Lent 2023

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The 40 Days of Lent

A season of special opportunities and experiences for 2023

Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. (Mark 8: 34 NLT)
 
 

Holy Week Worship Services 

 

Maundy Thursday

Thursday, April 6, 7:30 pm, Communion
 
From the Table to the Cross: A Maundy Thursday service of drama and song based on Wangerin’s Living the Passion By Roger E. Van Harn and Walter Wangerin.
 

Good Friday Worship

Friday, April 7, 12:00 noon
 
Moorestown Community Good Friday Worship
The Moorestown Ministerium, a coalition of faith leaders in Moorestown, welcomes all to this ecumenical one-hour service of prayer, scripture, and reflection. It is co-led by clergy from Moorestown churches of many denominations.
This service will be held outdoors, weather permitting, at First Presbyterian Church, 101 Bridgeboro Road, Moorestown. In case of inclement weather we will worship in the church sanctuary.
 

Good Friday Tenebrae Worship

Friday, April 7, 7:30 pm
At 7:30 pm in our sanctuary, we will present our Good Friday Tenebrae Service which moves us from light into dark on the day of the crucifixion. Tenebrae comes from the Latin meaning “darkness” and uses diminishing light by extinguishing candles to symbolize the events from Palm Sunday to Jesus’ burial. The service concludes in darkness and silence. Rev. Wes Allen leads.
 
 

Easter Worship – He Is Risen!

Sunday, April 9
  • Easter Sunrise Service at 6:30 am (Cemetery Cross)
  • Easter 8:30 am Traditional Worship Service (Sanctuary)
  • Easter 11:00 am Contemporary Worship Service (Miller Commons)
NO Adult Spiritual Formation, Children’s Sunday School or Nursery Care.
Easter offerings may be placed in the offering plate, mailed to the church or given securely online at EASTER GIVING
Thank you for your generosity.

JOIN US IN THE GARDEN!

Easter Sunday: Mustard Seed Cooperative Garden Tours
After each of our Easter worship services on Sunday, April 9, the newly constructed Mustard Seed Cooperative Garden will be available for a tour. The garden is located near the labyrinth and fire pit on the cemetery side of our main parking lot. Learn more from Leslie Spencer, one of our Mustard Seed Garden co-leaders, who will be on hand to answer your questions.
 

Wednesday Evening Prayer Service

Wednesdays in March at 6:30 pm (March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29).

Pastors Spencer and Allen will lead a brief in-person Wednesday evening worship at 6:30 pm during Lent. The theme will be “Light in the Darkness,” and the service will include prayers, a personal testimony, music and Lenten reflections of the season.
 
 
 

Special Prayer Time

 

Praying the Bible with Rev. Spencer

Thursdays in Lent, Rev. Stuart Spencer leads a Zoom Lectio Divina from 6:30-7:00 pm on March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30.
 
No sign up needed, just join us via Zoom. 
 
 
Topic: My Meeting Praying the Bible Study
Join Zoom Meeting ID: 821 5587 3927
 
Praying the Bible or Lectio Divina, is an ancient form of contemplative prayer. Lectio Divina or “sacred reading” is a way to pray by using the words of the Bible. In this form of prayer, participants read or listen to a passage of Scripture as if it were speaking directly, personally to them.
 
In faith, we trust that the Holy Spirit will speak to us in the most personal way as we pay attention to God’s Word. This spiritual practice is a form of biblical meditation.
 
For more background on Lectio Divina, visit this page from the Pray as You Go website.
 
 
One resource Pastor Spencer use is the website or app called Pray As You Go. This site offers a daily, guided meditation on a biblical passage using music. Meditations are usually about 12 minutes.  
 
 

Lenten Studies

 

Join a Lenten Study Group

“Why Jesus Crossed the Road”

For Lent 2023, our church-wide book study will be Dr. Bruce Main’s book, “Why Jesus Crossed the Road.” Our hope is that the book will challenge us to get out of our comfort zone and go to the people and places Jesus went.

Groups began meeting the week of Ash Wednesday, February 22.

SIGN UP online or contact Alison Mackey in the church office: (856) 235-1688, Ext. 113 or amackey@fpcmoorestown.org.
For general questions, contact Wes Allen at wallen@fpcmoorestown.org or (856) 235-1688 x 101.
  • SIGN UP for a Small Group on our EVENT PAGE, in the Commons Lobby, or right through your Church Center app.
  • We have a study guide ready for you! You can download it here…  LENTEN STUDY GUIDE

If you are interested in leading a small group please let Wes Allen know OR, if you can think of anyone who may like to lead a group please pass along some names!! Contact Wes at wallen@fpcmoorestown.org or the church office at 856.235.1688, x101.

  • Books are available for purchase at the church ($11) or ONLINE.
 

Special Dates and Offerings    LENT RESOURCE GUIDE

 

Palm Sunday

Sunday, April 2, during both services
 
One Great Hour of Sharing
Typically received during the Season of Lent, this offering for One Great Hour of Sharing supports efforts to relieve hunger through the Presbyterian Hunger Program, promotes development through the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People, and assists in areas of disaster through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.
 
In Sunday School, children will be given One Great Hour of Sharing “fish boxes” as a means for charitable monetary collections.

Palm Sunday Choral Concert

Haydn’s “Theresa” Mass, Sunday, April 2, 7:30 pm

The West Jersey Chamber Symphony and Chorale and FPC Moorestown Adult Choir combine to perform one of the most radiant choral works of the classical era, Haydn’s Theresienmesse. This work showcases the composer at his masterful best.

Tickets are $28, $20 for seniors, and children 18 and under are free. Tickets are available at https://wjcms.org/concerts/ and may also be purchased at the door.

Children’s Easter Celebration

Saturday, April 1, 10:30 am
 
The Children’s Easter Celebration will be Saturday, April 1 from 10:30-11:30 am, and OUTSIDE (weather permitting). Celebrate the joy of Easter with an Egg hunt for children ages 2-10! There is no charge; canned food for the food pantry as an entrance will be welcomed.