How does the Moravian Church celebrate Lent? Peace Moravian will celebrate Lent in multiple ways.
Holy Communion will be celebrated on Ash Wednesday (February 22nd) and ashes will be placed on participants’ foreheads (optional) as a sign of repentance and humility.
In addition, Sunday School classes and Wednesday evening “Study and Stew” will focus on lesson teaching about Lent, Holy Week and Easter.
Worship: The Moravian Church has two liturgies for the celebration of Lent in which they are alternately read throughout the five week period. The sixth Sunday, the liturgy for Advent and Palm Sunday is read.
Holy Week remembrance includes a series of worship services each night of the week. (see Holy Week)
What is Holy Week? Holy Week is the week just prior to Easter. Scriptures record Jesus’ actions throughout the week as it led to his trial and crucification. Services will be held each night at Peace Moravian including a time for Kid’s Club. The Sunday night service will be a lovefeast to celebrate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem riding on a donkey and people singing “hosanna” to their king. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday readings from the Holy Week manual (available at the church) will be read to recall the sequence of events of Jesus’ last week before the crucification. Thursday’s night service will be Holy Communion in remembrance of Jesus gathering with his disciples for this last meal before going to the garden and being arrested. This Thursday is called Maundy Thursday – Maundy meaning to command – Jesus commanded to “do this in remembrance.”
HOLY WEEK 2012
Sunday, April 1st . Worship… Hosanna is sung during the liturgy. 7:00 pm Lovefeast
Monday – April 2nd, Tuesday – April 3rd, Wednesday – April 4th, Friday – April 6 … 7pm reading services, Thursday – April 5th..Holy Communion.
Easter Morning at Peace – Easter 2012 is April 8th. The day dawns with members gathered on the lawn for a Sunrise Service, 6:50 am. Mary Magdalene met Jesus in the garden at the tomb early on the first day of the week. Moravians have celebrated Easter morning with a sunrise service since 1732. The liturgy prayed at this service is said to express the statement of faith for the Moravian Church.
Community Breakfast - Following the Sunrise Service a potluck breakfast will be shared in the fellowship hall.
Flowering of the Cross - As you enter the sanctuary bring a flower from your yard or use one provided to mark the cross as a sign of your salvation in Jesus Christ.
Easter Morning Worship will take place at 11:00 am.
Christian Education
How can you be part of Peace Moravian Church? By participation and prayer you can grow in faith and add to the community.
Consider your time…now, can you come to worship and participate in at least one other activity for your spiritual development? Several opportunities are listed below. Come join the church family in study and fellowship.
Adult Sunday school
Snyder Class – Bible Study
Good Samaritan Class
Children & Youth Classes
Nursery & Preschool
Elementary
Youth
Bible Study at Brookdale Assisted Living
Meets at 10:00 am each Monday at the Brookdale Assisted Living, 5515 Rea Road.
Stephen Ministry at Peace
Christ Caring for People through People
Are you hurting? Do you grieve for lost youth or family or your own health? Stephen Ministry is designed to give you support in your time of crisis. Caring, distinctively Christian care is yours for the asking. In time of crisis you soon reach a cross roads where a critical choice is made. You can either resort to what may well have been a failing mode of response in the past: denial – substance dependency – anger – self loathing – or you can choose the road that leads to health and wholeness: your own Stephen Minister can help you along that road.
What exactly is the Stephen Ministry? Stephen Ministry is Christ caring for people through people. The Caregiver’s Compass is a common element in every module of the Stephen Ministry Training Program. The symbol for Jesus Christ at the center of the compass reminds Stephen Ministers that Jesus is the source and power for their caring ministry. Stephen ministers use the four points and the center of the compass to guide their caring ministry and chart their continuing growth as caregivers who are compassionate, full of faith, skilled, trustworthy, and Christ-centered.
Some frequently asked questions:
- Will what I say to my Stephen Minister be kept confidential?
- Absolutely! The cornerstone of the ministry is confidentiality. The Stephen Minister will not divulge your name, or any facts you may share with him/her/ He/She will not even share this information with other Stephen Ministers or their spouses. The only time this confidentiality will be breached is when a criminal act in involved and the divulging of the facts is required by law.
- How long will I have a Stephen Minister?
- As long as you and the Stephen Minister feel that a continued relationship is helpful and meaningful to you. There is no set time limit.
- How are Stephen Ministers assigned?
- An initial interview between you and Rev. Doss or a Stephen Leader, will be held at your convenience. From the information developed at this meeting, your needs will be matched with the known talents and personality of an available Stephen Minister. Men are assigned only to male care receivers; women Ministers are assigned only to female care receivers. While you are free to request a particular Stephen Minister, his/her assignment cannot be guaranteed.The Stephen Minister is assigned to you to provide emotional & spiritual support, encouragement, and empathy. He/She is not a professional psychologist or equipped to provide legal or medical advice. He/She will listen to you – be a non-judgmental friend – and simply “be there” for you in a time of need. A motto of Stephen Ministry is that Stephen Ministers “Show Up”.
- How do I talk to someone about working with a Stephen Minister or training to become a Stephen Minister?
- Call the church office at 704-759-9939. All calls are strictly confidential. Assigning of a Stephen Minister is on an “as available” basis after a personal interview with the care receiver to assure a good match between receiver and giver.
