Ash Wednesday services, events mark Lent’s start

Lent starts this week for many Christians on Ash Wednesday and many Valley churches will be observing the day with worship services and other events. Lent is the six-week period leading up to Easter, which is celebrated on April 4 this year.

Most area churches follow the Western calendar, which puts Easter on a different date than on the Eastern calendar followed by Orthodox churches. This year, however, is one of the rare years when churches using the different calendars will celebrate Easter on the same day.

•An Ash Wednesday service will begin at 7 p.m. at Opportunity Presbyterian Church, 202 N. Pines Road.

•Zion Lutheran Church, 8304 E. Buckeye Ave., will host a soup supper at 6 p.m. on Wednesday. A service will follow at 6:45 p.m. The supper and worship schedule will continue every Wednesday during Lent.

•A service will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Spokane Valley United Methodist Church, 115 N. Raymond Road.

•The congregation of Veradale United Church of Christ will host a Shrove Tuesday pancake supper at 6 p.m. Tuesday, followed by a family-friendly pancake flipping race. A worship service will close the evening. The church is at 611 N. Progress Road.

•Ash Wednesday services will begin at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, 15319 E. Eighth Ave. The church also will host its traditional Shrove Tuesday pancake supper beginning at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

•Peace Lutheran Church, 4124 N. Harvard Road, will hold its Ash Wednesday service at 7 p.m.

•A soup supper will be served at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Christ Lutheran Church, 13009 E. Broadway, followed by worship at 7 p.m.

Daily prayer

Spokane Valley Community of Christ Church will open its doors at noon weekdays during Lent for nondenominational prayer and meditation for peace. Each day a different country will be prayed for. The church is at 11515 E. Broadway Ave. Call (509) 535-2513 for more information.

Dinner

If one romantic day isn’t enough this month, the Spokane Valley United Methodist Church will host a “Sweetheart Dinner” on Feb. 21. Prime rib will be served and “The Mike King Sing Along” will be the entertainment for the evening. The church youth will serve the meal.

Tickets are $10 per person and are on sale in advance. Call (509) 924-7262 for reservations. The church is at 115 N. Raymond Road.