Midweek Lenten Worship Ideas

[Joel Baranko]

Share here ideas for midweek worship.

[Joel Baranko]

We'll be using some of Rob Bell's "Nooma" videos during a 30 minute Wed. evening worship followed by soup. If you haven't seen any of his stuff, I cannot say strongly enough how good they are both in artistry and theology. "nooma.org" The 12 - 14 minutes videos are 10 bucks a piece. Rain, Bullhorn, Breathe, Flame are some of my favorites.

[Brenda Tibbetts]

Three years ago at Our Savior's in Virginia, we did a Reader's Theater of Mark's entire gospel using "The Message" for the script.

It was a great way to involve adults & kids of all ages in the services. We also chose a devotional booklet (Journeying through Lent with Mark by Greg Weyerich, Augsburg Fortress) for people to to take home. It was a great way for people to immerse themselves in the Mark narrative which tends to get "chopped up" and out of order in the lectionary cycle. It was also a great educational opportunity to explain the "ending" of Mark. We also used "I Love to Tell the Story" for our Lenten theme song. Week 1 was used to introduce people to Mark's gospel. The weekly divisions for the theater readers are:
Wk. 1: Mark chapter 1 - 4:34 (8 readers)
Wk. 2: Mark 4:35-7:37 (10 readers)
Wk. 3: Mark 8-10:31 (5 readers)
Wk. 4: Mark 10:32-13:37 (7 readers)
Wk. 5: Mark 14-16:8 (7 readers)

We had great attendance and it was a meaningful series and works well with Year B. We found that people paid greater attention to the gospel as it was read on Sunday mornings. Always a good thing!

We have also used several other lectionary readings in the Reader's Theater format utilizing "The Message" as it is written in a manner easily adapted for Reader's Theater. Our Jr. Hi & Sr. High kids
love to take part in the Reader's Theater for Sunday worship services as well as Confirmation classes.
It gives an opportunity to discuss different translations, cross reference, etc.

[Brenda Tibbetts]

The Center for Lifelong Learning @ Luther Seminary is offering a 2 day session Mar. 23-24, 2009 in conjunction with the School for Lay Ministry. The topics and instructors will be "Seasonal Worship Planning" taught by Mons Teig and will focus on worship planning for Advent and Lent and advertises a "potluck of ideas planning session". "Recognizing God in Ordinary Life" taught by John Ackerman will focus on Matthew 6 and seeks to help recognize God in many ways, listening, discernment, etc. Tuition for the 2 day event is $70.

Many of our NE MN Synod School of Lay Ministry Students - past & current - are "hooked" on these course sessions as they offer a wealth of ideas, networking and fellowship. Contact Luther Sem at: http://www.luthersem.edu/lifelong learning/kairos for more info. At the 2 day session, participants from NE MN Synod have comprised at least 50% of the entire class!