Season of Lent and Easter Celebration
Every year during Lent, Christ Church at Grove Farm takes a journey together to learn more about the sacrifice Jesus made for us and to prepare our hearts to celebrate our Risen Lord on Easter. To get the most out of this journey this year, we are planning several ways to engage together as a church. Along with our Sunday worship, we will be gathering for a ‘Wednesdays in Wilson’ Lenten Series, and also going through a daily Lenten Devotional Journal together. In addition, we will be premiering a curated art exhibition during Holy Week for reflection and contemplation. This all kicks off with our Ash Wednesday service at 6:30 pm and concludes with our Holy Week services and Easter. It is our prayer that you will take this journey along with us this year.
Introducing The Portrait of Christ: The life of Jesus, as presented in the Bible, is vibrant, rich, and compelling. The teachings of the Master and the miracles that He performed are an unending source of power and life for us. His perfect and profound ministry is emphatically punctuated by His sacrificial death and stunning resurrection, dramatically composing a beautiful Portrait of Christ.
HOLY WEEK ART GALLERY:
HOLY WEEK
APRIL 2-9
ART GALLERY
A specially curated art exhibit showcased in Wilson Hall during Holy Week
APRIL 2
PALM SUNDAY
9:15 & 11:15 am
Sanctuary
Communion
APRIL 6
MAUNDY THURSDAY
6:30 pm
Sanctuary
Communion
APRIL 7
GOOD FRIDAY
6:00 – 9:00 pm
Sanctuary
The Seven Last Words of Christ, proclaimed by seven pastors.
Full choir and orchestra.
APRIL 9
EASTER SUNDAY
7:00 am
Outdoor Service
(Weather Permitting)
Communion
9:00 & 11:15 am
Sanctuary
Communion
Kids Programs & CHILDCARE
Sunday Mornings: Childcare for infant – 23 months; Sunday School for age 2 – 5th grade
Wednesday Evenings: Childcare for infant – 23 months; Kids Programs for age 2 – 5th grade
Maundy Thursday: Childcare for infant – preschool age.
Good Friday: Childcare for infant – preschool age.
Easter Sunday: At 9:00 & 11:15 am only: Childcare for infant – 23 months; Sunday School for age 2 through 5th grade. No childcare or children’s programs during the 7:00 am service.
Schedule of Events
GOOD FRIDAY | april 7, 2023, 6:00 pm
Upon the cross, Jesus completed His earthly mission, and through His sacrifice attained for us our atonement and reconciliation to God. At our Good Friday service, in somber consideration, we reflect on the final moments and teachings of Jesus the Messiah. We present, “The Seven Last Words of Christ” proclaimed by seven pastors, accompanied by a full choir and orchestra.
maundy thursday | april 6, 2023, 6:30 pm
Christ’s “mandate” is commemorated on Maundy Thursday—“maundy” being a shortened form of mandatum (Latin), which means “command.” It was on the Thursday of Christ’s final week before being crucified and resurrected that He said this commandment to His disciples. Jesus and his disciples had just shared what was known as the Last Supper and he was washing their feet when he stated:
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (John 13:34).
ash wednesday | February 22, 2023, 6:30 pm
Lent begins Ash Wednesday with a worship service at 6:30 pm in the Sanctuary, including Holy Communion. Ashes will be available for receiving. Childcare and Kid’s Programs are available.
Sunday MORNING SERVICES | February 26 THROUGH APRIL 9, 2023
February 26 – Jesus Forgives Us
March 5 – Jesus Dines With Us
March 12 – Jesus Provides
March 19 – Jesus Cleanses Our Hearts
March 26 – Obeying Jesus
April 2 (Palm Sunday) – Jesus is Annointed for Burial
April 9 (Easter Sunday) – Jesus Rises from the Dead
wednesday evening groups | wednesdays, March 1 – 29, 6:30 pm
Dinner at the cafe, worship, and teaching by our special guest preacher, Rev. Dr. Stan Keehlwetter, followed by small group time in Wilson Hall. If you aren’t already in a small group, this is a great time to try one. If you are in one, your group can participate together. Register below. 5:30 pm: Dinner specials available for purchase at the Lakeside Cafe. 6:30 pm: Worship, teaching and small group discussion Childcare: Infant – 23 months Kids Program: Age 2 – 5th grade AMPED Middle School Program
MEET OUR GUEST PREACHER
Rev. Dr. Stan Keehlwetter has degrees from Gordon College, Duquesne University, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Fuller Theological Seminary. He has served as a Presbyterian pastor in Western Pennsylvania for 40 years. He recently completed a 13-year tenure as part-time interim pastor of the Plain Grove Presbyterian Church near Slippery Rock. From 1999 to 2018 he served as Dean of the Chapel at Grove City College. While at the college he oversaw the chapel program, taught in the Humanities and Biblical Studies Departments, served on the President’s Senior Leadership Team, and coached Women’s Soccer and Men’s and Women’s Track and Field.
Now retired, he tutors ninth grade students in the Classical Conversations program, coaches Track and Field at Eden Christian Academy and volunteers with Avonworth Soccer and Upward Basketball.
He is married to Lois and resides in Wexford, PA. They have three grown children and 12 grandchildren.
wednesdays FOR KIDS
Childcare is available for infants through 23 months. Kids Ministry will offer a special Lenten series for children aged 2 – 5th grade.
wednesdays FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS
AMPED Wednedsay Nights for Middle School includes a lesson that’s easy for middle school students to understand, is life-changing, and biblically-based. Middle school students will also participate in small groups. We great group of adult leaders who love middle school students and help lead students through these middle school years.
LENTEN STUDY JOURNALS
We invite you to make this Lenten journey personal using a Lenten Study Journal that we have prepared and will be giving out for you to take home and use every day, as well as on Sundays and during the Wednesday group time. Pick up a journal at the Welcome Center on Sunday mornings.
Additional Events
palm crosses | Thursday, March 30th, 5:00 pm
Join us in Fellowship Hall for a wonderful time of community and service as we make palm crosses for the congregation on Palm Sunday.
The cross, folded from a palm leaf, is a tradition reminding us how Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey. People were so happy to see Him that they took the palm branches and waved them in the air shouting “Hosanna” (meaning God saves in Hebrew) and lined the palms on the road making it easier for the donkey to walk. Palm Sunday is the first day of Holy Week.
Please bring: A pair of scissors (required) and a snack to share (optional).
good friday/easter choir
We invite you to join the Choir for our Easter service! Rehearsals begin in March. Click here for more info.
EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA
A family Easter event, Saturday, March 25. Click here for more info.