Keeping a Holy Lent

Lenten Programs & Worship Services 2016

Wycliffe Presbyterian Church 1445 N. Great Neck Road Virginia Beach, Virginia 23454 www.wycliffepresbyterian.org Phone: 757-496-2620 What is Lent?

Lent is a season of preparation leading up to Easter. It is the forty days plus the six Sundays before Easter. For centuries, it has been observed as a special time of self examination and penitence. Lent is a time for concentration on fundamental values and priorities. Presbyterians use this time to focus specifically on their baptism into the faith and what it means to them. This is a great time to focus on reading the or to begin the day with Lenten devotions. There are copies of the Upper Room in the narthex and reception area.

Christian Education

During Lent, the Adult Sunday School class will be using Adam Hamilton’s DVD series The Way: Walking in the Footsteps of . We will explore and discuss Jesus’ teaching ministry from his baptism through Holy Week in . Classes for the six weeks of Lent start on Sunday, February 14 at 9 AM in room 210. No homework required; come join us for Lent. In February, our preschool through elementary students will be studying the Ten Men Healed, The Good Samaritan, Prodigal Son, and Mary and . In March they will learn about Zacchaeus, , Holy Week, and The . Their classes meet each week at 10:00 following the Pastor's message with the children. Worship

Ash Wednesday February 10 at 7 pm Wycliffe will host a joint Ash Wednesday service with Virginia Beach Christian Church at 7:00 pm on February 10. Join us as we begin the holy season of Lent.

Lenten Music Offering Sunday, February 21 “Touch the Robe,” a service of Lenten readings and music will be presented Sunday, February 21, at 10am, by the Chancel Choir, Another Day Dawning, and guest instrumentalists from the Virginia Symphony. It’s another great day to bring a friend to worship!

A Service of Christian Prayer with Taizé Music Wednesday, March 9 at 7 pm A quiet hour of candlelight, music, scripture, and silence. Palm Sunday Sunday, March 20 We will celebrate Jesus’ triumphal ride into Jerusalem as we commemorate the beginning of Holy Week.

Maundy Thursday Thursday, March 24 at 7 pm Thursday recalls Jesus’ last meal with his disciples when he took bread and wine and told his followers to remember him whenever they share communion.

Good Friday Friday, March 25 The Wycliffe sanctuary will be open during the day for prayer to observe Jesus’ crucifixion. There will be a joint Good Friday Service at 7 pm at Virginia Beach Christian Church.

Easter Sunday, March 27 Join in the great celebration of the Risen ! Enjoy the sound of trumpets while surrounded by the beauty of lilies and fellow believers. Don’t miss the high point in the Christian year! Prayers for Lent

Holy God, by the grace of Jesus Christ you know the tests and trials we face. Walk with us through this wilderness. Come to us with ministers of healing and visit us with messengers of hope, so that we may return to you in faith, believing the good news of the gospel; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Based on Mark 1:9-15

Loving God, giver of all light and life, you sent Jesus Christ into the world not to condemn, but to save. Help us to lift up the light of Christ so that the world might believe in him and receive the gift of eternal life; through Christ, the light of the world. Based on :14-21

For Good Friday Blessed Savior, at this hour you hung upon the cross, stretching out your loving arms. Grant that all the peoples of the earth may be drawn to your redeeming love; for your kingdom's sake. Amen.

For Easter God of grace and peace, in Jesus Christ you stand among us as a sign of healing, hope, and joy in our fearful, wounded world. Fill us with your Holy Spirit so that we may have faith and life through Christ, our risen Savior. Based on :19-31

Prayers from the Office of Theology and Worship, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)