Lent

Lent is the 40 day season leading up to Easter. The Latin word “Lent” means Spring. Which is an apt description of the season of nature as the sun warms the earth and plants begin to grow. Spring is also a description of this season of our lives of faith as we seek to intentionally grow in our relationship with Christ in preparation for the remembrance of his great Passover from death to life. It is in his risen life that our lives are renewed.

This Lent, our congregation is going to focus in on growing our relationship with Christ by focusing our attention on Holy Week. We’re going to pause to consider what and why Jesus did what he did each day during that week. Learning facts and details of this week will help us to better hear the gospel story and with “ears to hear” our souls will be opened in new ways to the life our Lord gives.

We will be aided in this Lenten pilgrimage by the work of two scholars, Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan. Together they have written a book that will be our guide, “The Last Week: What the Gospels really teach about Jesus’ final days in Jerusalem.” It’s a catchy title, and as I have read this book they actually deliver.

Here’s how you can participate:

Read the book on your own. – Each household in the congregation will be provided with a copy of this book that you can pick up in the narthex. Please read at your own pace.

Adult Sunay School – On Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. Pastor Stephen will lead a group discussion of the week’s chapter(s). Come and share your reflections or just come and listen. Either way you’ll grow in faith. We’ll meet in Classroom 10.

Wednesday Bible Study – On Wednesday mornings at 10:00 a.m. Pastor Stephen’s Zoom Bible Study will turn their attention to studying the scripture of Mark’s Passion narrative that goes through the events of Holy Week and forms the basis for the book, “The Last Week.” Together we’ll go into greater depth than is possible in Sunday School. Contact Pastor Stephen to get the zoom link.

Wednesday Evening Worship – On Wednesday evenings we’ll gather as a congregation at 7:00 p.m. for Holden Evening Prayer. The scripture and sermon will be based on scripture from Mark’s gospel that we’ve been studying in Sunday School and Bible Study.

Chapter schedule and dates

  • Feb 18 & 21 – Preface and Palm Sunday
  • Feb 25 & 28 – Monday & Tuesday
  • March 3 & 6 – Wednesday and Thursday
  • March 10 & 13 – Good Friday
  • March 17 & 20 – Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday

Lent 2024

Ash Wednesday is Wednesday, February 14.

  • 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. – Ashes “to go” is a brief service in the parking lot
  • 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Ashes “to go” is a brief service in the parking lot
  • 7:00 p.m. – Ash Wednesday Worship Service

Wednesday Evening Worship

February 21 and 28, March 6, 12, and 20. On Wednesday evenings we’ll gather as a congregation at 7:00 p.m. for Holden Evening Prayer. The scripture and sermon will be based on scripture from Mark’s gospel that we’ve been studying in Sunday School and Bible Study.

Palm / Passion Sunday

Sunday, March 24 at 10:00 a.m. – includes Palm procession and the reading of the Passion Gospel.

Maundy Thursday

Thursday, March 28 at 7:00 p.m. – We hear Christ’s command (mandautum) to love one another, we wash feet, celebrate Holy Communion, and the service concludes with the stripping of the altar.

Good Friday

Friday, March 29 at 7:00 p.m. – We bring crosses and turn our attention to the sacrifice and victory of our Lord Jesus on the cross.

Holy Saturday

Saturday, March 30

  • 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – EGGstravaganza – children’s ministry event to engage children in the story of Christ’s Passion through crafts, games, Easter eggs, and the telling of the gospel with Pastor Stephen.
  • 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Flowering of the Cross – drop by the church building and add flowers to a wreath on the cross as a way for us to prayerfully mark this day of waiting and watching. Pastor Stephen will be present to offer a brief Holy Saturday prayer with you. You are welcome to stay for as long as you like to pray.

The Resurrection of Our Lord – Easter Sunday

Sunday, March 31 at 10:00 a.m. – This will be a joyous festival worship service celebrating the triumph of our Lord Jesus Christ. Please invite friends and neighbors to join you for worship – Christ has made a place for them and desires to welcome them into his presence.

Make plans to join in the worship life of the congregation throughout Lent.

Let us begin our Lenten journey of growing closer to Christ,
Pastor Stephen

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