This invitation to the 40-day ancient practice of Lent calls us back to spiritual practices that re-center us in God's care. We invite you to make space to be renewed in these practices together.

Week 1, March 9: Making Space for Less – Fasting and Prayer: Jesus is led into the wilderness.

Fasting is a way to reexamine what we consume. We can fast from over-consumption, from supporting corporations that fail to uphold the common good (especially for Black and brown communities), from media, and from practices that harm our earth.

Week 2, March 16: Making Space to Gather – Works of Love: Jesus gathers us together as a hen under her wings.

We gather to encourage others, to serve in Jesus' name, especially as we support immigrants and refugees in the "work of welcome". We will have a special speaker from Global Refuge.

Week 3, March 23: Making Space for Renewal – Repentance and Self-Examination: The parable of the fig tree.

This Sunday we will have a visit from Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp and remember the ways we can turn to God in nature, as we examine our need for God.

Week 4, March 30: Making Space for Rejoicing – Forgiveness and Reconciliation: The parable of the forgiving father.

We forgive others and seek reconciliation in our individual lives, and as a society.

Week 5, April 6: Making Space for Generosity – Almsgiving: Mary pours out costly nard on Jesus' feet.

We recognize that all we have comes from God and share our resources with others.

An uplifting start each morning

We are grateful to Pastor Jen for having started a fixed time for group daily prayer at the start of the pandemic and for continuing it until her departure. We are so very privileged to have continued this practice.

Words cannot adequately describe how uplifting it is to start mornings in the company of this band of "prayer warriors." It is a blessing to be able to pray for, on behalf of, and with individual family members and friends, as well as for members of our congregation and the church community as a whole. It is also empowering to have the opportunity to lift our collective voice along with that of fellow believers across the country, and around the globe, in support of the marginalized, the outcast, the poor, and on specially designated days of recognition.

Everyone is welcome to join this daily ministry whenever they can. We look forward to continuing to serve Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in this ministry as long as there continues to be a need.

In Gratitude,

Brenda Froberg and Lisa Howard

Community in this powerful, welcoming group

Nate and I moved to Alexandria from MacDill AFB in Florida. We are a military family and have moved quite often. However, this move was unique in that it was at the onset of the pandemic. The stress of moving to a new place with no friends or family was difficult. I was looking for churches in the area and was excited to find Good Shepherd Lutheran Church with the offering of a daily prayer group.

I started attending the prayer group via Zoom and immediately felt uplifted and encouraged. I feel a strong sense of community within this powerful, welcoming group. The daily routine of the group: reading scripture, fellowship, and lifting our fellow beings up in prayer is now foundational to my daily life. It has led to my growth and evolution of connection and faith.

I am sincerely grateful for the group and know miracles have happened as a result of these daily prayers.

Thanks so much for what you do!

Lisa "Kitty" B

You may want to light a candle for worship.

We invite you to celebrate Holy Communion with us online.

• For most people having the physical elements of communion available will mean a piece of bread or cracker and a cup of wine, grape juice or water. Gluten-free bread or crackers are also welcome.
• You don't need anything fancy to celebrate. Jesus used the most common and basic foods to bless so that Holy Communion would be accessible to all. 

During worship, Pastor Kate will speak the comforting words, “In the night in which He was betrayed…”

• The bread and wine you have at home will be tangible signs of God's promise to be present in, with and under the elements of Holy Communion.
• We receive this meal and the forgiveness, grace and love it brings as an act of faith.
• We trust that God will be where God has promised to meet us, transcending physical and online boundaries.

GSLC communion bread recipe | Making GSLC communion bread (video)

GSLC's COVID-19 protocols are set by our COVID-19 Task Force.

Our goal has always been to provide a caring community. We've implemented a tiered approach to adapting to changes in the City of Alexandria CDC-identified community levels:

• Mask Optional - Green (low community transmission)
• Mask Recommended - Yellow (medium community transmission)
• Mask Required - Red (high community transmission)

What can you expect?

• We welcome anyone who feels more comfortable wearing a mask to continue doing so. We've found at the green/low community transmission level, some wear masks, others don't.
• Those who want to sing during worship may do so and the choir provides an anthem.
• We're receiving communion at the rail with wine in individual cups. Communion kits are also available if preferred.
• We can have meals and social activities with food inside our space. We’re excited to move toward holding more gatherings and events as a community.
• Pastor Kate will continue to send notifications when we learn that someone present in worship or at a Good Shepherd event tested positive for COVID-19.

For more information about community transmissions levels and guidance, visit the CDC website.

If you have questions, feel free to reach out to Pastor Kate or any other member of the COVID-19 Task Force (Sue Cottrol, Lori Strauss, Denise Steene).

What should I wear?

Please wear what you’re comfortable in when you join us for worship. Go to additional details