Lent 2025
Transformed
Lent is a 40-day season of spiritual preparation, beginning on Ash Wednesday and culminating in Easter. This year, our sermon series and combined adult faith formation offering, First in Focus, will center on being transformed into the image and likeness of Christ. The Lenten sermon series, Transformed, invites us to experience the profound change that comes through encountering God’s grace and power. The First in Focus series will explore selections of the Imitation of Christ written by Thomas à Kempis and consider their relevance for our lives today. Opening and closing large group lectures on March 9 and April 13 with curriculum for existing Sunday School classes and small groups for the four weeks in-between. We are pleased to welcome Dr. Luke Timothy Johnson, emeritus Woodruff Professor at Emory University, for the closing lecture on April 13. Running parallel to this offering, the Arts Council will present Lenten Art-Talks on March 16, 23, 30, and April 6. Finally, each Wednesday in Lent you are invited to participate in Word Before Work from 7:30-8:30 a.m. It is a time to reflect on the previous Sunday worship and sermon and to pray for one another. You are invited to join us on 3rd floor of Smith Building in Rooker Group Counseling Room. Most Wednesdays the preacher from Sunday will join as well. Katie Sundermeier will facilitate.
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP
Transformed: A Lenten Series
8:15 (Chapel), 9:15 (Fifield), & 11:00 a.m. (Sanctuary)
This Lenten sermon series, Transformed, invites us to experience the profound change that comes through encountering God’s grace and power. Each week explores a different aspect of transformation, rooted in scripture, as we prepare for the joy of Easter.
Sunday, March 9
Tony Sundermeier, Communion at All Three Services
A New Image (Jeremiah 18:1-6, & 2 Corinthians 3:12-18)
God is the potter, shaping us into vessels of glory. This sermon examines how we are being transformed into the image of Christ through the work of the Spirit.
Sunday, March 16
Barry Gaeddert
A New Beginning (Ezekiel 36:22-32 & John 3:1-8)
Like Nicodemus, we are invited to a new birth through the Spirit, leaving behind old ways of life and receiving hearts cleansed and renewed by God.
Sunday, March 23
Tony Sundermeier
A New Way (Exodus 3:13-22 & Matthew 16:21-28)
Jesus calls us to take up our crosses and follow him, walking in the way of sacrifice and trust. This sermon explores how transformation requires aligning our will with God’s purpose.
Sunday, March 30
Tony Sundermeier
A New Mind (Jeremiah 31:31 & Romans 12:1-11)
God promises to write the law on our hearts and renew our minds. This message challenges us to live as transformed people, discerning God’s will and offering ourselves as living sacrifices.
Sunday, April 6
Tony Sundermeier
A New Community (Isaiah 58:1-12 & Acts 2:37-47)
God calls us to form communities of justice, generosity, and worship. This sermon reflects on how transformation extends beyond individuals to the collective life of God’s people.
Sunday, April 13
Tony Sundermeier
A New Kind of King (Isaiah 55:1-9 & Matthew 21:1-11)
On Palm Sunday, we celebrate Jesus as the humble King who brings salvation. This message invites us to consider how Christ’s kingship redefines power and authority.
Sunday, April 20 — Easter Sunday
Tony Sundermeier
A New Day (Isaiah 65:17–25 & Luke 24:1–12)
The resurrection of Jesus ushers in a new creation where death and sorrow are defeated. This Easter sermon proclaims the hope and joy of God’s transformative power, making all things new.
Transformed calls us to embrace the work of God in our lives, leaving behind the old and stepping into the newness offered through Christ. As we journey through Lent, we are invited to reflect on how God is shaping, renewing, and leading us toward resurrection life.
FIRST IN FOCUS SUNDAY SCHOOL
Imitating Christ: The Call of Discipleship
The Imitation of Christ is one of the most popular Christian devotional texts of all time. Although it was written in the 15th century by and for members of religious orders, it still has much to teach the church today about discipleship and following in the way of Jesus. This study will explore selections of The Imitation of Christ and consider their relevance for our lives today. Opening and closing large group lectures on March 9 and April 13 with curriculum for existing Sunday School classes and small groups for the four weeks in-between. We are pleased to welcome Dr. Luke Timothy Johnson, emeritus Woodruff Professor of New Testament at Emory University, as our guest lecturer on April 13.
March 9 Opening Lecture – Chris Holmes
March 16 Christ Our Model
March 23 Humility
March 30 The Way of the Cross
April 6 Following Christ in the Everyday
April 13 Closing Lecture – Luke Timothy Johnson
LENTEN NOONDAY SERVICES
The Way of Jesus in Mark’s Gospel
This Lenten noonday series, based on texts from Psalms and the Gospel of Mark, explores The Way of Jesus, offering profound reflections on the character and calling of discipleship. Each theme challenges us to align our lives with the example of Christ as we prepare our hearts for Easter.
Wednesday, March 12
Chris Holmes
The Way of the Cross (Psalm 17 & Mark 8:31–9:1)
Jesus foretells his suffering, death, and resurrection, calling his followers to take up their own crosses. This sermon explores the sacrificial path of discipleship and the paradox of finding life through surrender.
Wednesday, March 19
Ben Fletcher
The Way of Humility (Psalm 105:1–15 & Mark 9:33–37)
In teaching his disciples that the greatest must become the least, Jesus redefines power and importance. This message invites us to embrace humility as the way to true greatness
Wednesday, March 26
Barry Gaeddert
The Narrow Way (Psalm 39 & Mark 10:17–31)
Jesus’ encounter with the rich man illustrates the challenge of the narrow way. This sermon reflects on the cost of following Christ and the promise of treasures in heaven for those who trust fully in God.
Wednesday, April 2
Katie Sundermeier
The Way of Service (Psalm 53 & Mark 10:35–45)
Jesus reveals the heart of his mission: to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. This message calls us to a life of selfless service, modeling the example of our Savior.
Wednesday, April 9
Rob Sparks
The Way of Protest (Psalm 20 & Mark 11:12–19)
Jesus’ cleansing of the temple is an act of righteous protest against corruption and injustice. This sermon challenges us to consider how we can align with Kingdom values and work against systems that harm others.
The Way of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark invites us to examine how we can live in faithful discipleship, embracing the path Christ walked, even when it leads through difficulty, humility, and sacrifice.
HOLY WEEK SERVICES
People of the Passion: A Holy Week Series
This Holy Week, we journey through the stories of individuals whose lives intersected with Jesus during His Passion. Each person reflects a unique aspect of humanity’s response to Christ’s love and sacrifice, inviting us to see ourselves in their experiences and choices.
Monday, April 14, 2025
Lauren Ghighi
12:00 p.m. - Chapel
The Devoted: Mary (John 12:1-11)
Mary of Bethany exemplifies extravagant devotion as she anoints Jesus with costly perfume, preparing Him for His burial. Her act of love challenges us to consider the depth of our devotion to Christ.
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Rob Sparks
12:00 p.m. - Chapel
The Gentiles: Outsiders (John 12:20-36)
The Greeks seeking Jesus symbolize the inclusion of all nations in God’s redemptive plan. This moment invites us to embrace the call to draw near to Christ, no matter where we come from.
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Saranell Hartman
12:00 p.m. - Chapel
The Betrayer: Judas (Matthew 26:14-16; John 13:21-30)
Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, becomes the infamous betrayer. His story reminds us of the fragility of faith and the need for repentance and grace in the face of failure.
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Barry Gaeddert
12:00 p.m. - Chapel
The Servant: Jesus (John 13:1-5, 12-15, 34-35)
Before Jesus was betrayed and arrested, he shared a meal with his disciples. During that meal, Jesus demonstrated for them (and for us) what true greatness and power look like by washing his disciples' feet.
Friday, April 18, 2025
Chris Holmes
12:00 p.m. - Sanctuary
The Judge Judged in Our Place: Pilate and Jesus (John 18:28-19:16)
Pilate stands as the reluctant judge, torn between truth and political expediency. His encounter with Jesus highlights the profound irony of the Judge of the world being judged in our place.
Through these stories, we see the many ways humanity responds to Christ’s love: devotion, curiosity, betrayal, denial, and judgment.
WORD BEFORE WORK
Each Wednesday in Lent we’ll gather 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. to reflect on the previous Sunday worship and sermon and to pray for one another. You are invited to join us on 3rd floor of Smith Building in Rooker Group Counseling Room. Most Wednesdays the preacher from Sunday will join as well. Katie Sundermeier will facilitate.
Wednesdays
March 12, March 19, March 26, April 2nd, April 9th, & April 16th
MAUNDY THURSDAY DINNERS
April 17th
Maundy Thursday Dinners will take place in various homes at 6:00 p.m. Stay tuned for more details and a registration link!