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 2008
Feb. 5, 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.
Feb. 7-April 20, 2-4 p.m. each Thursday or Feb. 10-April 13, 6-8 p.m. each Sunday: LENTEN ADULT STUDY: 3:16 by Max Lucado. Join in the powerful 10-week study of this book. Books and study guides are $15 and can be ordered through Penny Rasnake in the Office of Christian Education. Registration forms available in Information Center.
Feb. 10, Noon: POTLUCK LUNCHEON – Bring a main dish and a dessert. We’ll have a “Hearts for Haiti” focus, including some Haitian food dishes, to highlight our mission work there. 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Monthly Kid’s Club: 3rd-6thgraders have Fitness Fun to shake off wintertime blahs.
Feb. 10, 24; March 9, 30; April 13: 6-8 p.m.: SEEKING JUSTICE IN HEALTH CARE — Join us for a study that will help us think critically about the moral, medical and economic imperatives for health care reform. Sponsored by Faith Meets Life Sunday School class.
Feb. 12, 19, 26 and March 4, 11, 6:30-7 a.m.: TUESDAY MORNING PRAYER – Join us in the sanctuary for 30 minutes of prayer, with the first 15 minutes guided by our staff Pastor Steve Proctor, Penny Rasnake and Rob Ulmer and the last 15 minutes for your personal reflection. Coffee and bagels will be available as you leave for work or home.
Feb. 13, 20 and 27 and March 5, 12 and 19; 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.: SOUP, SONG & STORY - Soup will be served beginning at 6 p.m., followed by song and story. This favorite Good Shepherd Lenten tradition is a wonderful fellowship time for the whole family (activity tables provided for children). This year our theme is “Pray Without Ceasing,” as we hear testimony of what prayer means in some of our individual church members’ lives, learn about prayer traditions in the history of the church and practice the art of praying with each other.
Feb. 16, 6 p.m.: VALENTINE’S DAY DINNER/MUSIC– This special lasagna dinner will be followed at 7:15 p.m. by entertainment by Rick and Laura Novak and our Chancel Choir. Proceeds will support local and international missions. $50 per couple. First 50 couples to RSVP to church office at (703) 281-3987 will receive a dozen roses.
Feb. 17: PENNY DRIVE FOR HEIFER INTERNATIONAL: We’ll join with other churches in the area to collect loose change during worship services with the goal to “fill the ark” with $5,000, which allows Heifer to donate two of each of their available animals to people around the world.
Feb. 22-23: 30 HOUR FAMINE - Make a donation to support a teen who is participating in World Vision’s 17th annual event. During the 30 hours, teens will BE HUNGRY – the theme for this year’s Famine — by going without food (consuming only liquids) for 30 hours to experience what the poorest children and families face every day. Our youth are aiming to collect $5,000 to support World Vision’s efforts to combat hunger around the world. Offer prayer support for our youth by signing the Prayer Wheel placed in the narthex of the church. Prayer time slots are available from noon on Feb. 22 through 6 p.m. Feb. 23. On Sunday, Feb. 24, the youth will lead Sunday worship and invite the congregation to go without breakfast before coming to church.
Feb. 24, 5:30 p.m.: FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT - Come bring your family to enjoy dinner, then a great family-oriented movie in the Fellowship Hall.
March 8, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.: SPAGHETTI DINNER - Come enjoy good food and support outreach ministries of The Church of the Good Shepherd.
March 9, Noon: POTLUCK LUNCHEON — Bring a main dish and a dessert, and stay for food and fun. 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Monthly Kid’s Club: 3rd-6thgraders will decorate Easter baskets and have an egg hunt.
March 23, 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 and music. Easter Egg hunts for all age groups of children and youth will follow.
Special Lent and Holy Week Services, 2008
Lent is a time to prepare our hearts and minds to receive the Easter message. Pastor Steve Proctor will lead us in worship. A nursery is provided for all services, except for the Prayer Vigil and Easter Sunrise Service
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Feb. 6, 7:30 p.m.
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Ash Wednesday – A simple and profound worship experience that will include the imposition of ashes. Psalm 51:1-17; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 |
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Feb. 10, 8:30 & 11 a.m.
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1st Sunday in Lent – Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7; Matthew 4:1-11 |
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Feb. 17, 8:30 & 11 a.m.
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2nd Sunday in Lent, Communion – Genesis 12:1-4a; John 3:1-17 |
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Feb. 24, 8:30 & 11 a.m.
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3rd Sunday in Lent, Youth-Led Worship – Exodus 17:1-7; John 4:5-42 |
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March 2, Communion 8:30 & 11 a.m.
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4th Sunday in Lent – 1 Samuel 16:1-13; John 9:1-41 |
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March 9, 8:30 & 11 a.m.
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5th Sunday in Lent – - Ezekiel 37:1-14; John 11:1-45 |
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March 16, 8:30 & 11 a.m.
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Psalm Sunday, Communion – Begin Holy Week by picking up a palm cross and remembering the story of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Isaiah 50: 4-9a; Matthew 21:1-11 |
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March 20 , 7:30 p.m.
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Maundy Thursday – A special service of Holy Communion, recalling the Last Supper when Christ transformed the traditional Passover seder into the key sacrament of the Christian tradition. |
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March 21, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
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Good Friday - Prayer Vigil – Silent meditation in the Sanctuary. A guide for your prayers is provided |
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March 21, 7:30 p.m.
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Good Friday - Worship Service – Come hear the story, feel the grief and help each other carry the tragedy of the day. |
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March 23, 6:00 a.m.
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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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March 23, 9:45-10:45 a.m.
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Annual Easter Brunch – Children, youth and adults are invited to celebrate Easter with a buffet brunch in the Fellowship Hall. |
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March 23, 8:30 & 11:00 a.m.
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Easter Worship Services – Come, celebrate the resurrection, as we proclaim the good news in Word and with special music. Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-18 |
A nursery is provided for all services, except for
the Prayer Vigil and
Easter Sunrise Service.