There are so many church activities going on during Lent, beyond the normal busy-ness of the year. Here is a bit of information, to keep you in the know on all the Lenten activities:

Ash Wednesday

Join us for worship and the imposition of Ashes, on March 5th at 10am and 6:30pm.

Lenten Soup Suppers and Bible Study

Join us for a wonderful time of community and dinner before worship. Soup will be served Wednesdays at 5:30pm, beginning March 12th.

As you enjoy your soup, you’re invited to also join the conversation on Psalm 22, based on the book “From Lament to Praise”!  Contact the church office to order your copy of the daily devotional which will complement this conversation.

Wednesday Lenten Services

The midweek Lenten services begin March 12th, on Wednesdays at 6:30pm. 

The theme this year is “Keeping Vigil.” The “Great Vigil of Easter” is a service that reads through the history of God’s saving ways, from creation to Christ’s resurrection. This Lent we will “keep vigil,” studying stories at the heart of God’s plan of salvation: Creation, the Great Flood, the Testing of Abraham, the Exodus, and the Valley of the Dry Bones.

First Communion Class

Students in upper elementary and middle school are invited to join this class which will introduce them to the joy of receiving communion. These classes are a supplement or preview to the confirmation instruction children and youth receive. The primary difference will be that the children will be able to receive communion WHILE they continue their confirmation instruction.
This class will meet Wednesdays at 5pm in the Ladies’ Lounge, beginning March 12th and continuing for 5 weeks. For more information, click to view this article with more details and to sign up.

Palm Sunday

During the normal weekend services on April 12th and 13th, there will be a procession with palms as we begin Passion Week.

Passover Seder Demonstration

Tuesday, April 15 at 6 pm in the school cafeteria. Join Pastor and Debra Albers for their annual demonstration Seder, held in the school cafeteria.  This opportunity offers a picture of the Jewish traditional meal, and connects it with our Christian traditions.

Maundy Thursday

Thursday, April 17

• 10 am – Divine Service with Reconciliation of the Penitents
• 6:30 pm – Divine Service with Reconciliation of the Penitents and Stripping of the Altar

Good Friday

Thursday, April 17

• 12 pm – Liturgy of the Cross
• 6:30 pm – Way of the Cross

Easter Sunday

Sunday, April 20

•  6:30 am – Easter Sunrise Celebration
•  10 am – Easter Festival Service

The people of St. John’s will gather early in the morning, at 6:30am, for the first Sunrise Celebration of the Easter, and then again at 10am for the Festival of the Resurrection of our Lord. Both services will include Holy Communion and each will feature a sermon that proclaims the good news of Christ’s resurrection.

Easter, the Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord, is THE celebration of our faith as God’s people, the highlight of all we do in worship. Everything in the life of God’s people either points to or flows from this celebration. On the morning of April 20 we will celebrate that our Lord has conquered sin and death through the power of his rising again.