Worship Notes: Lent Worship Reminders March 30, 2022

A SIMPLE & SHORT CHOIR OPPORTUNITY: I know there are some choral singers in this congregation, so I'm wondering if those who are able to read music a little bit, and/or already know the parts for "O Sacred Head Now Wounded" would come and meet with me after worship next week Sunday, April 3. I would love to lead the congregation with the 4-part hymn-writing of this classic hymn on Good Friday. Let me know if you are interested and meet me on the stage after the service. Thanks, Ruth Ann

SERVE Bingo cards: How many acts of service have you been able to check off? I'm not nearly done, but I have been paying more attention to how God works in my life when I pick up garbage, or send an email to a missionary. God opens our eyes to look beyond ourselves, and thus to be grateful for his world, and other people.

On Sunday, April 10 (Palm Sunday) the spiritual practice/discipline we will be engaging with is "creation." This is a reminder for your creation photos! As you walk outside, as you take time for silence, as you sit and watch and listen, and as you contemplate creation and Creator, I would love to see your photos. The practice of "wonder" is deeply connected here, as we wonder at God's creativity, and beauty, and goodness in all that we see around us. May God be present with you as you ponder the beauty of creation, and as you open your eyes to how God is speaking to you. Thank you to those who have sent some already! Please send me your photos by Thursday, April 7.

GOOD FRIDAY WORSHIP: Tenebrae Service April 15 @ 7 PM

“Tenebrae” (service of shadows) is a prolonged meditation on Christ’s suffering. As we journey with Jesus from the Last Supper to the cross, the power of silence and darkness suggest the drama of this momentous event. As candles are extinguished, and lights are dimmed, and the darkness increases, we ponder the depth of Christ’s suffering and death. We remember the cataclysmic nature of his sacrifice with silence and the sound of the strepitus (to symbolize Jesus' death)

As you enter worship, please pick up a rock at the front entrance. Hold this rock, feel the weight of it as you contemplate the weight of your sin and the distractions in your life. Jesus died to forgive and make whole. During the song “O Come to the Altar” you are all invited to bring this rock to the front and place it in the basket on the communion table to represent your giving up and giving to God your sin and brokenness. (I highly encourage you to participate: the tangible, active step of getting out of the pew has the potential to make your worship more powerful and real). As we receive the bread & cup in the service, we are then being renewed by Jesus’ life and death: his broken body and blood shed for us.

In Christ, Ruth Ann

Lent Worship Reminders - March 30, 2022