Lent
Lent is the 40 day season leading up to Easter. It’s a season of returning to the Lord and deepening our faith. This Lent we’re doing this with an emphasis on exploring the stories of our baptism. We’ll gather for worship on Sundays at 9:00 a.m. and on Wednesday evenings for a mid-week evening prayer service at 7:00 p.m.
- Lenten devotion book: download here.
- Baptism Story videos on YouTube: watch here.
Wednesday Evening Worship
Wednesday evening worship will center on the music of Taizé and the gift of baptismal stories. Throughout the Lenten season we’ll hear the stories from scripture of the first converts in Acts, the Ethiopian official, Paul, Cornelius, Lydia, right along with the stories from members of our congregation. The stories shared will take us more deeply into the heart of God and what God has first done for each of us through the waters of baptism.
We are in for a treat as a congregation as we sing this music from the Taizé community in France. This ecumenical monastic community is known throughout the world for it’s witness to peace and profound prayer. Betsy Friedrich writes, “The music of Taizé has been a gift to my life because it allows me to set aside the chaos of the day and through the music to settle into God’s gentle presence. My hope is that as we sing this music from the Taizé community you will find that same rest in God’s presence.”
Join the congregation on Wednesday nights throughout Lent for a Soups and Breads dinner at 6:00 p.m. followed by Evening Prayer at 7:00 p.m.
What is Holy Week?
With Christians throughout the world, we are preparing for Holy Week (April 2-9) in which we give our
full attention to Jesus’ victory over sin and death. In this week we will linger at each moment, and open
our eyes, our ears, and our hearts to our Lord. This is called Holy Week because it is seven days
beginning on Sunday and concluding the following Sunday. It’s called Holy because it is focused on our
Lord Jesus and what he has done to save the world.
Sunday of the Passion – April 2 (9:00 a.m.)
Holy Week begins with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. We join the biblical crowds that welcome
Jesus as our king with palm branches of victory. Soon after our shouts of Hosanna (meaning God save us
now) fade away, we will shift our attention to hearing how it is that God will save us. As we read Luke’s
gospel we’ll hear that God is saving us through Jesus’ victory in his death and resurrection. This is Jesus’
Passion and it has begun.
Maundy Thursday – April 6 (7:00 p.m.)
Also known as “Commandment Thursday” on this night we gather with Jesus and his disciples in the
upper room. From John’s gospel we see Jesus wash feet and his mandatum (commandment) that “just
as I have loved you so you must love one another.” From Luke’s we hear of the meal he shared and his
mandatum (commandment) to “do this in remembrance of me.” This worship service does not end it
only pauses until it is resumed on Good Friday.
Good Friday – April 7 (7:00 p.m.)
“Jesus became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” As John’s gospel is read, in our
mind’s eye we see the nails and read the sign. We can hear Jesus declare forgiveness and breathe his
last. This Friday is called Good, not because of the brutality inflicted upon Jesus, but because on this day
our Lord Jesus has saved the world. He is good. His victory is good. That he has saved us from our sin,
from our death, this is good. John’s gospel pauses with Jesus’ body lovingly wrapped and gently placed
in the tomb. As with Maundy Thursday, tonight’s service only pauses until we gather for the
Resurrection of Our Lord: Easter Sunday.
Resurrection of Our Lord: Easter Sunday – April 9 (9:00 a.m.)
“In fact Christ has been raised from the dead!” Paul echoes the witness of Mary Magdalene, Joanna,
Mary the mother of James, and all the other women. They saw and reported the first signs of God’s
great victory over sin and death. In Luke’s gospel the empty tomb begins an Easter Season full of
encounters with the Risen Lord. Alive again, these women and the other disciples will eat and drink,
converse and worship with Jesus the Living One. In Jesus we see the new creation of God coming into
reality before our very eyes and our souls overflow with rejoicing in our Lord.