Easter with Shepherd
You’re invited to join us as we remember Jesus’ death and celebrate new life & hope through his resurrection!
Holy Week
Palm Sunday
March 24, 8:00, 9:15, 10:45am
In person & online
Maundy Thursday
March 28, 6:30pm
In person only, Last Supper experience in Community Center
Good Friday
March 29, 6:30pm
In person & online
Lent Services
Wednesdays, February 21, 28, March 6, 13, 20
5:00pm Sanctuary
in person only, followed by soup supper
Ash Wednesday
February 14
5:00 & 7:00pm
in person & online
Easter Services
Saturday, March 30
6:30pm
In person & online
Sunday, March 31
8:00*, 9:15, 10:45am | Sanctuary
In person & online
10:00am Family Service | Community Center
In person only
Kids are invited to worship with their families on Easter. sovKids Sundays will resume on April 7.
*Nursery for children 4 years and under is available for all Holy Week and Easter services except March 31 at 8:00am. A nursing room is also available at all services.
Our 2024 Lenten practice includes a daily rhythm of multi-dimensional devotions for the six weeks before Easter. The theme, based on Libby Johnson’s spiritually formative resources (click on the daily image), is about cultivating something new to allow God to deepen our faith and walk with Him. Engage here daily and through worship on Wednesdays and Sundays and see what God cultivates in you in this season.
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Thursday
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Lent 2024
Week 1
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Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Monday
- Tuesday
WEEK 1 | Feb 15
Prayer Walk: Take time to walk outside today and listen to the words of Psalm 139 as you go. Pray on this question: How would God describe my identity?
WEEK 1 | Feb 16
Take some quiet moments today to read Philippians 3:8-10 three separate times with space for prayer and reflection in between each reading; in your first reading, find a word or phrase that sticks out to you. What is significant about it to you here and now? In your second reading, imagine Jesus speaking these words directly to you. How do they make you feel? In your third reading, ask yourself what things in my life am I placing over Jesus? Where are they hindering my capacity to live out of the identity that he has called me to?
WEEK 1 | Feb 17
Spend some time drawing or doodling all the identities/titles/roles that have been placed on you. As you do, pray a prayer of surrender so that each role falls under your identity as a son or daughter of God.
WEEK 1 | Feb 19
In your quiet space today, focus on your breathing. Choose one phrase from Psalm 139 that reminds you of your identity in Christ. With each slow breath in, repeat that phrase in prayer. With each breath out, offer the other identities that you listed before, or those you have tried on throughout your life. Repeat this several times, slowly and intentionally over the course of the next few minutes, while focusing on God’s presence with you.
WEEK 1 | Feb 20
Prayer of Examen: 1. Place yourself in God’s presence. Give thanks for God’s great love for you. 2. Pray for the grace to understand how God is acting in your life. 3. Review your day — recall specific moments and your feelings at the time. 4. Reflect on what you did, said, or thought in those instances. Were you drawing closer to God, or further away? 5. Look toward tomorrow — think of how you might collaborate more effectively with God’s plan. Be specific, and conclude with the “Lord’s Prayer”
Week 2
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Thursday
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WEEK 2 | Feb 22
Prayer Walk: Take time to walk outside today and listen to the words of Psalm 1 as you go. Pray on this question: What season have I been in lately?
WEEK 2 | Feb 23
Take some quiet moments to read Matthew 11:28–30 three separate times with space for prayer and reflection in between each reading.
In your first reading, find a word or phrase that sticks out to you. What is significant about it to you here and now?
In your second reading, imagine Jesus speaking these words directly to you. How do they make you feel?
In your third reading, ask yourself what daily rhythms form the yoke you carry. Where are they ill-fitting or burdensome?
Haiku Meditation:
“Covered through winter.
Time to pull back what's been veiled.
Seasons are changing.”
(Haiku: a 17 syllable poem with the purpose to slow down, become attentive to what is around you and distill your words to describe your surroundings or how God is leading you. The first line is 5 syllables, second line is 7 syllables and the third line is 5 again.)
Take a few moments to craft a haiku describing how God is leading you to rest and surrender today.
Breath Prayer
In your quiet space today, focus on your breathing. Choose one phrase from Matthew 11:28–30. With each slow breath in, repeat that phrase in prayer. With each breath out, offer the things in your heart that are not in alignment with Jesus' yoke for you. Repeat this several times slowly and intentionally over the course of the next few minutes while focusing on God’s presence with you.
WEEK 2 | Feb 27
Prayer of Examen: 1. Place yourself in God’s presence. Give thanks for God’s great love for you. 2. Pray for the grace to understand how God is acting in your life. 3. Review your day — recall specific moments and your feelings at the time. 4. Reflect on what you did, said, or thought in those instances. Were you drawing closer to God, or further away? 5. Look toward tomorrow — think of how you might collaborate more effectively with God’s plan. Be specific, and conclude with the “Lord’s Prayer”
Week 3
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Thursday
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- What has been lying dormant and is awakening in my life?
- Where do I find myself resisting or surrendering to pulling back the covering of the winter season?
- What new growth am I dreaming about with God?
- A garden’s topsoil has to be crumbled in order for new things to grow. What protective top layer of soil in my life needs to be crumbled to allow for new growth? What will it require of me?
Week 4
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Thursday
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Week 5
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Thursday
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