Lent 2024

Lent 2024

This year, during Lent, we will be intentionally focussing on the cross.

This is not the easiest path, yet the cross of Jesus is literally the crux of our faith. Everything hinges on it. We must contemplate its meaning and there is an over-abundance of meaning there.

But the cross can also appear totally void of meaning. In its original context it was an instrument of torture, terror, oppression, and death. This location of apparent senseless violence is hardly something we want to gaze at for too long.

Indeed, in our reading for the first Sunday of Lent, when Jesus spoke of his impending death, his chief disciple, Peter, would have none of it, rejecting that something like that could ever happen.

We can relate to Peter. We don’t want to think about the cross too much. It is too terrible, and yet it is front and centre in our sanctuaries and ought never be pushed off-centre from the life of following Jesus.

And so, during Lent, we will follow the following themes as we commit to contemplating the cross…

All Request Music Service

All Request Music Service

Do those Christmas hymns hold a special place in your heart? Perhaps they bring up fond memories, or maybe it just doesn't feel like the Christmas season without them. Lucky for you, Prairie Church has hymns focused on the Christmas theme sprinkled throughout this Advent season. However, we are hosting a special "All Request" service on Sunday morning, December 24 where we will pick from YOUR favourite hymns and play them during a special Christmas Eve morning service at 10:00AM.

Folks can send in their hymn requests by emailing Ashley, Prairie Church Music Director or use this handy form. We can't wait to hear about your selections and why they're so meaningful to you!

Advent Devotionals & Studies

Advent Devotionals & Studies

There are so many resources to help you mark the season of Advent. Here are a few that we recommend:

Sing a New Song - the PCC Weekly Advent Devotional - Download the PDF to use individually, with your family, or in a group

Presbyterians Read Advent Book Study - Reflections at Advent on Bonhoeffer’s Meditations
This 5-week study, has accompanying videos and can be done individually or with a group. The study is meant to accompany the reading of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s book of Advent meditations, God is in the Manger. Find out more, here.

Bless the Advent We Actually Have - Kate Bowler’s excellent Advent devotional. This is free on her website for individual use and Ashley B will be leading her small group through 3 discussions on Zoom based on this resource. Email Rev. Matt Brough if you want to join these discussions.

Candle Lighting Liturgies - We will be using the Presbyterian World Service & Development Advent Candle Liturgies in our Advent services on Sunday morning, but there is more to this resource than simply the readings. Download them for yourselves at this webpage to read about the work of PWS&D and connect to your Advent practice, or consider using the liturgies in your own candle lighting at home.

Supporting Place of Hope Indigenous Church

Supporting Place of Hope Indigenous Church

We are excited to provide a special experience for the families of Place of Hope during the Christmas season. Over the coming weeks, our church is collecting donations and items to support this ministry. This year, each family will receive a turkey or ham and each individual of the household will receive a “Santa bag”.

We try to pack in evenly anything that will fit in an 11x14 cloth bag. This year we have 47 children 17 and under (26 girls & 21 boys) and 55 adults (34 females & 21 males) who regularly attend. We also do a few generic bags in case there are visitors so everyone gets something.

While our church is collecting dish towels and dish cloths to go into the bags, you can also look at the following list for other items that are needed. (click to read more)

Join in the Music at Prairie

Join in the Music at Prairie

The Prairie Church Choir will help us all prepare for the season advent as we usher in a time of wonder through music. The choir welcomes all voice types and will sing four times at Sunday morning workshop services as well as the evening Christmas Eve service (time TBC). More information to follow.

REHEARSALS:

🎵December 3 from 12 - 1:30PM

🎵December 10 from 12 - 1:30PM

🎵Sunday mornings from 9:15 - 9:45AM (Dec 3, 10, 17)

SERVICES:

🎵December 3 at 10AM

🎵December 10 at 10AM

🎵December 17 at 10AM

🎵December 24 at evening service (time 4pm)

For those who want a little more information, need some encouragement, or have questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to our music director, Ashley, at ashley@prairiechurch.ca.

Interpreting the Bible Imaginatively - A Workshop

Interpreting the Bible can be challenging but, believe it or not, it can also be fun, and diving into understanding the bible through imaginative engagement with the stories, letters, poems and more that lie within its pages can be deeply rewarding, even life-changing.

On Saturday, Nov 18th, 2023 from 9:30 to 11:30, Rev. Matt Brough will be offering a workshop on Interpreting the Bible Imaginatively. (In person only at 590 University Cres, Winnipeg)

Together, we will explore a couple of biblical texts and learn some techniques to uncover fresh insight.

Email Matt if you plan to come.

Definitely, let Matt know you’re coming because we want to make sure there are enough snacks!

Our congregation is located in Winnipeg, which is on Treaty One Land, first entrusted by Creator God to the Anishinaabeg, Anishininewuk, Dakota Oyate, Denesuline, Nehethowuk nations, the homeland of the Red River Métis.