This Lent series (non-lectionary) is based on the book by the same name by Dr. Eric Elnes and is about how experiences of life through the "dark wood" (uncertainty, emptiness, lostness, etc.) can be seen as gifts. How can the struggles of life be the seedbed of spiritual awakening to the fullness of life? Includes a Holy Week service/drama. Can be adapted for use anytime for use in live-streamed, pre-recorded, or adapted in-person worship experiences.
Series Theme
In January of 2015, Dr. McFee and Dr. Elnes led a retreat for the BTS Center in Maine based on the manuscript for Eric's upcoming book, Gifts of the Dark Wood: Seven Blessings for Soul Skeptics (and Other Wanderers). This retreat was so compelling that the seed was planted to create a worship series based on the book. Marcia's frequent music collaborator, Chuck Bell, provided musical support for that retreat and was on board with Marcia to help create original music and arrangements for familiar hymns for the series as well. The book is compelling because it addresses something we all deal with...dark moments in our lives that are filled with uncertainty, failure, emptiness, lost-ness, temptation, and so many other challenges. And yet, there are gifts to be found if we embrace them.
Uncertainty can help us let go of our fear of the unknown. Emptiness can leave room for new possibilities. Thunderstruck moments can offer insight. Getting lost invites us to heighten our awareness. Temptation can help us know our true path. Reaching out to other "misfits" on the journey enriches our experience of life and love. And through it all, God is with us.
What's included in the series materials?
Nine worship scripts for Ash Wednesday, all 6 weeks of Lent, a Holy Week drama, and an Easter sunrise vigil
Original music by Dr. Marcia McFee and Chuck Bell: includes "There's a Path" threshold moment song and "Come and Rest" prayer song
More music ideas, including choral and handbell piece suggestions from guest expert Stephanie Rhoades
Visual and media arts ideas, including a series trailer and prayer video
Three get-ready webinars featuring discussions with our guest experts to help you get ready for the series!
Watch the Get-Ready Webinar!
Wondering if this series is right for your community and want to "see" what's in it?
Watch the recording of Dr. Marcia McFee's live webinar about the theme of the series, what's in it, and how to get ready for an amazing journey through Lent. Click on the video to watch on this page or go directly to the video on YouTube.
"I bought a one year subscription back in January along with the Gifts of the Dark Wood series for Lent. WOW! What a wonderful series and a great gift to me as the pastor. I could rest and listen for the Holy Spirit more deeply than ever each week with the foundational elements of worship already planned out and in place in advance! Thank you!"
- J.R.
"Never did I think I’d hear someone say, 'I wish Lent weren’t ending so soon!' — and many people have said that the these last couple of weeks. No one wants to stop singing 'There’s a Path' or 'Come and Rest.' I’ve always loved doing sermon series, but the music aspect taught me a lot about the power of repetition and how much the music becomes the container for the theme."
- D.D.
"I just wanted to thank you so much for the great resource 'Gifts of the Dark Wood.' Yesterday we had an especially wonderful service with the Gift of Emptiness. People wrote things that need to be emptied from and attached to the cross — coming forward with tears in their eyes. Those papers are now in a prayer jar in my office to be prayed over for awhile and for planning future sermon series."
- B.N.
Click the button below to check out. If you would like to become an all-access yearly subscriber, there will be a chance to upgrade, giving you access to all our resources, all year long (including next Lent)!
***After purchasing, you will immediately get an e-mail receipt and "thank you for purchasing" e-mail with a VERY important link that you MUST click to get access to the materials on the WDS website. If you do not see that e-mail, PLEASE CHECK YOUR JUNK OR SPAM FOLDERS (and if you don't see it there, contact us at [email protected]).***
Searching for another theme? Peruse our complete list of ready-made, fully-scripted Lent series at worshipdesignstudio.com/lent. Get access to ALL our fully-scripted series by becoming a full-year Worship Design Studio Subscriber!
