Lent

Even in this time of separation, the Season of Lent calls us to be community. Scroll down for details on the many ways the community of Abiding Presence will walk together through these 40 days.

• Wednesday evening Lenten Worship
• Community Forum: Connecting to Understand Homelessness
• Daily Devotion – A Story to Tell
• Lenten Jars
• Spring into Faith weekend workshop for adults and youth
• Sunday Worship

Midweek evening worship

Wednesdays, 7:00 – 7:30 pm
Live Stream on YouTube

March 24 Order of Worship

The invitation to Lent heard on Ash Wednesday reminds us that we enter this season together “with the whole church.” Though many common Lenten practices rightly invite us to individual acts of “repentence, prayer and fasting, sacrificial giving and works of love,” Lent is also a time for deepening of community. Using readings from Mark’s gospel, this series invites us to reflect on what it means to be in community with one another, with the world, with creation, and with God.

• Feb 24 -In community with creation
• Mar 3 – In community with all the saints
• Mar 10 – In community with our neighbor
• Mar 17 – In community with those on the margins
• Mar 24 – In community with Christ

Community Forum: Connecting to Understand Homelessness

Wednesdays, 7:45 – 8:30 pm
ZOOM meeting ID 210 494 8884

For many years, Abiding Presence has partnered with Haven for Hope, a local nonprofit that helps people experiencing homelessness find hope and new beginnings. This forum is an opportunity to learn about Haven for Hope and homelessness more broadly and join in a time of reflection on our partnership with Haven for Hope, education about homelessness in San Antonio, and exploration of how we can partner with Haven for Hope and the network of groups that work to prevent homelessness.

• February 24 – Seeing our Neighbors in the Storm – Explore the root causes of homelessness, reflect on the support systems that keep many of us in our homes, discuss the call to serve our unhoused neighbors and the levels of our society at which supports can be provided to help people experiencing homelessness.
• March 3 – Dwelling with Jesus – Hear the story of how Haven for Hope was created and how they seek the spiritual wellbeing of their clients. We will also reflect on the importance of building relationships in serving our neighbors.
• March 10 – Carrying Each Other – Remember how Abiding Presence has partnered with Haven for Hope over the years, and hear stories from APLC members of their experiences volunteering on their campus and with donations.
• March 17 – Ministering to the Marginalized – Learn how to get involved in volunteer service with Haven for Hope in both normal and pandemic times, as well as opportunities to volunteer with organizations that share Haven for Hope’s work in supporting people experiencing homelessness.
• March 24 – Jesus’ Example of Serving All – Examine the work of organizations that work together with the broader community to prevent homelessness through community partnerships and advocacy.

Devotion Booklet

A Story to Tell” Devotions for Lent 2021 was mailed to each member family of Abiding Presence. We hope you find meaning in the daily readings and prayers knowing we are walking together as a faithful community through this season. Read each day’s message individually to start your day or read it together as family in the evening. If a particular message speaks to you we’d love for you to share your thoughts on Facebook or Instagram using #CommunityOfGrace

Lenten Jars

Change a life with your change. Families are encouraged to select one of our mission partners to support with prayer and coins.  Find a jar for your coin collecting, decorate it if you like, and place it in a prominent location.  Through the 5 weeks of lent say a prayer for the ministry of the mission partner each time you add your coins.  Bring your jars to church beginning April 5.  We’ll tally up the gifts for each mission partner, send the total gifts, and share the good news of your generosity.

2021 Mission Partners
Children’s Bereavement Center | The Children’s Shelter
Habitat for Humanity | Haven for Hope | Lutheran World Relief
Texas Ramp Project | Water to Thrive

Sunday Worship
Connecting Covenants and Promises

Online worship via YouTube
Premieres Saturday at 5:30 pm

This year, the Sundays in Lent lead us to focus on five covenants God makes in the Hebrew Scriptures and to use them as lenses through which to view baptism. Join us in worship to understand some of the connections between the OLD and NEW Testament scriptures.

• Feb 21- Peter connects the way God saved Noah’s family in the flood with the way God saves us through the water of baptism.
• Feb 28 – Sarah and Abraham receive new names as a sign of God’s promise to make them ancestors of many. We too get new identities in baptism, as we put on Christ.
• Mar 7 – The Ten Commandments are essential to our baptismal call; centered first in God’s liberating love, we strive to live out justice and mercy in our communities and the world.
• Mar 14 – God promises Moses that all who look on the bronze serpent will live. When we receive the sign of the cross in baptism, that cross is the sign we look to for healing and hope.
• Mar 21 –  God promises Jeremiah a “new covenant” will be made to help all people know God’s heart. Our baptismal covenant draws us to God’s love and truth through Christ.

Spring Into Faith: Lenten Learning & Serving

Lent calls us to spiritual practices essential to the Christian faith: prayer, giving, living in community, and works of love.  This time of learning, breakout conversations, and service projects will build confidence, awareness, and compassion as we continue in our mission to Seek God and Serve Others… in new ways.