Deep Calls to Deep

In the Scriptures and traditions of Lent, we find stories, songs, and promises that call us to dig deep and identify what is essential, what really matters, who we are at our core, and what God asks (and doesn't ask) of us. In times when much is uncertain and the waters are muddy, God calls out from a deeper place, voicing a call that echoes deep within us, as well. Hear the words spoken to Jesus at his baptism: "You are my Beloved; with you I am well pleased", and dwell deeply in this throughout Lent.

As we experience the season of Lent in weekly worship, you may wish to try on a more regular spiritual practice of your own. A few ideas are listed here. Lent begins this year with Ash Wednesday on February 17 and ends with Easter on April 4. Let's go deeper together, and listen for God's call deep within us.

Deep into Prayer

Common Prayer, a liturgy for ordinary radicals, is daily prayer you can follow year-round. Join other HMCers to follow these prayers Wednesdays at 12:30pm (or later on Facebook). d365 is another daily online devotional. 

The Daily Examen is a form of prayer that invites reflection on the content of your day. Find an introduction here or an app version here.

Living Lent Daily is a daily email prayer break with Scripture and related reflections, with suggestions for further exploration. Living Lent Daily is based on Sacred Space—the trusted online prayer site by the Irish Jesuits.

Pray in colour with one of these Lenten calendars, adding a prayer on each of the 40 days of Lent. Or try these Coloured Pencil Prayers from pastor Joanna Harader.

Deep into Reflection

Lectionary Poetry: Explore the weekly scriptures through the words of poets. Sign up on the Englewood Review of Books website to receive each week's batch of poems in your inbox.

Goshen College faculty, staff, and students contribute to daily Lent (and Advent) devotionals, based on the lectionary Scriptures, that you can receive by email or read on their website.

Disabling Lent is an anti-ableist Lenten devotional produced by Unbound: An Interactive Journal of Christian Social Justice. You can download the pdf or access the audio.

Drawing Closer to Creator & Creation: An Indigenous Journey through Lent is a Lenten devotional that encourages you to take your reflection outside. There are short daily readings (from Dr. Randy Woodley) on weekly themes, with reflection questions.

Lent-At-Home is a booklet of worship ideas and activities, designed with families with young children in mind and matching the worship themes from Mennonite Church Canada/USA.

Choose a topic to learn about more deeply. Remember the HMC library collection about racial justice.

Deep into gratitude and generosity

Keep a Gratitude Journal

Count your blessings and offer your generosity back to God

Follow this Mennonite Giving Calendar from Peace Mennonite or make your own.

Deep into Scripture

Follow the weekly lectionary Scriptures & worship themes in your own way.

February 21: Deep in the Sea ~ Called to deep Relationship
Genesis 9:8-17; Mark 1:9-15; Psalm 25:1-10; 1 Peter 3:18-22

February 28: Deep in the Woods ~ Called to deep Commitment
Mark 8:31-38; Romans 4:13-25; Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16; Psalm 22:23-31

March 7: Deep in the Changing Sky ~ Called to deep Wisdom
John 2:13-22; Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

March 14: Deep in the Wilderness ~ Called to deep Healing
Numbers 21:4-9; John 3:14-21; Ephesians 2:1-10; Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22

March 21: Deep in the Earth ~ Called to deep Growth
Jeremiah 31:31-34; John 12:20-33; Psalm 51:1-12; Hebrews 5:5-10

March 28: Deep in the Current ~ Called to deep Hope
Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29; John 12:12-16; Philippians 2:5-11

April 4, Easter: Deep in the Feast ~ Called to deep Living
Isaiah 25:6-9; John 20:1-18; Acts 10:34-43; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

Image above is "Heavenly Mother" by Kandace Boos. Used with permission.