Worship
Lent & Easter
Join us for 40 days of contemplation, prayer, and preparation for Holy Week and Easter.
THROUGHOUT SCRIPTURE, those in troubled circumstances are encouraged (by prophets, priests, and angels) to “call on the name of the Lord.” On dozens of occasions in the Good Book, individuals and communities are advised to reach out to God in
prayer. It happens in the Hebrew Bible. It happens in the New Testament.
“Speak God’s name,” people are told, “and you will be saved.”
This is solid spiritual counsel. It invites a follow-up:
What name? What name shall we use to address the immortal, invisible God?
Down through the centuries, the faithful have responded to this question with a vast array of beautiful and powerful names. The Bible records over seven hundred names for God and over two hundred names for Jesus! Scripture overflows with sacred names.
Why are there so many?
Elohim
Dayspring
El Shaddai
Physician
Emmanuel
El Olam
Alpha & Omega
Great Shepherd
Qanna
Cornerstone
Adonai
Light of the World
Jehovah Jireh
True Vine
Rose of Sharon
Wisdom
Bread of Life
Bishop of Souls
Mother Hen
Lion of Judah
Prince of Peace
The list goes on. And on.
Does this abundance of names for God highlight all the different things that people want to see (and need to see) in the divine? Or does Scripture overflow with names for the divine because this is simply what happens when limited beings try to describe the infinite?
Throughout the season of Lent, Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church will explore the most provocative, reorienting, and comforting names for God found in our tradition. We will consider the backstories behind these titles. We will even investigate the ancient Christian practice of meditating on the names of God—seeking in these storied names opportunities for intimate connection.
This Lent, we will search for this connection. We will speak God’s names.
Join us. Bring your curiosity. Bring a friend who craves
to know and be known by the Author of all.
See you in worship,
Scott Black Johnston
Join us for Worship
Teacher & Lord
April 2 | Maundy Thursday
The Rev. Natalie Owens-Pike
6:30 pm, Sanctuary & Livestream
Suffering Servant
April 3 | Good Friday
12–3 pm, Sanctuary & Livestream
A contemplative service of Scripture, reflection, and sacred music.
Christos Anesti
April 5 | Easter
The Rev. Dr. Scott Black Johnston
9:30 & 11:15 am
Join us for Easter worship services, featuring festive music for choir, organ and brass. Both services are in the Sanctuary. You are invited to bring flowers and help us flower Christ’s cross on Fifth Avenue.
Shepherd
April 12 | Second Sunday of Easter
The Rev. Werner Ramirez
Start the day with Daily Devotionals
Journey through Lent with daily readings from our uniquely Fifth Avenue devotional, created by the clergy, officers, and Fifth Avenue staff members.