On Ash Wednesday, February 14, we begin our forty-day journey toward Easter. Marking our foreheads with dust, we acknowledge that we die and return to the earth. At the same time, the dust traces the life-giving cross indelibly marked on our foreheads at baptism and shapes our identity through life, into death, and for the life to come.
Come to Prince of Peace to be marked with the cross on Ash Wednesday. Drive by the church from 12-1pm or 4:30-5:30pm and we’ll mark you in person, sharing a prayer and blessing. And there will be a moment during our 6:30pm worship in the sanctuary (also available on live-stream) where you will be invited to be marked.
Lent Worship Series: The Cost
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus invites and shows his disciples – and by extension, each of us – what it means to follow him. This Lenten series unpacks the layers of Jesus’ actions and teachings which illuminate the sacrifices and commitments inherent in the life of faith. Together, we’ll contemplate the challenges, joys, and sacrifices of discipleship and the journey that brings us ever closer to the cross.
Lenten Opportunities
Ash Wednesday, February 14 | The Cost of Greatness
- 12-1pm, 4:30-5:30pm – Drive-Thru Ashes
- 5:15-6:15pm – Community Soup Supper
- 6:30pm – Worship in the Sanctuary LS
Sundays beginning February 18
- 8:30am – Worship in the Sanctuary LS
- 9:40am – Sunday Forum,Z PoP Rocks!
- 10:45am – Worship & Faith Rocks!
Wednesday Nights, February 21 – March 20
- 5:15-6:15pm – Community Soup Supper
- 6:30pm – Worship in the Sanctuary featuring Holden Evening Prayer
LS Live-Stream available on YouTube | Z Also available on Zoom
Find links and more information for these gatherings in our daily emails.
Sunday Forums During Lent on Luther’s “Seven Marks of the Church”
Special Offerings During Lent & Holy Week
The Huruma Centre – Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14
The Huruma Centre is a ministry of the Iringa Diocese in Tanzania and provides a safe home, nurture, nutrition and education for children who, for a variety of reasons, have no family or others to care for them. Friends of Huruma helps provide care for the children of the Huruma Centre through mutual relationship, prayer, financial support, and programs that enrich the lives of the children. Learn more here.
Holy Hammers/TC Habitat for Humanity – Feb. 18 & 21
For over 20 years, Prince of Peace has been one of the “Holy Hammers,” a coalition of north-suburban churches that commit to building a house for TC Habitat for Humanity each construction season. This year’s project is just north of the church on Victoria. You can also sign-up to lend a hand on the job site this spring and summer. Learn more here.
Lutheran Disaster Response – Feb. 25 & 28
Providing humanitarian relief for Ukraine and the Holy Land. In Ukraine, LDR is accompanying our Lutheran and ecumenical companions in their responses to the crisis created by Russia’s war. These partners provide refugees with immediate and long-term support. Through the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, LDR is providing humanitarian aid, psychosocial support, and financial assistance to those within and outside Gaza. Learn more here.
Every Meal – Mar. 3 & 6
Central Park Elementary, the school closest to PoP, is the most racially and socio-economically diverse school in the district. We’re proud to partner with Every Meal as they fight child hunger by focusing on filling the food gaps children face on weekends, extended breaks, and summer when they’re not able to access school meal programs. And we’re always looking to add more volunteers to our roster. Learn more here.
Piki Pikis for Bega Kwa Bega – Mar. 10 & 13
Piki Pikis are motorcycles in Tanzania, where our partners in the Iringa Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church are growing God’s church by leaps and bounds. Piki Pikis are especially helpful to the pastors and evangelists who travel into the highlands of rural Tanzania, bringing the message of God’s love to those who might be hearing it for the first time. In partnership with the St. Paul Synod & Bega Kwa Bega, we’re helping out the unpartnered congregations have access to this great ministry tool. Learn more here.
Coated in Love – 3000 Acts of Kindness – Mar. 17 & 20
On any single night, nearly 8,000 Minnesotans experience homelessness. Coated in Love provides hope, help and resources to people experiencing homelessness and to all who are in need. Their one-day event — 3000 Acts of Kindness — brings this mission into action. This is a place where all those experiencing homelessness are personally invited to come and receive material needs, but more importantly, to be truly seen, known, and loved. Learn more here.
PoP Rocks! at the National Youth Gathering – Mar. 24
Every three years, thousands of high school youth and their adult leaders from across the ELCA gather for a week of faith formation known as the National Youth Gathering. Through days spent in interactive learning, worship, Bible study, service and fellowship, young people grow in faith and are challenged and inspired to live their faith in their daily lives. PoP’s high school youth group, PoP Rocks!, is making the trek to New Orleans this coming July 15-21. Proceeds from this Lent Soup Suppers, the Palm Sunday breakfast, and this special offering will support their efforts.
Pastor’s Discretionary Support Fund – Mar. 28-31
A gas card for a single mom trying to make it to work; help with a security deposit in order to move into a safer apartment; a Target gift card for a dad buying a Christmas present for his child; grocery money to feed a family until the new benefits start flowing. These are all recent examples of the ways Pastor Peter and our staff are able to respond to those who come to our doors looking for help with the resources available through our Pastor’s Discretionary Support Fund.