First Congregational Church

Lent, Holy Week and Easter

Living Into God’s Dream:
A Lenten Journey of Forgiveness & Reconciliation

            To work for reconciliation is to want to realize God’s dream for humanity—when we will know that we are indeed members of one family, bound together in a delicate network of interdependence.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Some Christians “give up” something for Lent; others “take on” something they hope will bring them closer to God.  We will be focusing on forgiveness and reconciliation this year—challenging ourselves to “take on” these practices so we can “let go” of pain, bitterness and grudges, and live into healing, wholeness, harmony and peace. We will be encouraged to carry with us a symbol of the burdens of hostility and enmity; when we are able to forgive, we will add our “rocks” to a heap of stones in the Sanctuary. There will be opportunities for learning and worship each Sunday, and time for personal reflection and application on Wednesday evenings. Please join us for all or part of the journey.
Ash Wednesday Service: Forgiven, Wednesday, Feb. 17, 7 p.m.

Sunday Morning Forums (9:15 a.m., Chapel)

Using the South African experience (and other examples) as a starting point, we will examine some  the difficulties, success stories, potential, and necessity of forgiveness & reconciliation. We will discuss  how to apply the lessons learned to our lives, relationships, and our work against racism. 

February 21:  No Future Without Forgiveness
February 28:  Long Walk to Freedom
March 7:           Pool of Tears
March 14:        Remember and Forgive
March 28:        Moving Toward Reconciliation

Sunday Worship Services (10:30 a.m.)

February 21: Deliverance
February 28:   Reconciled and Reconciling
March 7, Intergenerational:  Like a Rock
March 14:  Affirmative Forgiveness
March 21:  Remember and Forgive
March 28, Palm/Passion Sunday:  The Cost of   Reconciliation

Lenten Devotionals:(Wednesdays, 7 p.m.,  Chapel)

The Practice of Forgiveness, the Work of Reconciliation
Using Hebrew and Christian scriptures, Buddhist meditations and other resources, we will take some quiet time to examine our lives and apply ourselves to God’s work of forgiveness & reconciliation.

February 24:  Receiving God’s Forgiveness
March 3:           Forgiving Others
March 10:        Seeking Forgiveness
March 17:        Forgiving Myself
March 24:        Living Forgiveness
Holy Week

Wednesday, March 31, 7 p.m.:
Reaching for Reconciliation: A Service of Foot-washing

Maundy Thursday,  April 1, 6:30 p.m., Dining Room:
Potluck Supper and Service of Tenebrae

Good Friday, April 2:  Details forthcoming