Season of Lent at Good Shepherd

Sunday Services, 9:30 am
Wednesday Evening Services, 5:30 pom
Lenten Recital Series, 12:15 pm

 “Lord Jesus, You Are Our Song As We Journey” is our Lenten theme for Sunday and Wednesday Evening Services

SUNDAYS IN LENT BEGIN MARCH 9

  • The liturgy used on Sundays is Setting 10 from Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW).
  • A large wood cross, placed in front of the altar, will remain there during Lent.

WEDNESDAY EVENING LENTEN SERVICES BEGIN MARCH 12

  • All are welcome at Lenten Evening services at 5:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary on each of the five Wednesdays in Lent: March 12, 19, 26, and April 2 and 9.
  • Mourning Into Dancing: Prayers for Healing and Wholeness is our liturgy on Wednesday evenings. It is a setting of Psalm 30:2, 11-12, with music by Benjamin Splichal Larson, son of Pastors April and Judd Larson, arrangements by Hans Peterson, and liturgy and prayers by Susan Briehl. 
    • Good Shepherd is only the second pilot for this liturgy.
  • Verses from Lord Jesus, You Shall Be My Song will be sung at each service.
  • Pastor April will lead the services, with Good Shepherd members providing messages on “Theology of the Cross”:
    • March 12: Dr. Wanda Deifelt, Luther College Professor of Religion; Brazilian Lutheran pastor
    • March 19: Dr. David Scott, Ph.D., Religious Studies with a concentration in History of Christianity; Director of Mission Theology and Strategic Planning at the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church
    • March 25: Rev. Melissa Bills, Luther College Pastor and Director of Campus Ministries
    • April 2:  Dr. Martin Klammer, Luther College Professor of English; MA, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
    • April 9:  Rev. Dr. Rolf Svanoe, retired ELCA pastor

SIMPLE SOUP SUPPERS

  • Simple Soup Suppers follow each Wednesday Evening Service at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
  • MENU: soup (including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free), crackers and gluten-free crackers, water, and milk. Each week a different Flock is responsible for the supper. The schedule:
    • March 12 – Orange Flock
    • March 19 – Yellow Flock
    • March 26 – Green Flock
    • April 2 – Blue Flock
    • April 9 – Purple Flock

YOUTH LENTEN PROJECT SUPPORTS LUTHERAN SERVICES IN IOWA

  • This year’s Lenten Project, sponsored by Good Shepherd youth, will raise funds for Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI). The goal is $5,000.
    • Because of the recent targeting of Lutheran aid organizations nationally and within Iowa, students felt it was important to remind the congregation of the important work being done each day by LSI across Iowa.
  • A Lutheran Services of Iowa fact and offering prayer, written by students during Sunday School time throughout Lent, will be presented by youth each Wednesday and Sunday during Lent.
  • Donations for LSI can be placed in a special art piece, created by our younger Sunday School students, at the altar during the Offertory Wednesdays and Sundays through Palm Sunday.
    • If you’d like to write a check, make it to Good Shepherd with Youth Lenten Project on the memo line.

LENTEN RECITAL SERIES BEGINS MARCH 12

  • This year’s 2025 Lenten Recital Series at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church once again features a variety of music on three Wednesdays during Lent, from 12:15-12:45 p.m. in the church sanctuary. All recitals are free and open to the public.
    • The series kicks off on March 12, featuring Luther College students Olivia Williams, Tara Rajanesan, Cam Moll, and Aaron Claxton in the organ studio of Alexander Meszler, Luther College organist.
    • On March 19, Anishka Vogel, Luther College senior music major and Good Shepherd Music Intern, will perform a solo violin recital.
    • On March 26, enjoy meditative music featuring Craig Hultgren, cello and Brooke Joyce, piano and organ.