Lent & Holy Week at OPCC
Lent is a time to draw near to God through spiritual disciplines – worship, Bible study, acts of service, sacrifice and prayer. We have lots of options for you here at OPCC during Lent and Holy Week, and we hope you will take advantage of these during this season! Join us in drawing closer to God as we Follow the Way through Lent, toward the cross and toward grace, together.
Following the Way: Lent 2018
In his book Let Your Life Speak: Listening for Voice of Vocation, Parker J. Palmer shares his experience of searching for a new direction, a new way. In his search, he visits Pendle Hill, “a community rooted in prayer, study, and a vision of human possibility,” where he is guided to simply “Have Faith…and way will open.” After much discernment, waiting, and frustration that way had not yet opened for him, a woman named Ruth opened his eyes to the possibility that perhaps “way” would not open clearly in front of him, but that “a lot of way has closed behind me, and that’s had the same guiding effect.”
As followers of Christ, each of us is following way; the earliest Christians were referred to as “followers of the way,” and the prophet Isaiah spoke of what it would take to prepare the way for the arrival of God’s anointed one. During Advent we focus on preparing a way for the Lord’s anointed in a way that no one knew what to expect. During Lent we focus on preparing a way for God to move in and through our lives through Jesus of Nazareth, as we all travel toward Jerusalem, together. A focus on the way of Jesus as laid out in John’s Gospel helps us to follow in his footsteps and see both his choices and priorities; reminders from Isaiah help us to see that the Way of Christ is rooted in justice.
We are in this journey together, yet the experience of following way can be very different for each person. Join us at OPCC this Lent as we use passages from the Gospel of John and the book of Isaiah to follow the way: the way to the Lord, the way of Jesus, the way to the cross, the way to new life. There are many opportunities for you to join along the way – we hope you will find at least one that helps accompany you on this journey.
Lenten Worship
To bring our theme together, and to give it life each week, we will focus on Sunday 10:30am worship each Sunday, and on a few extra worship services through Lent, on “the way” of Jesus as he makes his way to the cross in the Gospel of John. As we learn more about what it meant for Jesus to follow the way, so too will we explore ways that we are called to shared ministry on the way. Won’t you join us?
Prayer During Lent
OPCC has provided a Lenten daily devotional “Fellowship of Prayer: Following the Way,” for all those interested as a way to pray together throughout this season of Lent. Use the devotional as a way to pray with your family, or on your own, as we follow the way together toward Easter morning. This year the devotional has been written by Bethany Fellows, pastors from around the country, and edited by Bethany Fellow alumni and advisors, including Rev. Laura Ann Phillips! The devotional booklets are available on the front entry way counter.
Whether as a family or on your own, we invite everyone to read the devotion each day, and pray the prayer that day, so that we might follow the way, together.
Lenten Small Group Study: Two Options!
Our small group study this year will take a closer look at the “I AM” sayings of Jesus in the Gospel of John by following The God We Can Know by Rob Fuquay. This video & book based study will be offered twice a week to accommodate different schedules. The material presented at each gathering will be the same, but of course the make-up of our attendees can always make for unique and interesting conversation each gathering.
We have ordered 15 copies of the book, and those can be purchased from the church for $8 each, or you can find the book at most major retailers, including those who have electronic books. There is no requirement to purchase the book, but it is available for those who would like.
Please join us on Mondays from 12pm – 1pm in the Fireside Room, or on Wednesdays from 6pm – 7pm, also in the Fireside Room. Both gatherings will begin the week of February 19 and meet through Holy Week. ALL ARE WELCOME! Whether you’ve come to OPCC 2 or 222 times, all are welcome at any of our gatherings!
Mondays 12pm – 1pm: 2/19, 2/26, 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26
Wednesdays 6pm – 7pm: 2/21, 2/28, 3/7, 3/14, 3/21, 3/28
In his book Let Your Life Speak: Listening for Voice of Vocation, Parker J. Palmer shares his experience of searching for a new direction, a new way. In his search, he visits Pendle Hill, “a community rooted in prayer, study, and a vision of human possibility,” where he is guided to simply “Have Faith…and way will open.” After much discernment, waiting, and frustration that way had not yet opened for him, a woman named Ruth opened his eyes to the possibility that perhaps “way” would not open clearly in front of him, but that “a lot of way has closed behind me, and that’s had the same guiding effect.”
As followers of Christ, each of us is following way; the earliest Christians were referred to as “followers of the way,” and the prophet Isaiah spoke of what it would take to prepare the way for the arrival of God’s anointed one. During Advent we focus on preparing a way for the Lord’s anointed in a way that no one knew what to expect. During Lent we focus on preparing a way for God to move in and through our lives through Jesus of Nazareth, as we all travel toward Jerusalem, together. A focus on the way of Jesus as laid out in John’s Gospel helps us to follow in his footsteps and see both his choices and priorities; reminders from Isaiah help us to see that the Way of Christ is rooted in justice.
We are in this journey together, yet the experience of following way can be very different for each person. Join us at OPCC this Lent as we use passages from the Gospel of John and the book of Isaiah to follow the way: the way to the Lord, the way of Jesus, the way to the cross, the way to new life. There are many opportunities for you to join along the way – we hope you will find at least one that helps accompany you on this journey.
Lenten Worship
To bring our theme together, and to give it life each week, we will focus on Sunday 10:30am worship each Sunday, and on a few extra worship services through Lent, on “the way” of Jesus as he makes his way to the cross in the Gospel of John. As we learn more about what it meant for Jesus to follow the way, so too will we explore ways that we are called to shared ministry on the way. Won’t you join us?
- February 14 - Ash Wednesday: John 10:1-18
- February 18: John 11:1-44
- February 25 – Week of Compassion: John 13:1-17
- March 4: John 18:15-27
- March 11: John 18:28-38
- March 18: John 17:1-26
- March 25 – Palm Sunday: John 18:1-14
- March 29 – Maundy Thursday: John 19:23-30
- April 1 – Easter: John 20:1-18
Prayer During Lent
OPCC has provided a Lenten daily devotional “Fellowship of Prayer: Following the Way,” for all those interested as a way to pray together throughout this season of Lent. Use the devotional as a way to pray with your family, or on your own, as we follow the way together toward Easter morning. This year the devotional has been written by Bethany Fellows, pastors from around the country, and edited by Bethany Fellow alumni and advisors, including Rev. Laura Ann Phillips! The devotional booklets are available on the front entry way counter.
Whether as a family or on your own, we invite everyone to read the devotion each day, and pray the prayer that day, so that we might follow the way, together.
Lenten Small Group Study: Two Options!
Our small group study this year will take a closer look at the “I AM” sayings of Jesus in the Gospel of John by following The God We Can Know by Rob Fuquay. This video & book based study will be offered twice a week to accommodate different schedules. The material presented at each gathering will be the same, but of course the make-up of our attendees can always make for unique and interesting conversation each gathering.
We have ordered 15 copies of the book, and those can be purchased from the church for $8 each, or you can find the book at most major retailers, including those who have electronic books. There is no requirement to purchase the book, but it is available for those who would like.
Please join us on Mondays from 12pm – 1pm in the Fireside Room, or on Wednesdays from 6pm – 7pm, also in the Fireside Room. Both gatherings will begin the week of February 19 and meet through Holy Week. ALL ARE WELCOME! Whether you’ve come to OPCC 2 or 222 times, all are welcome at any of our gatherings!
Mondays 12pm – 1pm: 2/19, 2/26, 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26
Wednesdays 6pm – 7pm: 2/21, 2/28, 3/7, 3/14, 3/21, 3/28
Holy Week
The prayers, praise, and reflections all along our Lenten journey are rapidly coming to an end as we make our way toward Holy Week. Please take note of the many continued and new opportunities we have during Holy Week. We hope you will make every effort to be a part of our family of faith during this special time in the church year.
The prayers, praise, and reflections all along our Lenten journey are rapidly coming to an end as we make our way toward Holy Week. Please take note of the many continued and new opportunities we have during Holy Week. We hope you will make every effort to be a part of our family of faith during this special time in the church year.
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Sunday, March 25 - April 1
Prayer Stations Uniquely focused Prayer Stations will be set-up in the Overflow Room, Sanctuary and Courtyard, providing a time and space for you to experience God in your life. Prayer Stations offer a simple approach to prayer and spiritual reflection where you can participate at your own pace. Participate in as many or as few as you choose and please plan to come back more than once. Sunday, March 25 Palm Sunday & Processional Children, and children at heart, have the opportunity to join us in our Palm Sunday Processional on Sunday morning at 10:30am. Talk with Rev. Lisa Setty for more information! |
Monday, March 26 &
Wednesday, March 28 Final Study of "The God We Can Know" You are still welcome to join us as we finish our study of the book, "The God We Can Know" on Monday at 12:00pm or Wednesday at 6:00pm, both in the Fireside Room. No need to have read the book in advance. Thursday, March 27 Maundy Thursday Join us at 7:00pm for our Maundy Thursday worship service. On this special night we share in prayer, communion, and singing to observe this holy, "maundy" day. Sunday, April 1 Easter Sunday 10:30am Easter Worship A baptism will be included during the 10:30am Sunday Worship. Christian Education classes will not be held on Easter Sunday, but will resume on Sunday, April 8. |
