Join us for Lenten Worship. All of the worship opportunities are streamed and available from our Worship Videos page.
Lent is often known as a time of giving something up in order to make room in our lives for spiritual pursuits. Rather than just “giving up” in Lent, the scriptures ask us to consider all that Jesus is “up to” and all that he asks us to be up to in his name. Instead of bemoaning what we can’t do, or used to do, in a culture where “measuring up” to external standards seems impossible, this Lent we will celebrate the small things that we can do right now to respond to God’s call in our place, for our time.

A hot air balloon is a great image for us to consider this season. It is a great symbol of answering a calling to ascending to new heights and perspectives from a once deflated state, to being “lifted up” by the Spirit. Just like a hot air balloon requires warmer air to be blown into it to lift it up, so can we be lifted up by the Spirit to not only feel less deflated ourselves, but to fill us up to consider ways we can answer the calling of God to share God’s warmth and love with others. We will be invited to be lifted up to a place where we can dwell in the wonder of God’s creation from a “bird’s eye view,” and take in the wonders of God all around us. We will explore the ways we can make little changes “for good” and consider “getting up to something” for the sake of ourselves, our community, other people, or the planet.
Ash Wednesday, March 5, 7pm – Store Up
Ash Wednesday Worship with imposition of ashes and communion
As we begin this Lent season, we contemplate the essence and the substance of our lives. Do we spend time reaching for “must haves” that our culture says we need? Or are we storing up the things that bring us closer to the reign of God, the good things — the treasures — that fill us and others with well-being of body, mind, and spirit.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…” — Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-21
For the 6 weeks of Lent, we have midweek services on Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
Our Lenten theme is “what r u up 2?”

Midweek Lent Worship
Wednesdays, March 5 thru April 9 – 7pm – what r u up 2?
Beginning March 5, our Wednesday worship services will begin with a free-will supper from 5:15-6:30pm
Wednesday, March 12 – Come Up
The first Sunday of Lent brings us to the moment at which Jesus comes up out of the waters of baptism to hear, “You are my beloved.” We are called to come up out of the depths of whatever seeks to keep us under and know that we are beloved of God. Come up, for now is the time to be fully who you are created to be for the sake of the world.
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. . . . “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” — Mark 1: 9-15
Wednesday, March 19 – Take Up
“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” — Mark 8: 31-38
Jesus was very clear that following him might not be a smooth ride. He was bound to choose the just way, not the easy way, through life. To take up the cross was to lose one’s life — to let go of certain expectations of safety and acceptance in order to stand for the Gospel message of love. How are we to take up the causes of Jesus — justice, righteousness, and mercy in our day?
Wednesday, March 26 – Raise Up
The story of Jesus’ response to the temple being made into a marketplace was profound and may have been another step toward his ultimate demise on the cross. He refers to raising up a new temple in three days — something his disciples later remembered as a foretelling of his resurrection. How might we raise up as the Body of Christ and be a holy temple — a holy dwelling place of God — in the world?
Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. . . .” But he was speaking of the temple of his body. — John 2: 13-22
Wednesday, April 2 – Light Up
“For those who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.” — John 3: 14-21
Verse 16 is probably one of the most infamous and oft-quoted scripture in the Bible. What follows that verse is important for our Lenten journey. God did not send Jesus to condemn the world, but to offer it saving light. As believers in that light, we are called to be those who will continue to light up the world through our lives so that the world might see the hope it yearns for.
Wednesday, April 9 – Lift Up
“When nothing else would help, love lifted me!” says the old Gospel song. To be lifted up is to be drawn into the love of God. Jesus drew all kinds of people to him during his short tenure on earth, drawing no boundaries for who was invited into that love. As his hour to die drew nearer, he spread the message that all things would be enveloped in his love even after he was gone. What uplifting message will we pass on to others?
“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” — John 12: 20-33
Sunday, April 13 – Sit Up
So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him. . . . Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written: “Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion. Look, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” — John 12: 12-16
Make no mistake, the powers-that-be in Jerusalem sat up and took notice at the actions of Jesus and his motley crew of palm-waving followers on that morning. It was a show of the “power” of love and injustice for the “least of these,” in stark juxtaposition to the military might of the Roman rulers. It was a non-violent action featuring a man sitting on a donkey — an action that has offered hope throughout the ages. Will we sit up and take notice of the injustice of this world and work to eradicate it in ways that honor that first Palm Sunday parade?
Holy Week and Easter
Maundy Thursday, April 17, 2025 thru Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025 at 9am with Holy Communion
See the details on the Holy Week and Easter page.
*A Free-will Youth Continental Breakfast will be provided on Easter
before worship from 8:15-8:50am, and following worship from about 10ish-10:45am
Lent/Easter Special Offerings
These special seasonal offerings are received at the meal or at the services.
The Mission Possible team has selected the 2025 Lenten offerings to be equally split between:
Least of my Brethren which seeks to better the situation of those experiencing homelessness around the Omaha and Council Bluffs Metro area.
ELCA Good Gifts which provides critical support to the ministries and programs of the ELCA where it is needed to help people to receive life-sustaining hand-ups.
Lenten Materials
“Up” Journals can be found in the Narthex.
We invite you to slow down and reflect on our Lenten Themes each week through this journal. In it is a QR link to a song to listen to as well. The journal is another way to explore and consider the theme question, “what r u up 2?”
You can also get the “Up” Journal online and interact with others that way.
Devotion Options
Luther Seminary invites you to use their 2024 Lenten devotional, There in God’s Garden. These devotions are written by faculty members and alumni of the seminary.
ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving
You are invited you to study, pray, reflect and give with us during ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving for our families, our neighbors and communities around the world.
Download the 40 Days of Giving study guide.
Luther Seminary – God Pause devotions
Looking for spiritual refreshment? God Pause devotions are reflections sent daily via email. View today’s devotion and/or sign-up for daily email delivery.