Lent 2025: 40 Days of Renouncing & Reclaiming
Lent Gatherings
Ash Wednesday
Gather with us on Ash Wednesday, which begins the Lenten season. We will be reflecting on our mortality, humanity, and lack, as well as the inevitability of death and our need for a Savior. Bridgetown Kids available for ages 0 - 5th grade at 5:30 PM.
Date: Wed, Mar 5
Times: 5:30 & 7 PM
Location: Bridgetown Church (2120 NE Tillamook St., Portland, OR)
Good Friday Gathering
Good Friday is the day we remember the crucifixion of Jesus, and we reflect on Jesus bearing the weight of our sin through suffering and perfect love. Gather with us as we worship and reflect on the cross. Bridgetown Kids available for ages 0 - 5th Grade at 5:30 PM.
Date: Fri, April 18
Times: 5:30 & 7 PM
Location: Bridgetown Church (2120 NE Tillamook St., Portland, OR)
Easter Sunday
The season of Lent concludes with Holy Saturday, giving way to resurrection celebration on Easter Sunday, when followers of Jesus celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. We rejoice in Jesus’ power over death and the hope of all things made new. Gather with us as we worship and celebrate. Bridgetown Kids available at 8 & 10 AM for ages 0 to 5th grade, and at 5 PM for ages 0 - 5.
Date: Sun, Apr 20
Times: 8AM, 10 AM, 12 PM, 5 PM
Location: Bridgetown Church (2120 NE Tillamook St., Portland, OR)
Latest Teaching
For dust we are and to dust we will return
What is Lent?
In Church history, Lent is observed during the 40 days leading up to Easter (not including Sundays) where followers of Jesus renounce certain foods or comforts, turning away from lesser loves to make space to reclaim our first love and all Jesus has for us. We get the 40 days of Lent from Matthew 4v1-11, where we read about Jesus’ 40 day fast in the wilderness.
Ash Wednesday begins the Lenten season, where the imposition of ashes are received in the shape of a cross on the forehead to symbolize our humanity, the limitations of our mortal bodies, suffering, mortality, and the inevitability of death. In this, we deeply feel our own lack and our need for a Savior.
But we are not without hope! The Lenten season of renunciation and self-denial culminates on Holy Saturday, giving way to the Easter season of feasting and celebration on Resurrection Sunday. On Easter, we celebrate Jesus’ triumphant defeat over death. The hope of the resurrection is that we are being made new, and that all is being made new by the power of Jesus.
How do I participate in Lent?
Beginning on Ash Wednesday and ending on Easter (with exception of Sundays), followers of Jesus practice renouncing lesser loves for the 40 days of Lent in order to reclaim what God has for us.
As you explore what may be beneficial to renounce during this Lenten season, consider asking God to reveal to you what he wants to freely give you in this season. What deep desire in you does God want to fulfill? And further, what neutral or even good appetite are you indulging as a way of fulfilling that desire on your own? This practice can be a guide to help you determine what lesser love you can renounce in this season in order to reclaim your first love, and invite God to meet you in the midst of it. For more on the practice of renunciation and reclaiming, read through the Renunciation Guide below.