The English word “Lent” comes from the Anglo–Saxon word lencten, which means “lengthen” and refers to the lengthening days of "spring."
The purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer for Easter through prayer, doing penance, repentance of sins, almsgiving, and self-denial. Historically, Lent began as a period of fasting and preparation for baptism by converts and then became a time for penance (seeking and receiving forgiveness for one’s sins against God and neighbor) by all Christians. The Scripture readings during Lent, until Passion/Palm Sunday, focus primarily on the meaning of baptism and discipleship, in continuity with the season’s original purpose.
Lent is a season of 40 days, not counting Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday (the day before Easter). We do not count Sundays because they are always celebrated as little Easters. Sundays remind us of the spirit of repentance in Lent which is tempered with joyful expectation of the Resurrection. The length of the season is representative of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ's journey into the desert for 40 days.
Be sure to mark your calendar for these activities taking place throughout the Lenten season ...
Jesus gives us the ultimate blueprint on what it means to reach, engage and be hospitable to our neighbors. From our online presence, to the parking lot, to the pews, we must ask ourselves, “How do people know and feel they are welcome here?”
Throughout the Lenten season we’ll be learning how to welcome and engage like Jesus did in the sermon series "Saved You a Seat: Practicing the Hospitality of Jesus" on Sundays at 9AM & 10:30AM in the sanctuary (Door 1), February 18 through Easter on March 31.
Together we will GROW Noblesville First!
Click here to learn about the weekly "Saved You a Seat" Lenten study.
There’s nothing like running late for a meeting, church or dinner and getting the text, “Don’t worry. I saved you a seat.” We no longer worry because there’s a place just for us.
That’s the feeling every person should feel when they come into the church but for many it’s the opposite. How can we model Jesus' radical hospitality that accepted, loved and invited all people with no exceptions? How can we cultivate and share a spirit of hospitality that reaches and engages people so that we make more disciples for the transformation of the world?
These are the questions we will study together as Pastor Nicole Caldwell-Gross teaches our "Saved You a Seat" Lenten Bible Study on Thursday nights from 7-8:30PM in Wesley Hall (Door 7), February 22 through March 21. Each week is a stand-alone lesson so jump in whenever you can.
Childcare will be available upon request.
Click the link below to register. We’ve saved you a seat!
Questions?
Click here to email Anita Walker or call the church office at 317-773-2500.
Enjoy singing? Everyone is invited to sing with the chancel choir on Sundays during Lent, Good Friday, and/or Easter. The choir rehearses at 7:30PM on Wednesdays in the Choir Room (Door 1) and sings in worship each Sunday at 9AM and 10:30AM in the sanctuary. The journey through Lent and Holy Week concludes with singing the Hallelujah Chorus on Easter Sunday morning.
Even if you have to miss a Sunday or two, you are welcome to join the choir for any Sundays that work in your schedule.
Questions?
Contact Music Director Jeff Wright by email or at 317-445-4288.
Or contact Assistant Music Director Kate Baker by email or at 310-570-6071 (note that Kate's area code is 310).
Easter Egg Hunt
Egg-stra, Egg-stra! Enjoy a morning of games, crafts, inflatables, and LOTS of candy at the annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 23 from 10:30AM-noon at Beaver Field just south of the church at 1804 Harrison Street, Noblesville.
Click here to pre-register. Walk-in registrations are also welcome!
Egg hunt times by age:
Infant-PreK: 10:45AM
K-2nd Grade: 11AM
3rd-5th Grade: 11:15AM
In the event of inclement weather, we'll move inside to Celebration Hall (Doors 2&7).
Questions?
Click here to email Pastor Brittney Stephan or call the church office at 317-773-2500.
Palm Sunday
The king is coming! You will not want to miss Palm Sunday on March 24 at both 9:00 and 10:30 worship in the sanctuary (Door 1). The kids will parade through the sanctuary and sing with our chancel choir to celebrate the start of Holy Week.
Kids can practice the song using the link here ... https://beckenhorstpress.com/hosanna-loud-hosanna. Note that while this has a download for purchase, you can still listen for free. (And if your kids don't feel confident about the words ... no worries! There will be cue cards 😉)
Questions?
Click here to email Pastor Amber Good or call/text her at 317-379-2023.
Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday marks the Last Supper that Jesus shared with his disciples. “Maundy” comes from the Latin word mandatum, or commandment, reflecting Jesus’ words, “I give you a new commandment.”
We hope you’ll invite neighbors and friends for the Maundy Thursday Seder and Communion Dinner on March 28 at 7PM in Celebration Hall (Doors 2&7). This will be different from previous services and will include a traditional Jewish seder tasting, followed by a full meal including chicken and noodles, salads, mixed vegetables and cobbler. We’ll close our time together with a guided communion through intinction.
The meal is free but please sign up at the welcome desk or in the church office or call 317-773-2500.
Good Friday Prayer Vigil
Good Friday marks the crucifixion of Jesus and his death on Calvary. The church will mark this day on March 29 with a Good Friday Prayer Vigil from 7AM to 6:30PM in Whitcomb Chapel (Door 1). Sign up on the poster located outside the sanctuary.
Click the link below for a prayer guide or pick one up in the chapel.
Questions?
Call the church office at 317-773-2500.
Good Friday Worship
Come for Good Friday Worship on Friday, March 29 at 7PM in the sanctuary (Door 1) as we observe a contemplative service led by our clergy and chancel choir and prepare our hearts for the resurrection of our savior Jesus Christ.
Easter Sunday
He is risen! Celebrate the miracle of the empty tomb at ...
- 9:00 in Celebration Hall (Doors 2&7) with the chancel choir and orchestra.
- 10:30 in Celebration Hall (Doors 2&7) with the chancel choir and orchestra.
Click the links below to connect to watch on Facebook or YouTube.
Childcare and kids classes will be available at both 9:00 and 10:30. Parents can check their kids in for their classes at the welcome desk inside Doors 2&7 then take their kids preschool and younger to the nursery area. K-5th graders will begin their worship time with their families. After the children's message toward the beginning of the service, the kids will be released to their group leaders.