Lent, Holy Week, and Easter 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. Won't you join us for some of these wonderful opportunities listed below? Lent simply won’t be the same without you!
The scriptures and stories from this year’s Lenten season offer us narratives of the apostle Peter, a very normal human being, trying to figure out what it means to follow Jesus – just like us. Faith is a constant journey of steadfast pursuit, one that ebbs and flows. In Peter, we see a disciple that keeps going: he drops his nets, he walks on water, he runs to the empty tomb, he swims to the shore to meet the risen Christ. He keeps searching and yearning and loving, even after missteps or mistakes. Ultimately, in Peter’s story, we are reminded that God loves imperfect people – with a wandering heart – in fact, time and again, that’s precisely who God claims and calls.
We hope you will join us following Peter’s wandering heart, as we too bind our own wandering hearts to God, this Lenten season. Whether in prayer practice, book study, Sunday worship, or more – YOU are welcome, and invited to this journey of faith!
We hope you will join us following Peter’s wandering heart, as we too bind our own wandering hearts to God, this Lenten season. Whether in prayer practice, book study, Sunday worship, or more – YOU are welcome, and invited to this journey of faith!
Lenten 2024 Worship
To bring our theme together, and to give it life, each week of Sunday worship will focus on these Lenten questions and scriptures.
On Sundays, Broader Way Worship begins at 10:00am in the Fireside Room, and Sanctuary Worship begins at 10:30am. You can also join us virtually each week for Sanctuary Worship by visiting our Worship this Week page, or our OPCC Facebook page. We "go live" at 10:15am each week, and we would love to have you join us from wherever you find yourself these days.
To bring our theme together, and to give it life, each week of Sunday worship will focus on these Lenten questions and scriptures.
- February 18 | Jesus sought me | Luke 5:1-11 & Psalm 25:1-10
- February 25 | Rescue me from danger | Matthew 14:22-33 & Psalm 22:23-31
- March 3 | Praise the mount | Matthew 16:13-20 & Psalm 19
- March 10 | I’m fixed upon it | Matthew 16:21-23 & Psalm 1-7:1-3, 17-22
- March 17 | Teach me | Matthew 18:15-22 & Psalm 119:9-16
- March 24 | Songs of loudest praise | John 12:12-16
- March 31 | And I hope | Luke 24:1-12
On Sundays, Broader Way Worship begins at 10:00am in the Fireside Room, and Sanctuary Worship begins at 10:30am. You can also join us virtually each week for Sanctuary Worship by visiting our Worship this Week page, or our OPCC Facebook page. We "go live" at 10:15am each week, and we would love to have you join us from wherever you find yourself these days.
Lenten Book Study
As members of The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), when we approach scripture, “we are called to study and read scripture for ourselves. Rather than having tests of faith and creedal statements, we critically and thoughtfully study scripture, taking into account the history and background - the context - in which it was written.” (From the Identity Statement on the disciples.org website)
This Lent, you are invited to study and read scripture with one another, specifically as we look at the life and ministry of Simon Peter. This season we will use the book Simon Peter: Flawed but Faithful Disciple by Adam Hamilton https://www.adamhamilton.com/books/simon-peter in a weekly study with your pastors. It is NOT required that you obtain the book in order to participate in our conversation. Yet, f you would like a copy of the book, you can find digital versions on Kindle, Nook, as well as through the library. You can also let the church office know if you would like a book and we have copies available (regular or large print versions).
Join the study and discussions on Tuesdays at 6:30pm in the Fireside Room beginning on February 20, OR virtually on Thursdays at 12:00pm by way of Zoom, beginning February22.
As members of The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), when we approach scripture, “we are called to study and read scripture for ourselves. Rather than having tests of faith and creedal statements, we critically and thoughtfully study scripture, taking into account the history and background - the context - in which it was written.” (From the Identity Statement on the disciples.org website)
This Lent, you are invited to study and read scripture with one another, specifically as we look at the life and ministry of Simon Peter. This season we will use the book Simon Peter: Flawed but Faithful Disciple by Adam Hamilton https://www.adamhamilton.com/books/simon-peter in a weekly study with your pastors. It is NOT required that you obtain the book in order to participate in our conversation. Yet, f you would like a copy of the book, you can find digital versions on Kindle, Nook, as well as through the library. You can also let the church office know if you would like a book and we have copies available (regular or large print versions).
Join the study and discussions on Tuesdays at 6:30pm in the Fireside Room beginning on February 20, OR virtually on Thursdays at 12:00pm by way of Zoom, beginning February22.
Prayer During Lent: Three Options!
OPCC has THREE interactive prayer practices for all of us to lean into as we journey toward the cross and resurrection of Easter Sunday.
OPCC has THREE interactive prayer practices for all of us to lean into as we journey toward the cross and resurrection of Easter Sunday.
- A physical, weekly, devotional book will soon be available on the entry-way counter. Following the theme of Wandering Heart: Figuring out Faith with Peter, this devotional will provide scripture, reflections, prayers, and meditative prompts for each week as we remember the ways that God has used the full humanity of the apostle Peter in amazing ways, and the ways God can and will use our gifts as well. You can take a large print version, a booklet version, or you can contact the church office for a digital version of the devotional.
- Beginning with Ash Wednesday and continuing through the first few days of Easter, use daily devotional cards to expand and deepen your spiritual walk through Lent. Stacks of cards for each family or individual will be available next to the devotional books on the entry-way counter. Each card has a daily question and a prayer. You might place the stack of cards by your bed to read first thing in the morning or right before you sleep at night. Perhaps use the cards as prompts to journal and reflect. Day by day, these prayers can help us remember that Peter was a very normal human being trying to figure out what it means to follow Jesus – just like us. Take one for yourself and your family, we have plenty and can print more.
- A TEXT MESSAGE devotion from this same resource will come each day in Lent at 9:00am to your phone by way of our messaging system. Each provide a short scripture for you to read, followed by a prayer. To start receiving these devotional prompts text @OPCCDOC (yes, use the @symbol before the letters) to 22300 to join. You can also email your name and cell phone number to the front office to be added to the list, or to make sure you are on the list from years before. (Standard message and data rates may apply, and you can reply STOP at any time to discontinue.)
- Prayer Chapel - Each week OPCC will have a reflection center in the Prayer Chapel to reflect on Peter’s journey in following Jesus. You are invited to spend a few minutes each week during Lent as your time allows in prayer, meditation, and reflection. We hope that you find time to dwell with the Spirit of the Holy no matter when you are at church.
Holy Week
The prayers, praise, and reflections all along our Lenten journey come 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 2024. We hope you will make every effort to be a part of our family of faith during this special time in the church year, March 24 through March 31.
The prayers, praise, and reflections all along our Lenten journey come 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 2024. We hope you will make every effort to be a part of our family of faith during this special time in the church year, March 24 through March 31.
