The Season of Lent
Lent comprises the 40 weekdays between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday and is traditionally a time of prayer and spiritual preparation. It is the season during which the church stops to remember and respond to the atoning death of Christ. We examine our lives and our selves as we prepare to celebrate the gift of Easter Sunday, the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Ash Wednesday Service
February 22, Sanctuary, 7:30pm
The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and we will hold a worship service in the sanctuary that evening. Those who are interested may come forward to receive the imposition of ashes, and the service will close with the celebration of Holy Communion.

Lenten Resources
We hope these resources will help enrich your Lenten journey this season. Lenten guides for devotional use by adults and children are available in the narthex.

Reflections and Readings for Lent
February 22-April 7, 2012
The adult devotional contains daily readings from the Common Lectionary. In addition to the daily readings, questions to use for reflection each week are also provided. The devotional will help guide us through this season as we reflect on our lives and our relationship with our gracious God, individually at home and yet collectively as a community of faith each day. This devotional is also available online (click here).

A Lenten Pilgrimage
This adult devotional, by Ruth Huizenga Everhart, was published by Presbyterians Today and is available in the narthex. The illustrations are photos taken in and around Jerusalem.

For Youth & Adults
An online daily devotional, sponsored by the Presbyterian Church(USA), The Episcopal Church, and The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship is also available:
http://www.d365.org/todaysdevotion/

For Children
Printed Lenten devotionals for children have also been prepared. The children will receive their copies during the Sunday school gathering on February 19. If you need extra copies, you'll find them in the narthex. Feel free to take one to share with a friend or family member.

Women's Lenten Study
February 22-March 28, Noon, Room 206
Women will gather on Wednesdays at noon during Lent to discuss some of the essays in Bread and Wine:  Readings for Lent and Easter. The brief essays are from Christian writers such as Kathleen Norris, Oswald Chambers, Thomas Merton, and Barbara Brown Taylor. If you're free at noon, please join the discussion. Copies of the book will be available.

Service for Wholeness
March 27, Sanctuary, 6:00pm
This informal service, consisting of a short meditation from the minister, responsive reading, and silent prayer, is a time of waiting in faith upon God. Prayers of thanksgiving, intercession, and supplication are offered up either silently or aloud. The service concludes with the celebration of Holy Communion.

Holy Week at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church

Passion/Palm Sunday
April 1, 2012
The children's choirs will sing at the 10:50am worship service.

Noon Meditations
Monday, April 2, 2012
Sanctuary, Noon-12:30, Lisa Patterson

Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Sanctuary, Noon-12:30, Steve Plunkett

Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Sanctuary, Noon-12:30, Brandon Lewis 
Note: Super Wednesday will be held tonight, beginning with the meal in Fellowship Hall @ 5:30pm.

Maundy Thursday Meal & Service
April 5, 2012
Meal in Fellowship Hall, 5:30pm
Service & Holy Communion, 6:15pm

Service of Tenebrae
Good Friday, April 6, 2012
Sanctuary, 7:00pm

The Service of Tenebrae, dating from the 12th century, commemorates the suffering and death of Christ on the cross. Tenebrae, a Latin word meaning “darkness,” was originally celebrated on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of Holy Week; it symbolizes the darkenss that fell over the earth as Jesus was crucified.

The candles in worship symbolize Christ, the light of the world. We use candles on Christmas Eve to celebrate the coming of the light into the world. The use of candlelight on Good Friday portrays the fading light of the world as Christ was dying.

In ancient times, the term “tenebrae” came into use because the lights (candles) were gradually extinguished in the course of the service, and everyone departed in darkness and silence. Our service is a variation of that ancient practice and begins with numerous lighted candles in the chancel and windows. Then during the Order of Tenebrae, as the story of the crucifixion is read and hymns and anthems are sung, the candles and lights are gradually extinguished, signifying that death seems to triumph over Christ. We leave the service, however, anticipating the joy of the resurrection of the Lord on Easter morning.

The solemnity of this service is even more meaningful when the choir and ministers enter the sanctuary in silent procession. After the candles are extinguished at the conclusion of the service, the congregation is asked to leave the church in silence.

EASTER Sunday
April 8, 2012
Morning Worship Services at 8:30am & 10:50am
Full Choir & Brass at both services
One Great Hour of Sharing offering is received
Sunday School for All Ages @ 9:30am

Sunday Evening Worship @ 6:15pm
with SEW 6:15 Band

The Lord is risen, he is risen indeed! Alleluia!