In the days following his mountain-top transfiguration, Jesus “set his face to go to Jerusalem,” (Lk 9:51). With this, Jesus and his disciples began an intentional journey that will lead not only to the holy city, but to the events of Holy Week.
This Lenten season, we walk with these figures as Jesus teaches the ins and outs of what it means to be his disciple. In weekend worship, we’ll delve into characteristics of discipleship. Outside of worship, we’ll have the chance to explore and live into those characteristics through service projects and other spiritual practice opportunities.
Lent is traditionally a time of deep reflection and spiritual formation. We invite you to participate in any (or all!) of these Lenten programs for your own journey of discipleship. Our Lenten worship and programming will spiritually prepare us for the events of Holy Week and for the hope of Easter.
Preparation through Contemplation: A prayer series and a weekly meditation experience, organized by Deacon Kyle Soderberg and spiritual director Julie Bonde
Preparation through Action: Weekly Lenten service projects, organized by Children, Youth & Family Ministries Director Renee Hoffman
Preparation through Discovery: “You Can Make a Difference” series, organized by Pastoral Care Minister Jan Frederickson
Preparation through Reflection: Lenten book read of How to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith by Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington D.C., organized by spiritual director Jen Wannen
We invite you to learn more about the programs in this brochure and by reaching out to organizers. Please note that the You Can Make a Difference series requires advance registration and that sign-up is encouraged for the book read, since email updates will be sent to the group.
Preparation through Contemplation: Prayer Series & Weekly Meditations
Weekly Meditation
Wednesdays 12:30-1:00 pm | Zoom (Click Here to Join Online Each Week)
Lent is traditionally a time of preparation for Jesus’ crucifixion, death, and resurrection. This preparation readies us to claim all the benefits of new life come Easter. Part of the preparation process is to deepen our relationship with the divine over Lent. It just so happens we can do that while also lowering the stress level in our bodies through contemplation and meditation.
Join us on Zoom at 12:30 pm each Wednesday during Lent for a 30-minute contemplative/ meditation experience. All are welcome to attend. Each week we’ll feature some form of contemplation and/or meditation experience. And since this is a community-centered experience, anyone in our community who has experience is encouraged to lead a session. To learn more or to convene a session, email Deaon Kyle at Kyle@NativityChurch.org.
“Many Ways to Pray” Series
March 9, 16 & 30 from 9:00-10:00 am | Fellowship Hall
Prayer is a relationship with God. As we grow in relationships, it’s natural to change the way we communicate. It’s natural to long for ways to go deeper for a more authentic relationship. We want to know how to listen, how to hear what God is saying. We want to know how to pray as we are now. The good news is there are many ways to pray.
We invite you to take time this Lent to try some different ways to pray. Drop in at 9:00 am on these three Sundays in Lent—March 9, March 16 and March 31. No registration is required. Contact Jules Bonde, madjules@gmail.com, with questions.
Preparation through Action: Weekly Service Projects
As followers of Jesus, we are called to love courageously, give generously, and proclaim the Gospel through our actions. We believe our personal journeys of faith are challenged and strengthened by responding to the world’s needs and by committing ourselves to making a positive impact in the world.
All Ages Service & Learning Projects
Wednesdays 5:30-6:30 pm | Fellowship Hall
This Lenten Season, we’ll celebrate several of our Outreach Teams and Ministry Partners with Wednesday evening Service & Learning Activities during Nativity’s Wednesday Community Meals. We’ll hear about the work of our Outreach Teams and join in with hands-on service projects for all ages at our tables.
Youth Lenten Service & Learning Opportunities
Wednesdays 7-8 pm | Fellowship Hall
During Lent, we take a pause from our regular confirmation classes and SALT, and offer opportunities for small groups and families to participate in several different Service & Learning Activities. Additional details will be provided on a weekly basis.
Feed My Starving Children Packing Events
1. Family Packing Event | Saturday, March 15, at 5-6:30 pm | Coon Rapids Location
2. Confirmation & Youth Packing Event | Wednesday, March 19, at 7:15-8:30 pm | Coon Rapids Location
Feed My Starving Children is a Christian non-profit that provides nutritionally complete meals specifically formulated for malnourished children. The organization is dedicated to providing nutritious meals to children worldwide. Join us for one of our Lenten Packing Events! Please provide or coordinate your transportation to the FMSC facility at 401 93rd Ave. in Coon Rapids.
For the family event on 3/15, contact Leah Reddy, leah@nativitychurch.org.
For the youth event on 3/19, contact Renee Hoffman, renee@nativitychurch.org.
Preparation through Discovery: “You Can Make a Difference” Series
Six Tuesdays: March 11, 18, 25 & April 1, 8, 15 | In Person at Nativity
Two Time Offerings: 1:00-3:00 pm and 6:30-8:30 pm
Need time to reflect and set priorities for what’s important to you? Want to learn more about your God-given gifts and how you might use them in new or bigger ways? Looking to connect the pieces of your life and live more of what you value? If you answered yes to any of these, the YCMAD series is for you! Nativity is again offering this popular series during Lent. Choose from the afternoon or evening time slot, or let Jan know if you’re interested but unable to meet during those times.
The suggested donation is $35 (scholarships are available!) and includes a deep-dive workbook, an interpretive report, and other supportive materials. To register, inquire about a scholarship, or ask questions, contact Jan Frederickson at pfrederi@msn.com or 612-799-5654.
Preparation through Reflection: Lenten Book Read & Discussion
In-Person: Sundays, March 16, 23 & April 6, 10:30-11:30 am | Fellowship Hall
Online: Thursdays, March 13, 27 & April 10, 7:00-8:15 pm | Zoom
As Nativity focuses on the journey of discipleship this Lent, we invite the community to take part in a Lenten book read that encourages us to reflect on the defining experiences in our spiritual journeys.
How We Learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith is an inspirational guide to the key junctures in life that, if navigated with faith and discernment, pave the way for us to become our most courageous selves. Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, D.C., teaches us that being brave is not a singular occurrence; it’s a journey that we can choose to undertake every day with a full range of decisive moments—decisions to go, to stay, to start, to accept, and to step up to the plate.
She weaves together personal experiences with stories from scripture, history, and pop culture to underscore both the universality of these moments and the particular call each one of us must heed when they arrive. To sign up, ask questions, or request help with ordering a book copy, contact Jen Wannen at jennifer@nativitychurch.org.