Lent begins February 22 with Ash Wednesday
Service times through Lent:
11:45am/$3 soup lunch following service
7pm/$5 supper at 5:30pm
Powerful stories told to help you remember the life and death of our Lord, Jesus Christ, leading t0 His resurrection. Each week you will receive a small object depicting the steps in His final days. The purpose is to use these objects to create an area in your home for centering yourself to find peace.
Wednesdays in Lent—How Will They Look?
The Services
Nativity’s Lenten experience will include the use of wooden ‘cross-centerpieces’ given out to each household on Ash Wednesday (also available at subsequent Wednesday Lenten services). On Wednesdays (Feb. 29-March 28), each household attending will receive an additional, new symbol, which represents the theme of each service (ex. coin, sponge). By the end of Lent you will have a collection of pieces to enhance personal devotions and remember our Lenten worship experiences.
The Service Times
Wednesdays during Lent (starting with Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22 through March 28) 11:45am and 7pm.
The Music
The morning worship service will include traditional Lenten music performed by our talented Nativity musicians.
The evening service music “Listening For the Heartbeat of God, A Celtic Sojourn”, is patterned after a Celtic evening prayer service from the Iona Community in Scotland. This liturgy, with prayers, blessings and music, will help us to focus on what God’s love looks like in action, as we work for peace, justice and the integrity of creation.
Nativity singers, instrumentalists and ministers will lead us in Celtic meditation, prayer and music as we walk our “Lenten journey.”
Since its beginning in 563 A.D. (founded by Columcille, who was to become St. Columba), Iona has been called the cradle of Christianity in Scotland. It’s fitting that this ancient cradle can find a new home in a Nativity sanctuary.
Lenten Reflection Guide
(available at the Welcome Desk beginning Feb. 18)
The guide contains the biblical passages used at our Sunday and Wednesday services during Lent with corresponding prayers and reflection questions. These guides may be used in a small group discussion or in personal reflection. At Nativity, many people meet once a week with others and use this guide. These small groups will meet each week of Lent before Holy Week. If you would like to join a group at any time during Lent, please call or e-mail Pastor Dan Doerrer. Groups typically meet at church, and gather one hour at a specified day of the week. This is a great way to meet people who worship at Nativity, and be inspired by each other’s story. Contact Dan Doerrer: 612.781.2766 ext. 1008.
Being with God . . .in Prayer
A 45 minute prayer experience focusing on a different form of prayer each Wednesday: silence, scripture, journaling, singing, movement. Times: 1pm, 6:15pm & 8pm, Contact Jan, 612.781.2766 or jfred@nativitychurch.org.
Be a part of this intriguing and beautiful Lenten experience, taking Jesus and his stories home with you. See www.nativitychurch.org/worship/special worship events/ for a listing of our Easter Services.
The Community Lenten Meals
Nativity will host a simple soup and salad meal each Wednesday during Lent following the midday service, and 5:30pm, prior to our evening service. The meals will be served in the Fellowship Hall. There will be a free-will offering, and all proceeds will go toward Nativity’s Youth Mission Trip. (Suggested donation $3-$5). Watch the newsletter and website for the “soup of the day” each Wednesday.
Holy Week Schedule
Palm Sunday, April 1
Sat. 5:30pm
Sun. 8, 9, & 10:30am
Maundy Thursday, April 5
11:45am & 7pm
Good Friday, April 6
11:45am & 7pm