Public health precautions related to COVID-19, the coronavirus disease, have resulted in the cancellation of all public events, including Sunday worship, the Lenten concert and the series in Lenten spiritual practices. Read complete details here. We will announce online programming to replace certain of these events soon. Watch this page for further updates.

Searching for an Authentic Life

Humans have been worrying about who we are and where we are going for a long time. Our faith offers resources for anyone who wants to look deeply into these questions. That is the focus of this year’s Lenten sermon series, Searching for an Authentic Life.

Beginning on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 26), the pastors of Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church will consider exactly what makes for an “authentic” life. Each time we gather for worship, we will start with basic, but crucially important questions. Questions like, “Who am I?” “Where am I going?” and “What story am I in?” Each week we will tee up a music video to get you thinking about one of these questions of the soul. And then we will consider what philosophers, psychologists and scholars—not to mention Scripture—have to say on the subject.

You will find details on each week of this 10-part series on our worship calendar. Although we will not worship in person, we will provide a video of Lenten worship every Sunday. You will find the link on our home page.

Daily Devotionals

Once again, the pastors, officers and staff of Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church have compiled a collection of daily Scripture, spiritual reflection and prayer for each of the 40 days of Lent. The 2020 Lenten Devotional will be available at the church on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 26), or you may download it here. Each day’s devotional also will be posted online.

Or you may elect to receive these daily messages in your inbox. Simply complete and submit the sign-up form, and your first devotional will arrive on Ash Wednesday.

Two Roads to Calvary

On Sunday, Feb. 23, the Arts & Our Faith Committee unveils its Lenten exhibition, Two Roads to Calvary, featuring the Stations of Cross as depicted by two New York City artists—Fifth Avenue member Laura Fissinger, and Laura James, whose paintings Sermon on the Mount and Creation are part of the church’s permanent collection.

The Stations of the Cross depict 14 milestones on Jesus’ walk to Calvary. They begin with his condemnation to death and end with his body laid in the tomb. Christians (particularly in the Catholic and Anglican traditions) have made praying the stations part of their Lenten liturgical practice since the 15th century.

This unique, dual exhibition will be on view in the Chesnut Gallery through Easter. Read about how each artist approached her project here.