The Evangelical Lutheran
Church of the Good Shepherd
3700 Rutherford Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17111-1997

The Reverend Kester T. Sobers, III, Pastor		thelordismyshepherd
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The Season of lent

Create in me a clean heart, O God.

The Season of Lent at Good Shepherd is a pilgrimage towards the cross. The journey we travel during these six weeks is one of repentance, reconciliation, and thanksgiving for the One who saves us. It is marked by a strengthened prayer life, by intensified study both alone and together, by our hopes to serve those who suffer, and above all through our devotion to Word & Sacrament. Our Lenten practice does not focus upon morbid fears or dreary days; it invites those who walk this journey together to remember God's saving acts to each of us, and to strengthen our loving relationship with the One who overwhelms us with his grace.

We journey together in the following ways:
  • We sing the third setting of the liturgy in Lutheran Book of Worship.
  • We gather on Wednesday mornings and evenings around Word & Sacrament.
  • Our liturgies fast from flowers, bells, and all Alleluias.
  • The organ is silenced for preludes, and the reed stops and mixtures are withheld until Easter.
  • We pray particularly for those who grow in the faith; for those who will be baptized at Easter, and those who will renew their Baptismal vows in confirmation at Pentecost.
  • We pray for and support those in need.
  • We invite all to share in our Lenten pilgrimage.
See the church calendar for activities of our congregation during Lent.



The Season of  easter

Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

The Season of Easter at Good Shepherd begins with the singing of Alleluias at the Great Vigil of Easter and continues throughout the days of Easter until the evening of Pentecost. The brilliant light of the Paschal candle assures us that Christ is alive, which is why Christians can sing Alleluia, without ceasing. We have come through our journey to the Cross, and stand dripping wet from the waters of our baptism in this great season of rejoicing.

Lord Jesus, from your wounded side come streams of water, living water, Alleluia!

Our Paschal celebrations take the following forms:
  • We sing the first setting of Holy Communion in the Lutheran Book of Worship, our festival setting.
  • We come to communion in procession, recognizing the triumph of these days.
  • We replace all the fasts of Lent with the ringing of bells, the adornment of flowers, the singing of the festival hymns of the resurrection, and the glorious music of the pipe organ.
  • We celebrate our name day on Good Shepherd Day, the fourth Sunday of Easter.
  • We celebrate our lives throughout the week as "Resurrection People."
  • At every opportunity we sing again our Alleluias!
See the church calendar for activities of our congregation during Easter.

alleluia
last update: 03/06/2005
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