Lent & Holy Week

 

Beloved Epworth Community,

​

The last week of Jesus’ life on earth is often described as his “passion.” Opening with his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus’ passion follows him through the last days of his life. The high point of being praised by crowds waving palms descends into his betrayal, arrest and crucifixion. It is a time of reflection and reckoning.

​

Throughout Lent, we will be doing a deep dive into the passion of Christ with a worship series and related events on the theme “Entering the Passion of Jesus: Picturing Yourself in the Story.” The image above is drawn from a Lenten group in which Epworth members embodied each one of Jesus’ disciples in a tableau of Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper painting. Participants remarked on how moving it was to imagine what each disciple and Jesus himself must have been going through.

 

How will you “enter the story?” I invite you to observe a Holy Lent, with new or renewed disciplines, practices, prayer and study. 

​

Grace and peace,

Pastor Kristin Stoneking

 
 

Upcoming Events

  • Word-of-the-Day Challenge
    Feb 17, 12:00 AM PST – Apr 04, 12:00 PM PDT
    Online
    Each day during Lent, we invite you to pause and reflect on the word of the day. Share a post on Facebook, Instagram or email info.epworth@gmail.com with a photo or thought that illustrates how you perceive that word.
    Learn more
  • Entering the Passion of Jesus - Sunday Book Study
    Feb 21, 9:00 AM PST – Mar 28, 10:00 AM PDT
    Zoom
    Small Group for parents of children and youth led by Pastor Kristin. Biblical scholar Amy-Jill Levine offers us “A Beginners Guide to the Holy Week.” Sundays at 9am on Zoom
    Learn more
  • Entering the Passion of Jesus - Thursday Book Study
    Feb 25, 10:00 AM PST – Mar 04, 11:00 AM PST
    Zoom
    Author, professor, and biblical scholar Amy-Jill Levine offers us “A Beginners Guide to the Holy Week,” showing us how the biblical text raises ethical and spiritual questions and how we all face risk in our Christian experience. Thursdays at 10am on Zoom - Small Group open to all!
    Learn more
  • The First Dinner: Ritual of Appreciation and Holy Communion
    Mar 24, 7:30 PM – 8:15 PM PDT
    Zoom
    We take time in the midst of remembering the story of our faith to honor and appreciate first responders, caregivers, and all who offer extraordinary care in our community.
    Learn more
  • The Last Supper: Virtual Dinner and Holy Communion
    Apr 01, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM PDT
    Zoom
    Our journey through Lent continues as we gather (online) to share a meal and retell "the rest of the story."
    Learn more
  • Social Justice Stations of the Cross Walk
    Apr 02, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM PDT
    Epworth United Methodist Church, 1953 Hopkins St, Berkeley, CA 94707, USA
    Good Friday, April 2 at 12-2pm Gather at Epworth UMC on the front porch for a social-distanced walk in our community, considering Jesus’ last days on earth and the brokenness still present.
    Learn more
  • Easter Sunrise Observance
    Sunday, April 4, 2021. Time is TBD
    Location is TBD. Please RSVP for updates.
    Sunday, April 4 Location and Time TBD We gather at sunrise to celebrate the risen Lord!
    Learn more