Lent
The Season of Lent
Dear People of God: The first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord's passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a season of penitence and fasting.
We hear these words every year as part of the Ash Wednesday liturgy. They remind us of the original purpose of Lent - a season of penitence and fasting in preparation for Holy Baptism.
For those who are already baptized, Lent is a time to renew our commitment to living as baptized people. We consider how to repent - not out of self-condemnation, but out of a desire for holiness of life. We give up habits or activities that draw us from the love of God in order to turn our attention more clearly to God and neighbor.
We're offering many ways to renew our commitment in this season:
- Journey Groups and Sermons focused on our confession of faith in the Nicene Creed
- A new contemplative healing service to open us to God’s cleansing love
- Sundays marked by prayer and quiet
Join us for a holy Lent.
Rev. Grace
Sunday Worship in Lent
I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word.
Our worship in Lent is a response to this invitation from the Ash Wednesday liturgy.
We pray with Rite I, the older language of the Prayer Book, to help us pay more attention to what we are praying.
On the first Sunday in Lent, we say or sing The Great Litany - the oldest liturgy in the Prayer Book. This series of intercessions seeks God’s forgiveness, protection, and help.
On the remaining Sundays of Lent, we begin with our confession of sin. The Penitential Order brings before God our need for repentance and mercy.
Lenten Reflections: This We Believe
During the season of Lent, Journey Groups, sermons, and Lenten devotions from St. Thomas will focus on the Nicene Creed.
We're inviting those who like to write to share a short devotional message during the season. Contact Meg if you'd like to write a reflection.
Holy Week & Easter Services
Holy Week is when the foundational story of Christianity - Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection - is remembered and retold, both in words and in ritual actions, at services throughout the week. It ends at sundown on Holy Saturday with a service called the Great Vigil and the first Easter celebration.
From earliest times Christians have observed the week before Easter as a tim…
Holy Week & Easter Services »Easter Offerings
St. Thomas invites special offerings for flowers, music, and other ministries during Easter Season. Gifts may be dedicated in honor or memory of someone and will be listed in the Easter Sunday bulletin on April 9. Submit your contributions and dedication information by using the special envelopes located in the Narthex or complete the online form below and make your gift online.…
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