fasting, prayer and works of love
February Worship
Epiphany worship concludes in February with the familiar stories of Jesus’ calling of the disciples and his transfiguration on the mountaintop. Transfiguration Sunday will conclude the season with a gospel procession, reception of new members and a baptism festival. Our next baptism festival will be April 25, Good Shepherd Sunday.
We’ll continue to use musical setting nine in Evangelical Lutheran Worship through Epiphany and Lent and the baptismal font will have prominence in the environment as it is at the beginning of every new start.
Turning Around — Starting Anew
Sundays in Lent at Central 2010
Lent’s forty days of fasting, prayer, and works of love begin on February 17 with Ash Wednesday services at noon and 7 p.m. Expect optional imposition of ashes at this Holy Communion service. Sundays in Lent will be simple celebrations of the Lord’s Supper shaped around the theme: Turning Around - Starting Anew The planning team shares their thinking with us: “Lent starts next week. Get ready for six weeks of dreary music and feeling sad!” It was not that many years ago that some of us would hear that type of remark. Maybe you still do. It’s not surprising, really, when we consider the cultural images and most common question regarding the season: “What re you giving up for Lent?” Yet there is something counterintuitive about this attitude at a time when, at least in the Northern Hemisphere, days are getting longer, buds are appearing on trees in some areas, while farther south, bushes and flowers are already riotous with color. Isn’t all this seriousness a bit of a put-on?
It may help to remember that the very word “Lent” comes from an Old English word for spring and that the purpose for the Lenten practice of repentance is the renewal of our lives through the renewing of our baptismal identities – individually, yes – but also as a community. “Feeling sad” is neither here nor there, but repentance, turning around and starting anew, gives the longer days and the greening grass a truly deeper meaning. It may be helpful to remember that Sundays in Lent are not numbered among the forty days but remain little Easters throughout the season... they’re Sundays “in Lent,” not “of Lent.”
Lent, also, is not a time for singing one passion and crucifixion text after another. The readings for each week provide a rich tapestry of themes and images that offer glimpses into how we might live out our corporate baptismal identity. So, turn around – start anew!
(portions adapted from “Preparing for Lent” Sundays and Seasons 2010)
Thursdays in Lent 2010
”Dining in the Kingdom of God”
“Since Eve ate apples, much depends on dinner.” Lord Byron, nineteenth century
“This fellow Jesus welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Luke 15:1-2
Christianity is, at its heart, a meal fellowship.* When we gather, we eat. When we’re happy we eat. When we’re sad we eat. At the center of our life together is a table. This Lent we’ll explore what it means to be a meal fellowship, a people on a journey, alternately feasting, snacking, serving, dining, sharing, eating along the way. (We’ll use the images of the many tables we find ourselves at throughout our lives.) (*Gordon Lathrop)
Each Thursday in Lent, we’ll gather, eat a little together – either at a soup lunch, or a light supper of appetizers – then explore together some image of “Dining in the Kingdom of God.” Our time will conclude with prayer together in the sanctuary.
Of course, in the background of all this is the meal that is at the center of our life – the Lord’s Supper. Our Lenten journey will conclude with this meal on Holy Thursday, as we welcome young people to the table. To celebrate that meal we’ll break our Lenten fast with a potluck of rich deserts and snacks that Thursday night following worship.
“Dining in the Kingdom of God” is part one of a two-year Lenten series with the sacraments at their core. Next year we’ll explore images of baptism as we travel through Lent “Walking Wet.” Most of us haven’t thought much about unpacking the meanings of the sacraments for our life of faith since we were in confirmation or first communion class. Use these Lenten weeks live into the sacraments. Come ready to explore images designed to lead us into deeper appreciation and love for these means of grace.
Our Thursday noon prayer time will include responsive readings, psalms, scripture and hymns around the cross. Our Thursday evening prayer time will be quiet and contemplative with candles, song, and scripture around the cross.
Schedule
Thursdays in Lent
11:30 am “Dining in the Kingdom of God” exploring the images (sanctuary)
12:00 noon Responsive Prayer for Lent (sanctuary)
12:30 pm Soup Lunch (fellowship hall)
6:00 pm Appetizers (s commons) (til 6:45)
6:20 pm “Dining in the Kingdom of God” exploring the images (sanctuary)
7:00 pm Prayers around the Cross (sanctuary)
Also during Lent
The labyrinth will be available through Lent in the Community Room.
The Upper Room oratory is always open for prayer.
Pastor Rick will lead “Table Talk” Bible studies on Sunday mornings during Lent
Holy Communion instruction preparing our youth and children to join us at the table on Holy Thursday.
Thanks to the Advent-Christmas-Epiphany seasonal worship team as they conclude their work, and to the Lent-Holy Week-Easter team who have prepared our Lenten journey. They are Steffen Meyer, Dick Hilden, Kris Stedje, Trudy Ness, Phil Holst, Michael Wickman, Dave West and our worship staff, led by Mark Sedio this season.
333 South Twelfth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55404
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Main line: 612-870-4416