 26

Wear simple clothes and no jewelry today as a symbol of mourning the death and brokenness of our lives and the world.

March 27

Fill a trash bag with clothes or items you no longer use and donate them to others who can use them.

March 28

Pray prayers of blessing over your family and friends.

March 29

Memorize Romans 8:1-2.

March 30

Thank a volunteer at church today — someone teaching your kids, greeting your family, setting up or tearing down equipment, serving to lead and facilitate worship.

March 31

Make a conscious choice to put yourself last today — give up your seat, go to the back of line, park in the farthest spot.

April 1

Read Luke 15 slowly and ask God how you should respond. Pray for those who are lost.

April 2

Do something kind for a co-worker or peer with whom you don’t always see eye to eye.

April 3

Invite friends into your home and practice hospitality. (if it is safe)

April 4

Pray for an extended time — at least 30 minutes.

April 5

Haven’t asked that person from March 10th to Easter Service with you yet? Do it today!

April 6

Share something you learned in the sermon today via email, Facebook, X (Twitter) or Instagram to encourage your friends. Tag Restoration Church Port Orange so we can see it.

April 7

Ask God to reveal the sins you commit that aren’t the ones you immediately think of. He’s covered those, too.

April 8

Offer to buy Easter basket goodies for a family that is struggling financially.

April 9

Write down sins that are struggles for you. Ask for forgiveness and burn the paper.

April 10

Go to a trustworthy news source on the web and pray through the articles for the peace of the world.

April 11

Give someone an undeserved gift.

April 12

Turn off the internet for the day.

April 13

Worship with the RCPO family on Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week.

April 14

Replace your complaints today with gratitude.

April 15

Read Psalm 139.

April 16

Spend 15 minutes in silence today.

April 17

Pray about which one of these Lenten practices you’d like to keep in your life for good.

April 18

Good Friday. Read John 19 and reflect on the day Jesus went to the cross for the sins of the world.

April 19

Anticipate Easter Sunday. Imagine what it would be like to believe Christ is dead and all hope is lost, as the disciples did on this day.

EASTER

He is Risen indeed! Join your Restoration family to celebrate His love and victory together.