Welcome to St. John’s in Jim Thorpe

We are in Lent. In many ways going through Lent is like going on a journey.  That’s especially true this year because our mid-week Soup and Scripture is making use of the video series, The Way (Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus) by Adam Hamilton.  In it he takes us to the Jordan River, where Jesus was baptized, and to the wilderness where Jesus was tempted.  We’ll see the ruins of ancient Capernaum, where Jesus healed the sick, and we’ll ascend the mountain where he gave his famous sermon.  We will travel across the Sea of Galilee, where he calmed the winds and the waves. We will visit the last remaining community of the Samaritans in the world.  Then, we’ll visit Jerusalem, where Jesus spent his final days.

 So, in addition to being fed physically with a light supper (usually homemade soup, sandwiches, and dessert) we will be fed spiritually as we look at Jesus’ earthly ministry and discuss its meaning for us today.

I had the privilege of going to Pastor Hamilton’s church, The Church of the Resurrection, in Leawood, Kansas back in 2001, and I was very impressed by what he had done there.

Our sessions begin at 6:00 pm on Wednesdays. They will last under two hours.  The last session will be held on March 25th. We meet in the Good Shepherd Room.

Our Lenten journey began with the Ash Wednesday service on February 18th at 7:00 pm.  It included the Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion.

We are being helped on our Lenten journey with the Lenten devotional booklets entitled, Love Outpoured, which is based on the Gospel of John.  Their format is similar to the Advent and Lent devotionals we have used recently.

I trust it goes without saying that we are also being aided in our Lenten journey by our Sunday worship services, and although we eliminate the Alleluias in Lent, we will observe joy Sunday with the rose paraments and vestments in the middle of Lent on March 15th

Holy Week begins Sunday, March 29th with Palm/Passion Sunday with palms and palm crosses at our 10:30 am service.  Then, at 4:00 pm our own Bach and Handel Chorale under the direction of Maestro Perry will present a concert based on The Seven Last Words of Christ by Theodore Dubois.  A free will offering will be received.

Of course, Holy Week continues with the 7:00 pm Maundy Thursday service of Holy Communion and the traditional stripping of the altar, and the Good Friday Service at 2:00 pm, with The Bidding Prayer and The Procession of the Cross.  This service is also broadcast on radio station WLSH1410.

Finally, we arrive at the end and goal of our Lenten journey with the celebration of Easter and the return of the Alleluias on Sunday, April 5th, at our 10:30 am service of Holy Communion.

I hope you’ll join me on our journey.

Blessings, 

Pastor Bill