Worship | Lent & Holy Week 2012
Lent 2012
Download the 2012 Lenten BrochureFrom the Senior Minister
Ash Wednesday (February 22nd, 2012) invites us into the season of Lent - a time within the church year to acknowledge that we are mortal and limited. Lent awakens us to hope in God's struggle against everything that leads us away from the love of God and neighbor. The Lenten disciplines of repentance, fasting, prayer, study and works of love are guides for restoring our relationship with the Spirit.
During Lent, people often think of giving something up. As an alternative, some Christians add a spiritual practice to their daily lives. This Lent, why not incorporate both practices by signing up for the 2012 Ecumenical Carbon Fast? Beginning on Ash Wednesday and throughout Lent, participants will receive a daily email with the day's suggested carbon-reducing activity. When possible, this will include a quantitative measure of the carbon reduction resulting from the activity. The activities range
from the very simple: eliminate "vampire" electrical use; to the moderately challenging: take "military showers;" reduce your driving speed; to more long term: buy local produce and consider getting involved in a community garden. While each of these activities is a form of spiritual practice -- a concrete way of participating in the stewardship of God's creation -- some of the activities are overtly spiritual in the more usual sense that people understand the word: meditation, prayer, self-reflection. The intention is to provide do-able actions which can make a difference; not to overwhelm people, make them feel bad about themselves, or cause them to feel that the situation is hopeless.To sign up for the 2012 Ecumenical Lenten Carbon Fast, visit: http://bit.ly/2012LentenCarbonFast
Wishing you a holy and meaning-filled Lenten Season,
Pastor Matt Braddock
Days of Simplicity Lenten Musical Offerings
The Music Ministry of Christ Congregational Church will offer the annual series of six Lenten musical offerings and soup luncheons beginning on Wednesday, February 29th and continuing each Wednesday through April 4th. The musical offerings begin promptly at 12:00 noon in the church Sanctuary and last approximately 30-40 minutes. A free-will offering is accepted each week in order that we might recognize and support the time and talent of our participating musicians. Our generous contributions have made this a fully self-supporting program in the life of CCC for the past six years.
Following each concert, there is a luncheon of home-made soup and bread served in the Conference Room on the second floor. The meal is organized, and hospitality is provided, by our Senior Adults each week. The schedule of musicians is as follows. Please plan to join CCC members, friends and our guests for each of these weekly concerts!
- February 29th -- Lazo Momchilovich, oboe and English horn
- March 7th -- Natalie Barrens, soprano with Mary Ann Willow, piano
- March 14th -- Douglas Wolters, cello and viole da gamba
- March 21st -- Stuart Kern, euphonium and double-bell euphonium
- March 28th -- Michelle Esposito, clarinet
- April 4th -- Molly Stier, classical piano
Plan now to attend each week and invite a neighbor or friend to come with you!
For further information regarding this year’s program,
contact Dr. Nae Pearson, Director of Music at (301)585-8010, ext. 224.
Church School
During Lent, the children will be exploring readings from the Hebrew Scriptures, hearing words of promise and covenant. The stories of Noah and of Abraham and Sarah, and the readings from the Psalms and the prophet Jeremiah encourage us to examine what it means to live faithfully and to be true to God’s covenant. Like a labyrinth journey, Lent and Easter is a time of allowing ourselves to be guided towards new insight and transformation. Through these stories, the children will learn how God guides us along life’s path, keeping covenant with us always. Throughout Lent, each Church School class will be creating a banner that will decorate the Sanctuary during the Easter Season. We look forward to sharing the joy of realizing God’s covenant with your children as they prepare for Easter. For more information, contact Sue Wilson at sue@cccsilverspring.org.
Youth: Lenten Activities and Sunday Evening Programs
Ash Wednesday, February- 22nd - Pancake Supper 6:00-7:00 p.m. - Social Hall - Supper hosted by the Middle School Youth – Free-will donation proceeds benefit the youth summer mission trip to Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity Work Camp in Franklin, West Virginia.
Sunday, February 26th, 5:00-8:00 p.m. - Potomac Association Mission Event for 8th-12th graders at Westmorland UCC in Chevy Chase, MD.
Saturday, March 3rd, 7:00-11:00 p.m. - Senior High Mission Trip volunteers set-up, greet and clean-up for CCC Big Band Spring Dance
Sunday, March 4th, 4:00-8:00 p.m. - Evening worship with Communion and regular youth programs
Sunday, March 11th, 4:00-8:00 p.m. - Parent & Youth Potluck and Family Worship and Programs
Saturday-Sunday, March 17th-18th - Middle School Retreat to For the Love of Children -- Ropes & Confidence Course, Harper's Ferry, WV.
Sunday, March 18th, 4:00 –8:00 p.m. - No evening worship; No Middle School program; Covenant Class and Senior High OWL meet.
Sunday, March 25th, 4:00-8:00 p.m. - Consecration Sunday & Senior High OWL graduation.
Sunday, April 1st - (Palm/Passion Sunday) No Sunday evening youth group programs.
Sunday, April 8th - (Easter Sunday) No Sunday evening youth group programs.
For further information on Youth Events, please contact Kristen Brown
Lenten Opportunities for Spiritual Nourishment
Family Yoga* – Spiritual nourishment for parents/caregivers and children ages 3 and up. Join us during Lent and beyond on 2nd Sundays, March 11 & April 8, 12:15-1:15 p.m., in the CCC Meeting Room, $5 per participant.
Intergenerational Yoga*– Spiritual nourishment for congregants ages 10 to 60+ and all active older adults. Join us during Lent and beyond on 3rd Sundays, March 18 & April 15, 12:15-1:15 p.m., in the CCC Meeting Room, $5 per participant.
*Yoga instructor, Lama Dajani requests that you eat only lightly beforehand, bring a yoga mat if you have one, wear comfortable clothes, and come to experience the spiritual practice of yoga!
Educational Sessions on the Middle East: On Sunday, March 4th at 12:15 p.m. This first meeting will be spent viewing the new film, BUDRUS, a documentary about the non-violent resistance of a Palestinian village (aided by Israeli peacemakers and international supporters) to the destruction of their olive trees and other property in the way of the Separation Wall.
3rd Tuesday Gathering for Spiritual Nourishment: "Exploring Islam": March 20th from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. with brown bag lunch following at noon. To further our knowledge and understanding, we will view and discuss the documentary, "Inside Islam: What a Billion Muslims Really Think". Everyone is welcome!
Contemporary Theology Class: Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. in the Conference Room. Dynamic discussions and reflections facilitated by various members while the group reads a chosen book together. New members welcome anytime. For more information, please contact Pastor Amy Lewis or CCC member Mary Stone.
“Exploring our Gifts and Callings”: Seven Week Small Group Series led by Pastor Amy Lewis & Lois Stovall. Perhaps you are a person looking for a place to connect with others as a visitor, new member, or a long time member wanting a chance to focus energy in a different way. We all know that God has given us each gifts, Yes! But what gifts? And how are they reflected? While you may know something you can do well, you may want to discern what gifts bring you energy and feed your soul. This class is a way to explore how God works with us to understand our gifts and to discern which of our gifts we're called on to express at this point in our lives.
Two small groups of twelve are forming. There will be Bible study, prayer, and emphasis on spiritual companionship -- with no pressure to share, but a welcoming invitation to do so. You may choose either a day or evening series:Monday Evenings from 6:30 -- 8:30 p.m., March 19th -- April 30th
OR
Wednesday Mornings from 10:00 --11:45 a.m., March 14th -- April 25thIf you’re able, please join us in one of these small groups as we continue to unfold, experience and affirm spiritual growth at CCC and beyond. Sign up on the CCC lobby bulletin board or contact Lois Stovall, friend of CCC, at lois@congregationsalive.com or Pastor Amy Lewis at amy@cccsilverspring.org. If you’re interested but the times do not work for you this time, please let us know for future scheduling possibilities.
For more information, please contact Pastor Amy Lewis.
Holy Week Schedule of Worship Services
Palm/Passion Sunday, April 1st
Regularly Scheduled Sunday Worship Services at 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. - Sanctuary. Music by the Chapel Choir (K-5), the Chancel Choir and Intergenerational Orchestra. (Nursery care available; no Church School).
Maundy Thursday, April 5th
Traditional Tenebrae Service of Worship at 7:30 p.m. - Sanctuary Music, Spoken Meditation, Communion, Scripture and the Extinguishing of Lights.
Good Friday, April 6th
Good Friday Vigil from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. – The Sanctuary will be open for silent prayer with guided meditations.
7:30 p.m. Choral Tenebrae Service at Woodside United Methodist Church (8900 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring), with an ecumenical choir directed by Dr. Nae Pearson. Congregational hymns and choral selections appropriate for Good Friday with portions of Mozart’s Requiem and Dubois’ Seven Last Words of Christ. All are welcome.
Easter Sunday, April 8th
Worship Services at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary
Christ Is Risen! He Is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!
Celebrate the resurrection with the proclamation of the Word:9:00 a.m. Worship Service features contemporary choral music with hymns played by the Intergenerational Orchestra, sung by the congregation with the Chapel and Chancel Choirs.
11:00 a.m. Worship Service features festive hymns, choral anthems and service music by the Chancel Choir and CCC Brass Ensemble.
(Please note the change of time for the second service.
Nursery care available; no Church School).
CCC Calendar
