The Church of the Good Shepherd
What is Lent?
Lent is the 40 days before Easter, not including Sundays. It corresponds to the 40 days
that Jesus spent in the wilderness. Originally it was the time provided for training of
candidates for baptism. In modern times, it has become a period of self-discipline,
spiritual reflection and preparation for Easter. 
Festivities and Activities for 2006
February 25, 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. (includes light dinner) "Approaching Lent" with author/artist Jan Richardson - Join us for this very special creative approach to Lent. Jan Richardson is an author, artist, spiritual director and ordained minister in the United Methodist Church who travels widely as a retreat and workshop leader. She currently serves as visiting artist at First United Methodist Church of Winter Park, Fla. A $10 donation is requested.
February 28, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper - Make plans for you, your family and friends to join us here at the church for a fun time of fellowship. It is the church's tradition to live it up big, to party, to feast the day before Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent. So come out and eat as many pancakes as you can enjoy. There is no charge, although donations will be accepted. Call the church office at (703) 281-3987 to reserve your place at the table.
March 8, 15, 22, 29 and April 5, 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. Soup, Song & Story - Soup will be served beginning at 6 p.m., followed by song and story. A wonderful fellowship time for the whole family, and a favorite Lenten tradition at Good Shepherd.
March 24-25 - 30 Hour Famine - Make a donation to support a teen who is participating in World Vision's 15th annual event. The youth will 30 hours without food to get a taste of what the world's poorest children and families face. All money will support World Vision's efforts to combat hunger around the world.
April 1, 8 a.m. - noon Third Annual Great Potato Drop - Everyone is invited to help bag 45,000 pounds of sweet potatoes to help feed the hungry. The church's Men's Group will provide a pancake breakfast to start the day at 8 a.m. Bring some gloves, an upended bucket to sit on and join for however long you can help. The potatoes, furnished by the Society of St. Andrew, will be distributed to local food pantries.
April 1, 7:30 p.m. MOSAIC HARMONY Dessert Concert - Come hear this multi-faith interracial community choir that draws on the rich heritage of African-American gospel music. The event is a fundraiser to support the 2006 Lakota Mission Team that will travel to South Dakota this summer.
April 2, 9:45-10:45 a.m. Celebration Breakfast for Sunday School Children - This special Sunday School event will feature an Easter Egg Hunt for pre-kindergarten through 4th grade as well as special breakfast.
April 16, 9:45-10:45 a.m. Annual Easter Brunch - Children, youth and adults are invited to attend the annual Easter brunch between worship services in the Fellowship Hall. We'll gather to enjoy good food, fellowship, music and the release of 100 butterflies to signify the New Life in the risen Lord.
Special Lent and Holy Week Services, 2006
Lent is a time to prepare our hearts and minds to receive the Easter message. Pastor Jim Noland will be doing a special "Journey to the Cross" sermon series to address some of the deep questions he has heard asked. Please support him with your prayers, and he asks that you invite friends who have been wrestling with some of these issues. A nursery is provided for all services, except for the Prayer Vigil and Easter Sunrise Service
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March 1, 7:30 p.m.
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Ash Wednesday – A simple and profound worship experience that will include the imposition of ashes. |
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March 5, 8:30 & 11:00am
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1st Sunday in Lent, Communion – Genesis 9:8-7; Mark 1:9-15 Sermon: "A New Beginning" |
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March 12, 8:30 & 11:00am
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2nd Sunday in Lent – The Rev. Chris Suerdick will be our Guest Preacher. Chris is the program coordinator for the Alexandria District, United Methodist Church. Jim will be away on a confirmation class retreat. |
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March 19, 8:30 & 11:00am
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3rd Sunday in Lent – Genesis 3:1-7; John 3:16-21 Sermon: "Why Evil?" |
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March 26, 8:30 & 11:00am
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4th Sunday in Lent – Exodus 20:1-17; John 14:1-7 Sermon: "Are All Religions the Same?" |
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April 2, 8:30 & 11:00am
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5th Sunday in Lent, Communion – - Jeremiah 31:31-34; John 12:20-33 Sermon: "A New Covenant" |
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April 9, 8:30 & 11:00am
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6th Sunday in Lent - Psalm Sunday: – Begin Holy Week by picking up a palm cross and remembering the story of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Mark 11:1-11; Philippians 2:5-11 Sermon: "Does Life Have a Purpose?" |
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April 13, 8:30 & 11:00am
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Maundy Thursday – A special service of Holy Communion and a seder, recalling the Last Supper when Christ transformed the traditional Passover seder into the key sacrament of the Christian tradition. |
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April 14, 4:00 - 7:00pm
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Good Friday - Prayer Vigil – Silent meditation in the Sanctuary. A guide for your prayers is provided |
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April 14, 7:30pm
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Good Friday – Come hear the story, feel the grief and help each other carry the tragedy of the day. |
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April 16, 6:00am
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Easter Sunrise Service – Greet the Easter dawn as we begin the joy of Easter in our outdoor worship area. Dress warmly and bring a flashlight |
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April 16, 8:30 & 11:00am
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Easter Worship Services – Come, celebrate the resurrection, as we proclaim the good news in Word and with special music. First Corinthians 15:1-11; John 20:1-18 Sermon: "Did Jesus Really Rise From the Grave?" |
A nursery is provided for all services, except for
the Prayer Vigil and
Easter Sunrise Service.