During this past year, due to Covid restrictions, many of us had to re-examine what was necessary and needed in our lives\u2014this included surroundings, activities and circles of relationship. We\u2019ve experienced both deep grief and invitations to new spaces and use of time, and the releasing of what was no longer helpful. Our Lenten scriptures contain stories, songs and promises that call us to identify what is essential, who we are at our core, and what God does (and doesn\u2019t) ask of us. The call to go deeper can be frightening or overwhelming when we feel we are not ready and do not know what we will find. We keep much of our pain in our depths. But the theme \u201cDeep calls to deep\u201d (Psalm 42:7) is a call for us to hear God in those places we cannot plan for and control. The reassurance for us is that, along with that challenge, we also hear the same words of love spoken that Jesus heard at his baptism: \u201cYou are my Beloved; with you I am well pleased.\u201d Let this knowledge dwell deeply in us throughout Lent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Weekly themes, scriptures and images<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The visual themes draw our attention to different parts of the natural world. We hope these images can be one entry point in our worship into reflection on ecological stewardship. The land, water, and sky are at the core of the survival of all creation. How do they call out to us from the depth of their need? (more below)
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Confession<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Confession is telling the truth. We confess what we have done, what we believe, what we feel, and what we fear. We confess our need for restoration. True confession is a deep dive, sometimes into truths we haven\u2019t yet expressed or have a hard time bringing to the surface.
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Ritual of Response<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In preparation, gather six stones, which will represent your prayers for this season. Households can fill a bowl or glass with them at home, while the worship leader, each Sunday, will do the ritual during the service: in response to the ways we are being called, we will remove a stone from the vessel. Week to week, we will watch the vessel empty, as we dig deeper for what is essential. You may use a marker to write on the stone either the calling word of the day (relationship, commitment, etc.) or a personal response to the given weekly questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Music and Visual Displays<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ve chosen to listen to \u201cYou Are All We Need\u201d each Sunday as an affirmation that God faithfully walks alongside us at all times, in all places, through all things. This will be an opportunity for us to spend time in contemplative space each Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Going Deeper<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Consider what might help you go deeper with God and with one another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Into Scripture:<\/strong> engage with the Scripture texts throughout the week, such as reading, practicing lectio divina or guided meditations, writing\/ creating artistic responses, and sharing those creations with each other. For ideas contact you worship committee to forward you the resource document.<\/li>
- Into Silence: <\/strong>As we dwell on what we find to be most essential, deep at our core, bravely embrace silence in worship and prayer, not filling every transition, not narrating every thought. Lengthen your capacity for silent listening prayer.<\/li>
- Into the Week:<\/strong> Lent is a good time to encourage ourselves to take on a new spiritual practice at home<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/calgarytmc.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/2021-Lent-HeavenlyMother-scaled-1-1024x714.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nLent 1 February 21, 2021<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Deep in the sea: Called to deep relationship<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Genesis 9:8-17; Mark 1:9-15; Psalm 25:1-10; 1 Peter 3:18-22<\/em>
The voice of God pierces the deep, calling us to deep relationship. With the floodwaters behind us and the waters of baptism holding us, our relationship with God establishes our identity with other people and the world we live in.
<\/p>\n\n\n\nLent 2 February 28, 2021<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Deep in the woods: Called to deep commitment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Mark 8:31-38; Romans 4:13-25; Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16; Psalm 22:23-31<\/em>
We are transformed by God as we follow God\u2019s voice along the path of life, a voice calling us to deep commitment. Even when our path leads deep into unfamiliar woods, as we lose ourselves, we are found.
<\/p>\n\n\n\nLent 3 March 7, 2021<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Deep in the changing sky: Called to deep wisdom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
John 2:13-22; Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25<\/em>
In the patterns and glory of God\u2019s creation, and in God\u2019s commandments and promises, we are called to obtain deep wisdom. God\u2019s wisdom undermines our assumptions and takes us deeper than our efforts can lead us.
<\/p>\n\n\n\nLent 4 March 14, 2021<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Deep in the wilderness: Called to deep healing
<\/h3>\n\n\n\nNumbers 21:4-9; John 3:14-21; Ephesians 2:1-10; Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22<\/em>
The wilderness confronts us with our vulnerability and exposes our wounds and our needs. We are called to deep healing by trusting in God, who calls us in love.
<\/p>\n\n\n\nLent 5 March 21, 2021 Joint MCA service<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Deep in the earth: Called to deep growth<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Jeremiah 31:31-34; John 12:20-33; Psalm 51:1-12; Hebrews 5:5-10<\/em>
Like a seed that falls deep into the dark, rich earth, we are called to deep growth, releasing our attachments that prevent us from bearing and offering fruit.
<\/p>\n\n\n\nLent 6 Palm Sunday March 28, 2021<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Deep in the current: Called to deep hope<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29; John 12:12-16; Philippians 2:5-11<\/em>
As we follow Jesus into Holy Week, we sense the rush of the crowds and seek the deep, steady current of God\u2019s steadfast love, calling us to deep hope in the One who comes in the name of the Lord.
<\/p>\n\n\n\nEaster April 4, 2021<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Deep in the feast: Called to deep living<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Isaiah 25:6-9; John 20:1-18; Acts 10:34-43; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24<\/em>
We have seen the Lord! A rich feast has been prepared for all peoples on the mountain of God. Like Mary, Jesus calls us each by name into abundant life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
~From the Worship Committee~ DEEP CALLS TO DEEP (summarized from our Leader resources) During this past year, due to Covid restrictions, many of us had to re-examine what was necessary and needed in our lives\u2014this included surroundings, activities and circles of relationship. We\u2019ve experienced both deep grief and invitations to new spaces and use of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":459,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[12,13],"class_list":["post-458","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-announcements","tag-lent-2021","tag-trinity-mennonite-church-lent"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/calgarytmc.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/2021-Lent-Deep-Calls-to-Deep.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/calgarytmc.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/458","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/calgarytmc.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/calgarytmc.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/calgarytmc.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/calgarytmc.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=458"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/calgarytmc.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/458\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":470,"href":"https:\/\/calgarytmc.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/458\/revisions\/470"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/calgarytmc.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/459"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/calgarytmc.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=458"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/calgarytmc.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=458"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/calgarytmc.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=458"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
- Into Silence: <\/strong>As we dwell on what we find to be most essential, deep at our core, bravely embrace silence in worship and prayer, not filling every transition, not narrating every thought. Lengthen your capacity for silent listening prayer.<\/li>