At Shepherd, during Lent, we’ll be focusing on the theme “Cultivating and Letting Go.” Lent is a season of spiritual gardening: inviting God to unearth in us what lies fallow, what needs to be tended, and what needs to die for new life to emerge.
To help you cultivate and let go this season, check out these opportunities at Shepherd, and in collaboration with our fellow Faith Together Muscatine ELCA congregations.
Ash Wednesday Worship | March 5, 7:00 p.m.
Our journey into the season of Lent begins with a call to “return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful.” Together in worship we’ll confess our sin, receive God’s forgiveness, practice the imposition of ashes, and partake in the sacrament of communion.
Not able to make it to Shepherd at 7:00p.m.? Gather with others at Zion (513 Sycamore Street) at 5:30 p.m. or at Grace (2107 Cedar Street) at 6:00 p.m.
Cultivating and Letting Go Devotional Materials
To assist you in your own cultivation and letting go this season, consider using one or more of these devotional resources:
- Purple Sanctified Art Devotional – offering a weekly poem and space to journal about what you’re being called to cultivate and let go
- Yellow Supplemental Devotional – including all our lectionary readings, along with questions to ponder as you read the text, and a prayer for each week
- Coloring page – corresponding with the Sanctified Art booklet
In addition to these at-home resources, each week during worship we’ll offer time for you to reflect on where you’re hearing themes of cultivating and letting go in Sundays’ readings.
Easter Flowers | Sign up by Sunday, March 9
Want to help make Easter morning extra special? We are wanting to add 15 plants to decorate our santuary. Cost is $13 per plant. Sign up in the narthex or contact the church office with how many and who you would like the plant in memory/honor of.
Holy Week Worship
Holy Week marks the passion of our Lord, beginning on Palm Sunday and leading us to Easter Sunday.
Palm Sunday | April 13, 9:00 a.m.
Festive worship including a procession of palms and Holy Communion
Maundy Thursday | April 17, 7:00 p.m.
A night to remember Jesus’s mandate to his disciples – to love one another – as we hear the story of Jesus washing his disciples feet and celebrate in the Lord’s Supper
Good Friday | April 18, 7:00 p.m.
A Tenebrae service of darkness that focuses our gaze on Christ’s cross
Easter Vigil | April 19, 4:00 p.m.
Host: New Era Lutheran Church (3455 New Era Road)
Worship that transitions from the darkness of Good Friday to the dawn of Easter. Worship will begin with a campfire outside, and lead into a series of interactive Scripture, a reaffirmation of baptism, and celebration of Holy Communion.
Easter Sunday | April 20, 9:00 a.m.
Festive worship including special music and Holy Communion
Easter Breakfast and Egg Hunt | April 20
Before worshipping our risen Lord, join us for fellowship and fun!
Easter Breakfast | April 20, 8:00 a.m.
Donuts, muffins, yogurt, fruit, juice and coffee
Easter Egg Hunt | April 20, 8:30 a.m.
Outside weather permitting! All kids invited!
Midweek Lenten Worship, Meal, Family Faith Nights | Beginning Wednesday, March 12 @ Zion (513 Sycamore)
Each Wednesday during Lent we will focus on one of the days of Holy Week through the lens of an Old Testament passage.
Worship | 5:30 p.m.
Brief worship including an introduction to our Scripture focus for the evening, song, and prayer.
Meal | 6:00 p.m.
Each week, a congregation from Faith Together Muscatine will sponsor a meal. Freewill donation will go toward Lutheran Services of Iowa.
Family Faith Nights | 6:30 p.m.
Family Faith Nights groups will continue throughout Lent. Kids and youth are welcome to join the lower elementary, upper elementary, and middle school groups. Sojourners will also continue to meet.
If you’re an adult seeking an intentional Lenten faith formation group, sign up in the narthex or contact the church office.
Easter Vigil Worship | Saturday, April 19 @ New Era (3455 New Era Road)
Easter Vigil moves us from the darkness of Good Friday into the joy and celebration of Easter. Worship will begin with a campfire outside (weather permitting), interactive Scriptures, song, prayer, remembrance of baptism, and Holy Communion.
After celebrating the news of Christ’s resurrection, we’ll feast in joy with one another across our congregations with a meal. Buns and meat will be provided; congregations will be asked to help provide either side dishes or deserts. To help plan for food, if you’re eating with us, sign up in the narthex or contact the church office.