Lent Teaching Series:
Broken Hallelujahs
Each Sunday during the season of Lent, Senior Pastor Darek Zeyl will guide us in examining the Book of Job.
Why Job during Lent? Like Job, many of us are experiencing a time of sorrow, questioning, and lament. We might be asking questions like:
- Why is this happening to me now?
- Is there a Godly way for me to express what I am feeling?
- Am I alone in my sorrow?
- Where is the heart of God in the midst of my troubles or concerns?
The Bible makes it clear we will all experience loss, disappointment and discouragement. As we prepare our hearts, minds, and souls for the celebration to come on Easter Sunday, we step forward in knowing and trusting God in the midst of our troubles.
Join us each Sunday in person at 10:30 a.m. in our Sanctuary, or online at https://live.firstpresevanston.org.
February 22 – 1st Sunday of Lent
Scripture: Job 1 (with reference to chapter 2)
Sermon: The Big Test
Annual Meeting follows worship.
March 1
Scripture: Job 19
Sermon: Honest Lament
March 8
Scripture: Job 23
Sermon: Suffering Alone
March 15
Scripture: Job 38
Sermon: God’s Response
March 22
Scripture: Job 42
Sermon: Why?
Our Lenten Events
Palm Sunday – March 29
John 12:12–27
Join us and our Church Square neighbors for a joyful donkey parade before worship.
Maundy Thursday – April 2
John 13:1–17
A quiet, meaningful service remembering the Last Supper.
Good Friday – April 3
John 18–19
We gather in reflection as we remember the depth of Christ’s love.
Easter Sunday — April 5
“Christ Is Risen!”
Scripture: John 20:1–18
Celebrate the resurrection with joyful worship, music, and the good news of Easter hope.
You’re Invited
Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, we would love to worship with you during this sacred season.
Join us on Sundays — and especially during Holy Week — as we seek, pray, and celebrate together.
Fasting and Praying During Lent
We often refer to the season of Lent as a time of preparation. Drawn from Jewish traditions of sanctifying oneself before the various feast days, the Christian approach to the season has more to do with preparing for the celebration to come on Easter Sunday and beyond.
Lent originated in the early Christian church, with roots in the 2nd century, and was formally established as a 40-day preparatory fast by the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. It evolved from shorter pre-Easter fasting traditions, becoming a widespread period of repentance, fasting, and reflection.
Lenten ‘Pop-Up’ Small Group forming
A new 5-week ‘pop-up’ small group is forming for those interested in using the lectio divina and visio divina methods to contemplate the Bible passage that is the topic of each week’s sermon and a related piece of art. This group will meet during Lent on Mondays at 9:30 a.m., both in person and on Zoom. The first meeting will be February 23. All are welcome to join this peaceful opportunity to meditate on Scripture. Contact Valrie Barrett moc.liamg@429eirlav or Beth Rice moc.liamg@l.hteb.ecir for details on how to take part.
What’s a ‘pop-up’ group?
A pop-up group is one that is only around for a short time or a specific season (it pops up and then it’s gone). These are open to anyone, and are especially terrific for those who are new to First Pres Evanston, or are not currently involved in one of our small groups.
We want you to join our Evanston family
We hold membership classes every few months for those interested in exploring what it means to be a member of First Presbyterian Church of Evanston. Those who attend are under no obligation to join… It’s just a great way for anyone to learn who we are, where God has brought us from, and what a greater engagement with our church might look like.
