Ash Wednesday
Wednesday, Feb. 14 at 12, 5:30 and 7 p.m.
Lent falls early on the calendar this year, with Ash Wednesday on Feb. 14. We’ll have worship services at 12 noon, 5:30 and 7 p.m., with Holy Communion and the Imposition of Ashes. The 7 p.m. service will be livestreamed.
If you will not be able to worship with us in person on Ash Wednesday, we are making available containers of ashes for you to use as you watch the service online. The ashes may be picked up in advance in the atrium, inside Door A.
Lenten Wednesdays
Feb. 21, 28, March 6, 13, and 20
Join us for Soup Suppers at 5:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall during Lent. This year we will offer these meals by free-will offering, which you may give as you enter Fellowship Hall, or use the QR code at the tables when you are seated.
During Lent, we will be reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s book, Life Together. After the Wednesday Soup Supper, we’ll gather to worship at 7 p.m. using the Holden Evening Prayer service. Our pastors will be reflecting on the following themes discussed in Bonhoeffer’s book:
- Feb. 21—Community
- Feb. 28—The Day Together
- March 6—The Day Alone
- March 13—Service
- March 20—Confession and the Lord’s Supper
On those Wednesday evenings, we will have questions and topics at the soup supper tables that you can discuss with others before worship.
Life Together, by Dietrick Bonhoeffer
Bonhoeffer’s book, Life Together, is available for purchase at St. Philip the Deacon for $10 at the hospitality desk in the atrium. If you like to read electronically, we found this link to a downloadable PDF of the book.
Lenten Practice Calendar
You can download a PDF of the Parish Nurse’s Lenten Practice Calendar, which focuses on increasing kindness and wellness in your life during the Lenten season.
Children and Adults: Join a
Choir at St. Philip the Deacon!
Did you know that St. Philip the Deacon has four choral ensembles that sing during worship services throughout the program year? Adults and children as young as Kindergarten are welcome to sing in choir—regardless of experience! Studies demonstrate that singing in choir has physiological benefits, including reduced stress hormones and alleviated anxiety. Singing in worship has the added benefit of providing spiritual growth and musical leadership for our faith community. St. Philip the Deacon is blessed with a rich, musical life—one that can continue to be richly sustained through participation in musical ensembles like choir.
Questions? Contact Sam Grace, sgrace@spdlc.org.
Rehearsal Times this Fall:
- Dyanmic Deacons (K–2nd grade)—Tuesdays, 5–5:30 p.m., beginning Sept. 12
- Chancel Choir (3rd–5th grade)—Tuesdays, 5:35–6:05 p.m., beginning Sept. 12
- SPD Singers (6th–12th grade)—Wednesdays, 5:15–5:55 p.m., beginning Sept. 13
- Sanctuary Choir (adults)—Wednesdays, 7–8:30 p.m., beginning Sept. 6
Rite of Confirmation: Affirming Our Faith
The Rite of Confirmation is administered to 9th grade students who have completed the confirmation program at St. Philip the Deacon. Each student will be prayed for, participate in special services and publicly affirm their faith.
The Rite of Confirmation consists of four events:
1. Student Rehearsal/Parent Meeting
The students meet for rehearsal and have their photos taken. During that time the parents will meet for an overview of upcoming confirmation related events.
2. The Blessing of the Confirmands
The Blessing of the confirmands takes place the weekend prior to the service of Confirmation on the Baptism of Jesus weekend during worship. Students attend their normal worship service. The students are blessed and prayed for in anticipation of their upcoming step of faith.
3. The Celebration of Passage
The Celebration of Passage is a special service that is just for confirmation students, their parents and prayer partners. It takes place at church during the week between the Blessing of the confirmands and the Rite of Confirmation. This service is a highlight for many students and families as students are reminded how deeply they are loved.
Parents have the opportunity to choose the prayer partner for their student, if there is someone special in the life of the child—a grandparent, godparent, aunt, uncle, coach, confirmation guide, etc.—they may be asked to be the student’s prayer partner. Otherwise, we have many people within the congregation who would consider it a privilege to be a prayer partner for a confirmation student.
4. Rite of Confirmation Worship Service
This is the official Rite of Confirmation worship service. Families, Godparents and friends are all welcome to gather for this special celebration of our ninth graders as they affirm the faith into which they were baptized.
For more information contact: Amanda Berger, Interim Director of Middle School Ministry at 763-475-7139 or aberger@spdlc.org.
