THE LENTEN SEASON IN ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN

“Lent” (from a word meaning “springtime”) is a richly spiritual season in the church. Like springtime, Lent is a time for renewal, pushing off the dry, dead covering and letting fresh life spring forth. The worship gatherings in the church support our Lenten journey as they call us to remember Jesus’ journey to the cross, to practice spiritual disciplines that strengthen our faith and love, and to seek renewal through prayer, repentance, and listening to God’s Word.

This year Ash Wednesday (the beginning of Lent) falls on February 22nd. St. John’s will observe Ash Wednesday with a Service of Holy Communion starting at 7:30 p.m. and including the Imposition of Ashes.

Then on the following five Wednesdays, we will join with St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Drums, in midweek fellowship and worship. Each Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. we will gather for a “soup supper fellowship.” (Food will be provided by volunteers.) Then, at 6:45 p.m. we will join in Lenten devotions. The first four Wednesdays, these will focus on some of “The Why’s of Faith” – questions which naturally arise along the faith journey. Each evening we will begin with prayer, view a short video (by United Methodist pastor, Adam Hamilton) to spark our thoughts on the “why” being raised, hear a text from the Holy Scriptures, and be invited to share our thoughts and questions informally. We will close our time together with a Psalm, a hymn and prayer.

On the fifth Wednesday, we will join in a time of worship which will include the laying on of hands for healing (for those who desire it.) The schedule for our “community services” is as follows:

DATE WHERE THE “WHY”

Feb. 29 St. John’s Lutheran, Saint Johns Why do the innocent suffer?

March 7 St. Paul’s U.M.C., Drums Why do my prayers go unanswered?

March 14 St. John’s Lutheran, Saint Johns Why can’t I see God’s will for my life?

March 21 St. Paul’s U.M.C., Drums Why God’s love prevails

March 28 St. John’s Lutheran, Saint Johns Healing Service

The joint Lenten services held last year with St. Paul’s blessed those who participated with a joyful sense of Christian unity and love. We look forward to a similar experience this year. Please join us for these times of fellowship, faith conversation, worship and prayer. And, please, invite others to come as well! (If you cannot arrive as early as 6:15, feel free to come later and join the evening in progress.) The devotions and the healing service will be led by Pastor Debra and Sister Janet.

St. John’s Lutheran worship assembly schedule for Holy Week is as follows:

Palm Sunday (Sunday of the Passion), April 1, at 10:00 a.m. – Service of Holy Communion, with Blessing of Palms and Palm Processional

Maundy Thursday, April 5, at 7:30 p.m. – Service of Holy Communion, with corporate confession and forgiveness and the opportunity to receive the laying on of hands

Good Friday, April 6, at 7:30 p.m. – Tenebrae service (Reading of the Passion story as the nave gradually is darkened, hymns are sung, and prayers are made for the whole world)

Resurrection of Our Lord (Easter Day), April 8, at 10:00 a.m. – Festival Service of Holy Communion

THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS

A small group has begun discussing C. S. Lewis’ book, The Screwtape Letters, and invites others to join this interesting conversation which explores matters of the Christian life and temptation. Hour-length sessions are planned for Sundays, February 5 & 19 and March 4 & 18, at 11:30 a.m. in the St. Stephen’s Room. The group has decided to actually read the book during the sessions, although participants may want also to have read the chapters ahead of time if possible. Copies of The Screwtape Letters can be obtained at bookstores or through online book sellers. The focus for the Feb. 5th gathering will be Letters (chapters) I, II, and III. If you have any questions about this opportunity, please speak with Bruce Young or Sister Janet.

HAS THE WORSHIP SERVICE BEEN CANCELLED?

The answer, almost always, is no. Sister Janet lives close enough to the church building to be able to get there and lead worship under almost any weather conditions. So, ordinarily, assume that a scheduled worship service will go forward, even when severe weather conditions are present. However, please use your own good judgment in deciding whether it is safe for you to travel to the church to participate in person. If you cannot be present in person, please join in meditation on Scripture, prayer and, perhaps, the singing of a hymn wherever you are.

That being said, Hurricane Irene prompted our church council to agree on a method by which worshippers can confirm whether there has been a service cancellation: If there is a concern, please phone the church office (788-2685) & listen to the Voice Mail message. If some extreme situation has necessitated a cancellation, that fact will be stated on the Voice Mail. If you hear the normal greeting, assume that plans have not changed.

FELLOWSHIP/SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

Knot-a-Quilt for LWR

Participants meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 9:00 a.m. in Luther Hall to construct knotted quilts which are sent to Lutheran World Relief for distribution to persons all over the world who are in crisis situations. For more information, please speak with Lorraine Klinger.

Lutheran Church Women

LCW meets on the first Thursday of each month at 2:00 p.m. in Luther Hall for spiritual refreshment, fellowship, and planning for service and outreach efforts. For more information, speak with Mary Ellen Sims.

Worship in Butler Valley Manor

Participants gather in the activities room in Butler Valley Manor by 2:45 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month to support the worship service which normally is led by Sister Janet. All you need is a smiling face, a loving heart, a warm handshake, and a willingness to sing with the group.

Valley Food Pantry

Valley Food Pantry serves the needs of our neighbors by providing food and other necessary consumable household items. Please join in this fellowship of service by regularly donating non-perishable food, cleaning products, toiletries, or household paper products. Your contributions can be placed in the "food pantry" basket in our narthex. Monetary contributions also are welcomed.

Items for “On Wings Like Eagles” may be given to the church secretary or placed in the envelope by the church office.

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