Join the North Decatur Presbyterian Church community for the season of Lent. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 22nd and ends on Easter Sunday, April 9th with worship on the Day of Resurrection.
Our focus as a community this year is on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount from Matthew’s gospel–one of the most provocative, challenging, empowering spiritual texts in the world. Each Sunday, we will explore one portion of the Sermon on the Mount in worship.
We are also encouraging all members of our community to embrace spiritual practices during this season: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. There is no one way to do these practices–choose a way of embracing each one that is right for you and hold yourself to it. Find a partner or family member to share the journey with. We have prepared a “menu” of options for these 3 practices that may be helpful:
Special worship is also part of NDPC’s Lenten journey.
- Ash Wednesday (Feb. 22nd): The fire pit will be roaring on the plaza in front of the church for a drop-in self-guided liturgy from 5-6:30pm; this is a good time for families with kids or those who want a gentle, informal beginning to the season. At 7pm, we gather in the Sanctuary for a meditative service of prayer, scripture, music, and reflection. We offer ashes at both gatherings
- Palm Sunday (April 2nd): A rousing parade remembering Jesus’ ascent to Jerusalem will be led by a brass band; cut branches from your own home and bring them to church to lay them on the path of the procession.
- Maundy Thursday (April 6th): Gather at church at 6pm for a service of foot washing in the Sanctuary and a large, festive community dinner with a celebration of Communion.
- Good Friday (April 7th): Join NDPC members for a 2 mile Stations of the Cross walk, beginning at the Ebster Recreation Center in Decatur and ending at NDPC; along the way, we will stop at a dozen places and reflect on how Jesus’ struggles are mirrored in the struggles of our community today. The Sanctuary will remain open until 7pm for anyone to come in and pray.
- Easter Sunday: We worship twice, at 8:45 and 11am!