Lent, the 40-day liturgical season in the Christian calendar leading up to Easter, begins Wednesday, Feb. 13. Services in the Gresham area are planned for Ash Wednesday, the first day marking Lent.
Ash Wednesday received its name for the practice of marking ash crosses on congregants foreheads to symbolize repentance to God. The 40-day season represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, tempted by Satan, and the season is known as a time of reflection.
The following Ash Wednesday services are planned for Feb. 13:
Pleasant Home United Methodist Church, 31632 S.E. Road, Gresham
Prayer service and imposition of ashes: 2 p.m. The church also will hold a program Feb. 17-March 17 about death and grief through the eyes of the cross. For more information, call 503-663-5654 or visit pleasanthomeumchurch.org.
Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church, 795 E. Powell Blvd., Gresham
Services: 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. For more information, call 503-665-5414 or visit wheretheliturgylives.org.
St. Anne Catholic Church, 1015 S.E. 182nd Ave., Gresham
Masses: 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. in English; noon and 7:30 p.m. in Spanish. Stations of the cross and benediction will be held Friday, Feb. 15, in English at 5:30 p.m. and Spanish at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 503-665-4935.
St. Henry Catholic Church, 346 N.W. First St., Gresham
Masses: 8 a.m., noon and 7 p.m. Stations of the cross and benediction will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15, with confessions at 6 p.m. For more information, call 503-665-9129 or visit sthenrygresham.org.
St. Luke Episcopal Church, 120 S.W. Towle Ave., Gresham
Ashes-to-go: 7:30 a.m. at Gresham City Hall Max station.
An Ash Wednesday service will take place at 7 p.m. For more information, call 503-665-9442.
The Grotto, Northeast 85th and Sandy Boulevard, Portland
Masses: noon and 7:30 p.m., with ashes distributed at both Masses. Throughout Lent, The Grotto will hold Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament following noon Mass, concluding with the Via Matris and benediction at 3 p.m. On Saturdays, The Grotto will hold Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession) from 11 a.m. to noon. For more information, call 503-254-7371 or visit thegrotto.org.
Trinity Lutheran Church, 507 W. Powell Blvd., Gresham
Services: 7 p.m. Wednesdays for Lent services and 6 p.m. soup dinner leading up to the week of Easter. A Seder service will be held March 27. For more information, call 503-665-3197 or email office@trinitylutherangresham.org.