"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new!" ~2 Corinthians 5:17
Going back to the 4th century, Lent has traditionally been a time of initiation into the worldwide communion of Christ through preparation and participation in the sacrament of baptism. This season is likewise intended to serve as a renewal of baptismal energy and mission as the whole body of Christ accompanies the candidates through the initiatic journey.
Once central to spiritual traditions around the world, rites of initiation to mark important transition points in life have fallen out of favour within the modern culture. "Following my own path" has become the dominant narrative. This is not without consequence. Without the guidance, inspiration and support of spiritual community, many today remain stuck, unable to move forward and deepen into a relationship with the Divine.
As a response, this Lent we are invited to tread the old pilgrim tracks once again, as together, we will take the traditional steps of the initiate: Inquiry, Instruction, Purification, Rites of Initiation, and Integration. What will start with the scorched earth of Ash Wednesday on February 18 will journey through the 6 weeks of the season and find its culmination in the Great Vigil of Easter on Sunday April 4, where “new life in Christ” will be offered through the sacrament of baptism for new Christians and baptismal re-affirmation for established members. If you are interested in exploring baptism, please be in touch with Rev. Jason.
The initiatic journey moves us from one state of being to the next. It is about our transformation, each in our own way, to be more like Christ; and as we are transformed, so too the world is transformed. As St. Paul says in 2 Corinthians "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new!"
Join the journey this Lent and Easter at Metropolitan United Church!
The following Monday evening sessions will be open for all, but specifically designed for candidates for baptism and those looking to re-affirm their baptismal vows at the Easter Vigil. They will be offered in-person in the chancel of the church and on Zoom. Please email Rev. Jason for the link.
Inquiry
- February 27 at 7:00pm - Why are you here?
Instruction
“Instruction” will be offered in 4 sessions, each based on a question used in the baptismal/reaffirmation of baptism liturgy of the Easter Vigil.
- March 2 at 7:00pm - Do you believe in God, who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile & make new, & who works in us and others by the Spirit?
- March 9 at 7:00pm - Desiring the freedom of a new life in Christ, do you seek to resist evil, and to live in love and justice?
- March 16 at 7:00pm - Will you proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, in your words and actions?
- March 23 at 7:00pm - Will you join with your sisters, brothers and siblings in this community of faith to celebrate God's presence, live with respect in creation and love and serve others?
Purification
- March 23 at 7:00pm - How will we prepare for Holy Week? Fasting, prayer, scripture, other spiritual practices?
Integration
- April 20 at 7:00pm - Wrap up session two weeks after Easter. What have you learned? What do you seek to integrate into your life? What might a “rule of life” look like for you?
Ash Wednesday - February 18th, Noon
As the season of Lent begins, we join in worship. Taking the palms from last year's Palm Sunday worship, we burn them into ash. That ash, offered in the sign of a Cross on our foreheads or hands, then becomes a symbol of our frailty and our failed intentions. But we are also assured of God's mercy, love, forgiveness, and the gift of new life. This simple service in the style of the Taizé Community will be offered in-person only in the chancel.
Sunday's in Lent - February 22 - March 29th, 11am
We gather online and in-person each Sunday in the season of Lent for beautiful liturgy, inspiring and challanging sermons, and some of the most profound music of the Christian tradition offered by the Metropolitan Choir and Canada's largest pipe organ.
Palm Sunday - March 29th, 11.00 am
Holy Week begins with shouts of "Hosanna" as the crowd welcomes Jesus into Jerusalem. Waving palm branches, the congregation is invited to join in the Palm Sunday procession around the church. By the end of the service the tone has shifted into the solemnity of the days ahead.
Maundy Thursday - April 2nd, 7.00 pm
Maundy Thursday takes its name from the latin ‘mandatum’, meaning ‘commandment’, in reference to the new commandment Jesus gives his disciples at the Last Supper (John 13:34). This service of word, table and foot washing will take place in the chancel (in-person only).
Good Friday Morning Service - April 3rd, 11.00 am
Out of anguish we see light. We gather for this solemn and powerful service to walk with Jesus to Golgotha and encounter his crucifixion and death on the cross - always with the assurance that the powers of evil do not get the last word. In-person and livestream.
Good Friday Concert, JS Bach St John Passion - April 3rd, 7:30pm
The Met Festival Choir and Baroque Orchestra, with Evangelist Nicholas Nicolaidis, and under the direction of Jonathan Oldengarm, present J.S. Bach's St John Passion. Other soloists to be announced. Pre-concert talk by Jonathan Oldengarm at 6:30 p.m.
Easter Vigil - April 4th, 9.00 pm
The Easter Vigil is about sitting with the disciples in their grief and uncertainty before moving towards the mystery of the empty tomb. This service starts outside and moves into the chancel and marks the transition from Holy Week to Easter, from Passion to Resurrection, from death to life. In-person and livestream.
Easter Sunday - April 5th, 11.00 am
He is risen. He is risen indeed! Hallelujah! We mark the victory of love that is Easter with Holy Communion, The Metropolitan Choir & Silver Band. This is our best attended Sunday worship service of the year, so please come early to ensure seating. In-person and livestream.
Other Programs
Lenten Daily Office - Running each weekday in Lent from 8:00-8:15 am, we gather on Zoom for a short time of prayer, scripture and the writings of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi. The first Daily Office will be on Ash Wednesday (Feb 18), and the observance will include Holy Saturday and conclude on Easter morning (April 5). Please email Rev. Jason for the Zoom link.
Lenten Reflections - Each weekday in the season of Lent a reflection from a Metropolitan comunity will be sent to subscriber's inboxes. To receive the reflections, please email Elisabeth in the church office.
Calendar of Events and Programs
All are welcome to participate in these programs, services, concerts and events. Click through for more information.
When does the worship service start?
Our morning worship begins at 11:00 a.m. with an organ prelude that starts at 10:45. You can also hear Met's carillon (bells) being played as you make your way from the park into the church!
How do I find you?
We're located at 56 Queen Street East, just east of Queen and Yonge. That's a five minute walk from Queen subway station and only two stops from Union Station if you're travelling by bus or train from out of town. TTC streetcar stops are just a few steps away. On the west side of the church Bond St. offers areas to lock up your bike if you're cycling, and our parking lot there is free to use on Sundays.
What should I wear?
Whatever you are comfortable wearing! There is no dress code at Met, but we do recommend dressing for the season at hand as our building temperature can fluctuate slightly.
Do you have programming for kids?
Yes! Met has a Sunday School each week, led by our Children & Youth Ministries Animator, that follows our shared Children's Time. There are also several kids' music groups that perform regularly and rehearse most weeks before worship.
What are the services like?
Worship together is rooted in our strong sense of liturgy and community. We seek to raise up the voices around us, showcasing the breadth of activity and talent that is Met. Each week you can expect a thought-provoking sermon as well as an array of music to enjoy and participate in (we feature a thirty voice choir, famous pipe organ and numerous ensembles week to week).
Are your services online?
Yes, we livestream most of our services on our website at metunited.ca/live and on YouTube.
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