Lent and Easter 2024
Theme and Worship Schedule
In the Book of Joel, the prophet paints a vivid picture of the coming judgment of God, the Day of the Lord. The imagery is bold and terrifying: hordes of locusts swarming over the land and decimating everything. Joel’s prophecy has teeth even today as wars rage, natural disasters threaten and destroy, and our culture seems to be unraveling. But right in the middle of this frightening portent, we find a tender invitation from the Lord: “Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and He relents over disaster” (Joel 2:13). God’s invitation and promise finds its fullness in Jesus Christ, who personifies and accomplishes all that God declares. During this season of Lent, we will consider the theme “Return to the Lord” and examine how the call to return played out in practical ways for the people who walked alongside Christ as He demonstrated and carried out God’s grace and mercy on our behalf, taking God’s wrath upon Himself, setting the stage for God to “turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind Him” (Joel 2:14).
A Call to Return
Ash Wednesday
Joel’s dark prophecy sets the stage for God’s invitation and promise: “Return to the Lord! I am gracious and merciful, and I will bless you.”
February 14
Joel 2:12-19
Mission Campus: Noon and 7pm
Shawnee Campus: 7pm
Return to Prayer
Lent 1
Our prayer life ebbs and flows, but through it all, the Spirit intercedes for us. When God calls us to pray, he provides the means to do so and even fulfills what we ourselves are unable to do.
February 21
Matthew 26:36-46
Mission Campus: Noon and 6pm
Shawnee Campus: 7pm
Return from Betrayal
Lent 2
Judas betrays Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. This week we will explore the ways we betray one another and Jesus through our denials and rejection of the faith.
February 28
John 18:1-11
Mission Campus: Noon and 7pm
Shawnee Campus: 7pm
Return from False Witness
Lent 3
What does God actually mean in the Eighth Commandment, and what should we do when our failure here leads us away from God? God calls us to turn from sin and look to Him.
March 6
Matthew 26:57-68
Mission Campus: Noon and 6pm
Shawnee Campus: 7pm
Return from Denial
Lent 4
Peter denies Jesus, but Jesus has the last word. He calls us to return to Him.
March 13
Luke 22:54-62
Mission Campus: Noon and 7pm
Shawnee Campus: 7pm
Return to the Kingdom of God
Lent 5
Pilate asks “What is truth?” but the real question is “Who is truth?” God calls us to return to his rule and reign so that he can pour out blessings on us.
March 20
John 18:28-38
Mission Campus: Noon and 6pm
Shawnee Campus: 7pm
Worship Schedule
Midweek Lenten Worship Schedule
► Indicates that the service will be livestreamed.
Date | Mission | Shawnee |
Ash Wednesday, February 14 | noon►, 7pm* | 7pm► |
Wednesday, February 21 | noon►, 6pm | 7pm, 5:30pm meal |
Wednesday, February 28 | noon►, 6pm | 7pm, 5:30pm meal |
Wednesday, March 6 | noon►, 6pm | 7pm, 5:30pm meal |
Wednesday, March 13 | noon►, 6pm | 7pm, 5:30pm meal |
Wednesday, March 20 | noon►, 6pm | 7pm, 5:30pm meal |
*Please note that the Ash Wednesday evening service at the Mission campus will begin at 7pm; subsequent evening midweek services at the Mission campus will begin at 6pm.
Lenten meals will be offered February 21 – March 20 at 5:30pm at the Shawnee campus.
Holy Week Worship Schedule
► Indicates that the service will be livestreamed.
Holiday/Date |
Mission |
Shawnee |
Notes |
Palm Sunday, March 24 | 5:30pm; 8:30►, 9:45, 11am | 8:30, 11am► | Worship with Communion |
Maundy Thursday, March 28 | Noon► and 7pm | Worship with Communion, livestream | |
6pm | Seder meal with worship and Communion | ||
Good Friday, March 29 | Noon | Contemplative Good Friday worship | |
7pm► | 7pm► | Good Friday Tenebrae service | |
Holy Saturday, March 30 | 5:30pm | Easter worship with Communion | |
Easter Sunday, March 31 | 8:30► and 9:45am | 8:30, 9:45 | Easter worship |
11am | 11am► | Easter worship with Communion |