The season of Lent

News | February 5, 2015

Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18, begins the season of preparation for Easter. With a theme of Soles of Faith, St. Paul people have a variety of opportunities to help make this journey a meaningful one of prayer and togetherness – to lace up their soles to prepare their souls for the resurrection of Christ.

Lent Pen Pals: A faith-filled writing experience, go on the Lenten journey with a fellow St. Paul household. It begins on Sunday, Feb. 15, in Fellowship Hall, 10:45-11:30 a.m. Come for a short devotional moment. Then, each household will meet, and be paired up with, another to exchange one letter a week for the six weeks of Lent. All materials and writing prompts will be provided. Advanced registration helps with planning. Sign up at stpaulqc.org/sign-up-center.

Ash Wednesday: On Wednesday, Feb. 18, worship will be held at 12 noon and 7 p.m. On this solemn day you’ll receive, if you’d like, an ashen cross on the forehead reminding us of our frailty and sin.

Wednesday evenings in Lent (Feb. 25-March 25):

Lenten small groups: Wrestle with some of the popular teachings of why Jesus suffered and died, most all of which make God into a very violent God, oddly enough. Beginning at 5:30 p.m., Pastor Peter Marty presents in the Sanctuary for 15 minutes. Then, small discussion groups meet around the building with guide sheets and questions. Sign up at stpaulqc.org/sign-up-center.

Dinner: Enjoy a meal in community. Catered by HyVee, there will be a different menu each week to feed stomachs and a sense of togetherness. A freewill donation of $7 per person or $20 per family is welcome to cover the cost. Dinner is served from 5:30-6:55 p.m.

Red Apron Crew: This crew offers the warmth of hospitality and service during dinner. Put on an apron and help fill drinks, clear tables, and offer conversation to those who come to eat. To volunteer, contact Joanna Roland at joanna@stpaulqc.orgor 563-326-3547.

Green Apron Crew: Scrape some plates, make some friends. The Environmental Team will scrape and wash dishes to reduce the amount of waste going to the landfill. Scraps will be composted, too. To help, contact Jules Irish at julesi@mchsi.comor 309-269-0816.

Worship: Soles of Faith is the unifying theme for the 7 p.m. worship. A Lenten journey of artistic and biblical reflection, these services will feature the stories of fictional characters and their shoes, from the perspective of a dog named Baxter. The noon worship will follow the same theme.

Giving: Regular midweek Lenten offerings (known to some by the purple envelope) will be given to fight hunger. We hope to exceed $20,000. If you like to make an additional Lenten offering to ELCA World Hunger, please earmark your check memo line with “World Hunger.”

Blessing bags: This is a Lenten service project for those age 3 through 12th grade. Sunday school classes will gather towels and toiletries for men, women, and children of our community without a home. Donation tables will be located in the Education Wing on March 1, 8, and 15.

Devotional book: Lent for Everyone: Mark, Year B by N.T. Wright provides readers with a gentle guide through the Lenten season. Wright, a popular biblical scholar and author, offers a scripture translation, brief reflection, and prayer for each of the days of Lent. Book is available in the Book Corner.

Easter lilies: Honor or remember a loved one with an Easter lily. The lilies will adorn the altar on Easter morning. Lilies are $10 per plan. Download a form here.

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