Lent 2007
"Return to God: We Seek Our
Way"
The holy season of Lent is upon us and the people
of Northaven Church are preparing for the coming of Easter. This year, our
Lenten worship theme is "Return to God: We Seek Our Way."
The theme is taken from the text of a marvelous anthem that will be a part of our Ash Wednesday service this year. Words by Susan Palo Cherwien:
"Return to God from wayward ways
and crossed with ash the threshold cross
into the desert wilderness.
There at your will these two score days;
seek out the dry, a spring awaits.
Seek out the plain, there angels care.
And in the sere and barren air discern the passion under all:
God's voice, "Return, I love you still, I love you still, I love you still."
The beauty of this text is that is suggests the "passion under all," the driving force of our Lenten season, is not a God of judgment, fear, or retribution, to a God who calls with the words, "I love you still..." In a real sense, this is the bedrock meaning of the Lenten season. Lent's goal is not somber penitence or mournful and rote agreement, but a joyful "return" to the loving God who always and everywhere seeks relationship with us.
On the evening before Lent begins, traditionally called "Fat Tuesday," our Music and the Arts Ministry will sponsor a "Fat Tuesday Exotic Art and Sinful Dessert Party." (More about this event elsewhere in this newsletter...)
On Ash Wednesday, in addition to the aforementioned anthem, worshippers will be invited to write down something they wish to release to God during the season of Lent. These items will be symbolically burned, and only then will we turn and receive the traditional "imposition of the ashes."
The first Sunday of Lent, we'll introduce the Lenten theme in worship, and hear the call to join the Lenten journey of return to God. The second Sunday of Lent will feature the Northaven Movement Choir dancing to "Siyahamba," as well as the Ringlieders presenting a handbell prelude on "I'm Just a Poor Wayfarin' Stranger."
On Lent's third Sunday, March 11th, the Joyful Noise Orchestra will play in worship. The choir will sing Stephen Paulus' anthem, "Pilgrim's Hymn," and a new composition by Jane Marshall will be premiered. The text of this new anthem was found at the largest concentration camp for women in Nazi Germany, centers around the theme of "forgiveness." Mary Lowrance will be the preacher on both the third and fourth Sundays of Lent.
On the fifth Sunday of Lent, the theme of "seek the passion under all" will challenge us to turn toward the love of God as we turn toward the holy day of Easter.
Palm Sunday will feature a traditional processional of children and palm branches, while the combined children, adults, and orchestra present the anthem "Enter His Sanctuary Singing," by Hal H. Hopson.
Two other changes are coming in Lent at Northaven. We plan to move to a "worship in the round" configuration in mid-season (beginning March 11th) where our chancel furnishings will be located in the center of the room, and the floor chairs form a complete circle around them. We will also try a new method of praying our "prayers of the people." (Look for another story about this in this newsletter).
Prepare your hearts for a holy Lent!
Key Worship Dates for Lent/Easter:
February 21: Ash Wednesday, Worship 7 pm
February 25: Lent 1: "Return to God," Worship 11 am
March 4: Lent 2: "Seek Out the Dry," Worship 11 am
March 11: Lent 3: "Seek Out the Still," Worship 11 am
March 18: Lent 4: "Seek Out the Plain," Worship 11 am
March 25: Lent 4: "Seek Out the Passion Under All," Worship 11 am
April 1: Palm Sunday, Worship 11 am
April 5: Maundy Thursday, Worship 7 pm
April 6: Good Friday, Worship, 7 pm
April 8: Easter Sunday, Worship 11 am
The theme is taken from the text of a marvelous anthem that will be a part of our Ash Wednesday service this year. Words by Susan Palo Cherwien:
"Return to God from wayward ways
and crossed with ash the threshold cross
into the desert wilderness.
There at your will these two score days;
seek out the dry, a spring awaits.
Seek out the plain, there angels care.
And in the sere and barren air discern the passion under all:
God's voice, "Return, I love you still, I love you still, I love you still."
The beauty of this text is that is suggests the "passion under all," the driving force of our Lenten season, is not a God of judgment, fear, or retribution, to a God who calls with the words, "I love you still..." In a real sense, this is the bedrock meaning of the Lenten season. Lent's goal is not somber penitence or mournful and rote agreement, but a joyful "return" to the loving God who always and everywhere seeks relationship with us.
On the evening before Lent begins, traditionally called "Fat Tuesday," our Music and the Arts Ministry will sponsor a "Fat Tuesday Exotic Art and Sinful Dessert Party." (More about this event elsewhere in this newsletter...)
On Ash Wednesday, in addition to the aforementioned anthem, worshippers will be invited to write down something they wish to release to God during the season of Lent. These items will be symbolically burned, and only then will we turn and receive the traditional "imposition of the ashes."
The first Sunday of Lent, we'll introduce the Lenten theme in worship, and hear the call to join the Lenten journey of return to God. The second Sunday of Lent will feature the Northaven Movement Choir dancing to "Siyahamba," as well as the Ringlieders presenting a handbell prelude on "I'm Just a Poor Wayfarin' Stranger."
On Lent's third Sunday, March 11th, the Joyful Noise Orchestra will play in worship. The choir will sing Stephen Paulus' anthem, "Pilgrim's Hymn," and a new composition by Jane Marshall will be premiered. The text of this new anthem was found at the largest concentration camp for women in Nazi Germany, centers around the theme of "forgiveness." Mary Lowrance will be the preacher on both the third and fourth Sundays of Lent.
On the fifth Sunday of Lent, the theme of "seek the passion under all" will challenge us to turn toward the love of God as we turn toward the holy day of Easter.
Palm Sunday will feature a traditional processional of children and palm branches, while the combined children, adults, and orchestra present the anthem "Enter His Sanctuary Singing," by Hal H. Hopson.
Two other changes are coming in Lent at Northaven. We plan to move to a "worship in the round" configuration in mid-season (beginning March 11th) where our chancel furnishings will be located in the center of the room, and the floor chairs form a complete circle around them. We will also try a new method of praying our "prayers of the people." (Look for another story about this in this newsletter).
Prepare your hearts for a holy Lent!
Key Worship Dates for Lent/Easter:
February 21: Ash Wednesday, Worship 7 pm
February 25: Lent 1: "Return to God," Worship 11 am
March 4: Lent 2: "Seek Out the Dry," Worship 11 am
March 11: Lent 3: "Seek Out the Still," Worship 11 am
March 18: Lent 4: "Seek Out the Plain," Worship 11 am
March 25: Lent 4: "Seek Out the Passion Under All," Worship 11 am
April 1: Palm Sunday, Worship 11 am
April 5: Maundy Thursday, Worship 7 pm
April 6: Good Friday, Worship, 7 pm
April 8: Easter Sunday, Worship 11 am
Posted: Friday - February 16, 2007 at 10:26 AM |
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Published On: May 05, 2008 04:50 PM
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