The Dayton-Five Rivers Deanery has announced its 2014 Lenten series: “Dayspring2014.” Its focus will be the four special stories told in this Lent’s Sunday worship, along with the gospel accounts used on Good Friday and Easter Morning. All are from the gospel according to John, and all have been used, at various times in the church’s history, to prepare new members (catechumens) for baptism at Easter and current members for the renewal of their baptismal commitments.
This year, we will “surround the Sunday” with two approaches to the gospel readings.
In keeping with the deanery’s regular Lenten practice, the first approach will consist of sessions on the first five Tuesdays in Lent, from 6-8 p.m. Each host church (please see the schedule below) will provide a simple supper from 6:00-6:40. The program portion will take place from 6:45-8:00. It will be led by the Revs. Deborah Woolsey (St. Paul’s) and Mike Kreutzer (St. Mark’s). Mother Deborah will lead a special prayer service, focusing on themes from the gospel for the coming Sunday. In the middle of the service, Fr. Mike will explore the story in depth, incorporating discussion on the account’s significance for both new and longtime Christians.
Tuesday sessions will take place on:
- March 11 @ St. George’s (John 3:1-17, Jesus and Nicodemus)
- March 18 @ St. Mark’s (John 4:5-42, Jesus and the Samaritan Woman at the Well)
- March 25 @ St. Paul’s (John 9:1-41, Jesus and the Man Born Blind)
- April 1 @ St. Christopher’s (John 11:1-45, Jesus and Lazarus)
- April 8 @ Christ Church, Dayton (John 18-20 excerpts, Jesus Raised Up in his Death, Resurrection, Return to the Father, and Sending of the Spirit).
The second approach will begin with the Sunday and its gospel reading and will provide a Facebook-based discussion opportunity during the following week. Facebook page “Dayspring2014” will include a link to the week’s gospel story, accompanied by possible discussion-starters, compiled by a team from area churches. We invite Facebook users from throughout the diocese to join in the discussion and to invite their Facebook friends (of any church tradition or of none) as well. Click on the Facebook link below to experience Dayspring 2014!
https://www.facebook.com/Dayspring2014
Please direct any questions to St. Mark’s, Dayton, stmarks@ameritech.net or 937-256-1082.
