The Gloria Dei community gathers for special worship services on Ash Wednesday, every Wednesday evening during Lent, and during Holy Week.
In addition to these worship services, Gloria Dei invites children and young families to Children’s Experiences crafted uniquely for them. The Children’s Experiences are 30 minutes in length, they are engaging and interactive, full of movement and song. Make it a family tradition to bring your toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary school children to these worship experiences! Doing this allows your little ones to grow up experiencing the important stories of Jesus’ life and death, and the rituals our faith community celebrates every year to strengthen and renew our faith.
Lent 2018
Lent is the 40–day period of repentance and renewal preceding Easter. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends with the Easter service, February 14 – April 1, 2018. Lent is a special time for confession and prayer, a time to renew and strengthen our faith as we reflect on Jesus’ journey to the cross and victory over death.
A children’s Lenten activity calendar is distributed to all Sunday School children before the beginning of Lent, to help families practice Lent together at home.
Ash Wednesday, February 14, 2018
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, when we gather to remember our mortality and intentionally begin a season of turning our hearts to God and seek God’s guidance in our life.
Children’s Ash Wednesday Experience, 5:00 pm in the church sanctuary.
Children and families confess what we have done to hurt others, or what we have not done to help others. We ask for God’s forgiveness for not loving God with our whole heart, and not loving others as ourselves. We receive ashes in the sign of the cross on our foreheads to remind us of our baptism and help us intentionally enter into Lent.
Holy Week, March 25 – April 1, 2018
Holy Week is the time we remember Jesus’ last week on earth, beginning with Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and ending with Jesus’ resurrection on Easter. This is the heart of Lent, the time of Jesus’ movement to the cross where he showed that his love is stronger than death. And finally after the 40 days of Lent, we rejoice in the glorious new dawn of Easter. Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Palm Sunday, March 25, 2018
On Palm Sunday we remember Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, the city where five days later he was crucified. People lined the way, waving palm branches and shouting, ““Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Congregational Palm Sunday Procession in the Neighborhood
Pick up children from Sunday School at 10:10 am. We process in the neighborhood and return to church by 10:45, processing directly into worship.
Children and families are invited to join the entire congregation as we carry palms and signs to share the message of Jesus with our nearest neighbors. We process several blocks down Snelling Avenue proclaiming that the Kingdom of God is here; justice and mercy, peace and love really do win! This counter-cultural message brings hope and calls us to work for God’s will on earth as in heaven!
Bring strollers for the youngest ones!
In case of inclement weather, other plans will be made.
Maundy Thursday, March 29, 2018
On Maundy Thursday we remember Jesus’ last meal with his disciples. At this meal Jesus washed the feet of his dearest friends to show them that the life of his followers was one of humble service. Jesus taught us to love one another as he loved us. Then he shared bread and wine, telling them this was his body and blood, given for forgiveness of sins.
Children’s Maundy Thursday Experience, 5:00 pm in the church sanctuary
Children and families learn about Jesus’ foot washing and last meal, and participate in these sacred rituals.
Good Friday, March 30, 2018
On Good Friday we remember the day that Jesus was arrested, condemned to death, and died on the cross. We gather at the foot of the cross to wonder at the depth of Jesus’ love!
Children’s Good Friday Experience, 5:00 pm in the church sanctuary
Children and families learn about Jesus’ last day on earth, how he loved his friends, and gave his life for us all. Children will learn the meaning of the cross in ways that are developmentally appropriate.
Holy Saturday. March 31, 2018
On Holy Saturday we remember the time that Jesus lay in the tomb, when his dearest friends knew Jesus was dead and thought all was lost. This is the time that all the earth waits breathlessly for God’s great surprise!
Children’s Holy Saturday Experience, 5:00 pm in Room 100
Children and families gather to wake up the Alleluia banner that was tucked away on Ash Wednesday. We help get ready for the celebration of Easter the next morning or later that night at the Easter Vigil. We all participate in the excitement of this special night and prepare for the wonder of Easter morning!
Easter Day, April 1, 2018
On Easter Day we celebrate the risen Jesus! Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Easter Morning Festival Worship, 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 a.m. in the church sanctuary
The entire congregation comes together to celebrate the Good News of Easter with flowers, trumpets, choir music, and lots of happy shouting to show the joy we feel in our hearts!
