Lent & Easter Worship, Information & Activities
2024 Lent Season
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Ash Wednesday - February 14, the first day of Lent.
Palm Sunday - March 24, celebrating the return of Jesus to Jerusalem. Maundy Thursday - March 28, commemorating the Last Supper. Good Friday - March 29, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus. Easter - March 31, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. |
Topeka CofChrist Lent/Easter Activities
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March 24th @ 10:45 AM - Palm Sunday Worship Service
In person & Online March 28th @ 7:00 PM - Maundy Thursday Worship Service In Person Only March 29th @ 7:00 PM - Good Friday Worship Service In Person Only March 31st @ 10:45 AM - Easter Sunday Worship Service In Person & Online |
Community of Christ Lent/Easter Activities
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Join the Community of Christ World Church Leadership Council for a special Ash Wednesday Prayer for Peace service at 1:00 p.m. (Central Time) on February 14th to mark the beginning of the Lenten season.
You are invited to join in person at the Temple in Independence, Missouri, or online on the Community of Christ YouTube channel or Facebook page. |
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“Carry Hope Into the World”
2024 First Presidency Easter blessing On behalf of the First Presidency, Stassi Cramm offers assurance and hope as we journey through the Easter season.
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Easter Meditation
We invite you to take a moment and contemplate these questions as we prepare for Easter. |
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The Center For Living Water invites you to a special Good Friday worship from the Community of Christ Temple Sanctuary in Independence, MO. Sacred Pulse is a monthly gathering of mindful music where participants experience the sacred through original music, contemporary songs, and hymns. Each Sacred Pulse experience is intentionally crafted to resonate with diverse life experiences and spiritual journeys.
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Good Friday Worship :
Love is Our Way This event will be open to the public in-person, and live-streamed from the Community of Christ Facebook page in English, and the Community of Christ Youtube channels in French, English, and Spanish. This event will occur at 7 PM Central Time. In-Person Details: Address: 291 S River Blvd, Independence, MO 64050. Location: This event will take place in the Temple Sanctuary. Plan to enter at the Circle Drive entrance. Doors open at 6:30 PM. |
What is Lent?
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For years Christians have pondered the coming of Jesus’ passion and resurrection. The forty days of Lent have served as reminders of Noah’s forty days on the water, of the Israelites’ forty years of wandering in the wilderness, and of Jesus’ forty days of fasting and temptation in the wilderness.
Lent has been a time to consider the ways in which we separate ourselves from God and from one another. You are invited, in the name of Christ, to observe a holy Lent by self-examination, by prayer, by study, and by meditating on God’s word.
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Project Zion Podcast Episode 61: Common Grounds - Lent
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Project Zion Podcast - Coffee to Go
Reflection on our Lenten Season Journey |
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Project Zion Podcast Episode 685: Coffee to Go - Lent 1
Thunderous voices, rending of the heavens, temptation in the wilderness! Doesn’t sound like your typical baptism, but that’s how the writer of Mark tells the story of Jesus’ baptism. No time is wasted on flowery feel-good talk. It’s time to get down to the business of bringing about the reign of God. Join co-hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for this important passage that helps us prepare for the journey through Lent. Be prepared to think about what “rending” needs to be done in your own life during this season.
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Project Zion Podcast Episode 551: Coffee to Go - First Week of Lent
Are you ready for a little time in the wilderness, or is life a wilderness from which you need a break? In this episode of Coffee to Go, join cohosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith on this first Sunday of Lent as they consider what it means to join Jesus in the wilderness. What does “wilderness” like for you? What might it look like for others? What temptations confront you in the wilderness?
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Project Zion Podcast Episode 688: Coffee to Go - Second Sunday of Lent
As we get closer to Jerusalem, things are heating up, and Peter is beside himself. Things don’t seem to be turning out the way they should. And…what do you mean, “die to self?” Tough words to hear by someone who has already given up everything. Lucky for Peter, and us, dying to self doesn’t refer to a literal death. It’s all about sacrificing our own self-interest for the good of the whole. And, it’s about following the teachings of Jesus… living like Jesus … not just believing in him. Join hosts Karin and Blake for a look into this brief yet important public exchange between Jesus and Peter.
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Project Zion Podcast Episode 554: Coffee to Go - Second Week of Lent
How can these things be? On this, the second Sunday of Lent, join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith as they engage with Nicodemus and Jesus in a teachable moment about the natural and spiritual birth that God desires for all of us and creation. Consider the fact that some things having to do with God are complicated and confusing, and understanding is not always easy to come by… but that’s OK. In the midst of confusion, we can still make space for God and for others if we remember that “God so loved the world.” All of it.
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Project Zion Podcast Episode 690: Coffee to Go - Third Sunday of Lent
Watch out! Jesus has arrived at the Temple in Jerusalem, and he’s not happy! On this third Sunday of Lent, hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith spend a little time with Jesus as he starts turning over tables and throwing people out. The outer courts of the Temple are filled with vendors and moneychangers who are taking advantage of those who have come offer their ritual sacrifice to God for Passover, and the ones affected the most are the poor. It’s time to speak up against this (and other) blatant injustice.
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Project Zion Podcast Episode 556: Coffee to Go - Third Week of Lent
It’s the third week of Lent and we find that Jesus has “crossed the line,” and it’s a good thing. Join cohosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for this week’s episode of Coffee to Go in which they talk about Jesus’ encounter with the Woman at the Well, and how that relates to us in a world that too often draws lines in the sand and encourages an “us and them” mentality. See how you are being called to “cross the line” with Jesus.
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Project Zion Podcast Episode 690: Coffee to Go - Fourth Sunday of Lent
This little light of mine … I’m gonna let it shine! Today we take a break from walking with Jesus, and take a few minutes to talk about him. Why, in fact, did God send the Son to the world? Is it so that a few select people who believe a certain way and act a certain way (at least on Sundays) could get to heaven? We think not! Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith, for a deep look into a passage that includes the infamous “John 3:16,” but does not end there.
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Project Zion Podcast Episode 559: Coffee to Go - Fourth Week of Lent
Struggling with spiritual blindness? Held back by biases you’ve inherited or learned over your lifetime? Lent is the time to regain your sight… to put away those biases and blinders by intentionally working to see the world from another perspective. You don’t have to wait for Jesus to spit in the mud and rub it on your eyes to be able to see. Just start by taking an honest look at your own sin, whatever that (sin) looks like for you!
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Project Zion Podcast Episode 693: Coffee to Go - Fifth Sunday of Lent
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Project Zion Podcast Episode 561: Coffee to Go - Fifth Week of Lent
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Some Greeks want to see Jesus. That’s the subtitle of today’s focus passage for Coffee to Go. The question is, should we let them? Should we make Jesus accessible to whoever wants to see him? Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith, for their discussion of the possible exclusive way the focus passage is often read, as well as an alternate way to read it in which God’s “honor” becomes much more inclusive. There’s plenty of God’s honor to go around. No need to keep it to ourselves.
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When was the last time you did something without thinking about the “cost,” simply because it was the right thing to do? Giving without thought of cost is central to the extravagant nature of God. This week, join cohosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith at the house of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus for a lesson from Jesus on extravagant generosity. It’s always the “right thing.”
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What is Ash Wednesday?
The Lenten Season begins with Ash Wednesday, an ancient holy day in the Christian calendar. In scripture, ashes signify grief, sin, and human mortality as well as joy, forgiveness, and victory over death. Christians often wear a smudge of ashes on the first day of Lent to symbolize repentance.
Ash Wednesday is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible as a specific holy day or observance. The practice of Ash Wednesday is rooted in the Christian tradition and is observed by various denominations, particularly in the Western Church.
Ash Wednesday is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible as a specific holy day or observance. The practice of Ash Wednesday is rooted in the Christian tradition and is observed by various denominations, particularly in the Western Church.
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Project Zion Podcast episode of Coffee to Go, co-hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith, focus their conversation on Ash Wednesday… its purpose…and its call on our lives as disciples of and co-journeyers with Jesus. See how David’s heartfelt self-reflection and repentance in Psalm 51 connects with our own need to make space for God, and how we can move forward in a healing way.
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Romance or renewal … which will it be? With Ash Wednesday falling on St. Valentine’s Day, who knows? For this special edition of Coffee to Go, journey into the Psalms with co-hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith to get a sense of the deep yearning for renewal that is appropriate as we enter this Lenten Season. Grab your coffee and a broom. There just might be some “cleaning up” that needs to be done.
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What is Palm Sunday?
Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem as recorded in all four gospels of the Bible: Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; and John 12:12-19.
When we think of the crowds that greeted Jesus on Palm Sunday with branches to create a pathway to enter the gates of Jerusalem, we are reminded that in just a few days another crowd shouted, “Crucify him!” How do we respond to Jesus’ presence? Which crowd are we a part of?
Whole-life stewardship is not about fleeting moments of praise, but rather a lifelong response of gratitude for the grace and generosity of God as expressed through the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. How will we respond, not just today, but every day to the ministry and mission of Jesus Christ?
Whole-life stewardship is not about fleeting moments of praise, but rather a lifelong response of gratitude for the grace and generosity of God as expressed through the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. How will we respond, not just today, but every day to the ministry and mission of Jesus Christ?
Project Zion Podcast Episode 564: Coffee to Go - Palm Sunday
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“Hosanna to the Son of David, blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” The cries of desperation from a people waiting for their “victor” to enter Jerusalem and liberate them. Instead, they witness an incredibly humble event ironically referred to as the Triumphal Entry. How can a scripture telling of such deep humility in the midst of heightened expectations possibly be relevant to us today? Join co-hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for the first of several episodes taking us through Holy Week, and walk with Jesus as he “flips the script."
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Project Zion Podcast Episode 694: Coffee to Go - Palm Sunday
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Join us for a thought-provoking journey through the scriptures and traditions of the Christian faith in our latest episode of Coffee to Go. In this special Palm Sunday episode, Karin Peter and Blake Smith delve into the Gospel of Mark’s portrayal of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, exploring themes of humility, authenticity, and servanthood. Discover the significance of Palm Sunday and how it invites us to reflect on our own identities and the expectations placed upon us. Don’t miss out on this insightful discussion as we prepare for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Tune in and join us as we journey through the sacred days of Holy Week.
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What is Maundy Thursday?
Maundy Thursday is the night on which the Lord’s Supper was first celebrated. The central theme of that first Lord’s Supper was one of humble service. Jesus washed the feet of the disciples and commanded that they do the same for each other. Jesus taught that he came not to be served, but to serve; to share the hospitality of God and the intimacy of breaking bread together.
The word Maundy is derived from the Latin word for “command.” The “Maundy” in “Maundy Thursday” refers to the command Jesus gave to the disciples at the Last Supper, that they should love and serve one another.
The word Maundy is derived from the Latin word for “command.” The “Maundy” in “Maundy Thursday” refers to the command Jesus gave to the disciples at the Last Supper, that they should love and serve one another.
Project Zion Podcast Episode 69: Common Grounds - Maundy Thursday
Project Zion Podcast Episode 565: Coffee to Go - Maundy Thursday
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When was the last time you went to a dinner party and the host offered to wash your feet? How would you react if they did? Would you be embarrassed, or would you receive it as an extravagant gift? Once again Jesus does the unexpected. Co-hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith take us to the upper room for a lesson in servant ministry in this Maundy Thursday episode of Coffee to Go where Jesus lays out the mandate to “love one another.”
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Project Zion Podcast Episode 696: Coffee to Go - Maundy Thursday
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Join us for a thought-provoking journey through the Christian tradition on Maundy Thursday with this special episode of Coffee to Go. Hosts, Karin Peter and Blake Smith explore the significance of Jesus’ act of foot-washing during the Last Supper, emphasizing the themes of humility, vulnerability, and love. Delve into the transformative power of humble service and its alignment with the character of God. Don’t miss out on this enriching discussion!
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What is Good Friday?
Good Friday is a somber gathering as we observe the death of Jesus on the cross.
Why is Good Friday referred to as “good”, considering what the authorities did to Jesus was not good. Read the 26th and 27th chapters of Matthew, in the Bible, for the complete story of this event.
The results of Christ’s death are very good for us! “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit.”
1 Peter 3:18
Why is Good Friday referred to as “good”, considering what the authorities did to Jesus was not good. Read the 26th and 27th chapters of Matthew, in the Bible, for the complete story of this event.
The results of Christ’s death are very good for us! “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit.”
1 Peter 3:18
Project Zion Podcast Episode 70: Good Friday - Easter
Project Zion Podcast Episode 566: Coffee to Go - Good Friday
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Few people like the dark… especially when that darkness invades our everyday living. Ignoring it, however, will not make it go away. If anything, facing it head-on will only make the light that shines in the darkness that much brighter. Some say that you can’t celebrate the light of Easter without having experienced the darkness of Good Friday. In this episode of Coffee to Go, hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith will explore the darkness of Good Friday, and offer some helpful thoughts to acknowledge it, struggle with it and know that God is there in the midst of it with us.
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Project Zion Podcast Episode 697: Coffee to Go - Good Friday
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Tune in for a reflective and meditative experience where hosts, Karin Peter and Blake Smith, delve into the Scripture passage from the Gospel of John, which takes us through the events leading to Jesus’ crucifixion, emphasizing Jesus’ nonconformity and his challenge to established religious authorities. The episode concludes with a prayer, urging listeners to embody courage and selflessness in confronting the adversities of the world.
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Project Zion Podcast Episode 567: Coffee to Go - Holy Saturday
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"Anticipation, it’s making me wait.” These are not just the words to the refrain of a Carly Simon song or a ‘70s ketchup commercial. It is an expression of what we experience as we sit in the uncertainty of Holy Saturday… between the crucifixion of Good Friday and the resurrection of Easter. It’s also something experienced by many in the everyday uncertainty of life. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a look at the good and bad of waiting on Holy Saturday, and find ways to make that waiting meaningful.
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Project Zion Podcast Episode 698: Coffee to Go - Holy Saturday
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The quiet time between the crucifixion and the resurrection provides another great opportunity to explore themes of reflection, racial bias, and ethical integrity in the face of hatred and violence. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for this special “Holy Saturday” episode of Coffee to Go. Listen in as they discuss the roles of Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus as well as many other Jews in supporting, following, and caring for Jesus. Consider the importance of understanding and combating anti-Semitism. Use this time of waiting for something constructive regarding a culture other than your own.
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The Promise of Resurrection
Easter is the day we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter is the most important day in the Christian calendar as we rejoice in his eternal presence with us. Halleluiah! See Matthew 28-1-6, for the story of this event.
Project Zion Podcast Episode 568: Coffee to Go - Easter
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The stone has been rolled away. All that remains in the tomb are the linen cloths in which Jesus’ body had been wrapped for burial. He is Risen! He is Risen, indeed! But what does that mean for you? What does it mean that Jesus has risen? There are probably as many different answers to that question as there are people who will listen to this podcast…and then some. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith as they explore the events of Easter Sunday. No matter where you find yourself in the spectrum of belief regarding the events of that day, rest assured that there is a place for you in the Easter story.
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Project Zion Podcast Episode 699: Coffee to Go - Easter
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Join us for a thought-provoking Easter episode of Coffee to Go, where we explore the significance of the resurrection and the role of those without power (especially women) in the biblical account. Karin Peter and Blake Smith delve into the Gospel of Mark, challenging traditional gender roles and emphasizing the message that God meets individuals in the midst of chaos. You’ll be encouraged to contemplate your responses in similar situations.
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What Is Ascension Day
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Ascension Day, also known as Holy Thursday, commemorates the Christian belief in the bodily ascension of Jesus into heaven. This significant event is observed 40 days after Easter Sunday and marks the end of Jesus' earthly ministry.
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The Ascension of Jesus Christ is described in the Bible in the Book of Luke and Acts, where it is stated that Jesus was taken up to heaven in the presence of his disciples. This event signifies the completion of Jesus' earthly mission and his return to the Father.
Luke 24:50-51
50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them.
51 While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. NRSV
51 While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. NRSV
Acts 1:6-11
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?"
7 He replied, "It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority.
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
9 When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
10 While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them.
11 They said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven." NRSV
7 He replied, "It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority.
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
9 When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
10 While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them.
11 They said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven." NRSV
NRSV - New Revised Standard Version of the Bible
Project Zion Podcast Episode 583: Coffee to Go - Ascension Sunday
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He’s gone. He’s back. He’s gone again… now what? Have you ever found yourself feeling like the disciples must have on the day when Jesus ascended into heaven and before the coming of the promised Advocate? Confused? Lost? Uncertain? Living in the in-between? Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for this episode of Coffee to Go where they talk about the mystery of the “vacancy” left by Jesus’ second departure.
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Project Zion Podcast Episode 708: Coffee to Go - Ascension Sunday
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Wait. Rest. Bless. Repeat. What if Ascension Sunday was about more than Jesus leaving to be with God? What if the disciples just needed a break … a time to rest … a time to make space for the coming of the Holy Spirit? Imagine how exhausted the disciples must have been, physically and emotionally following what we call Holy Week. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a conversation about the importance of rest so that we might have the capacity to receive the Holy Spirit who is to be our companion on this journey of discipleship.
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Looking for information about Pentecost?
