What is Lent?
Lent is the 40-day season of fasting and prayer leading to Easter. The word “Lent” comes from the Old English “lencten,” referring to Spring and the “lengthening” of days that occurs at this time of year. Why 40 days? Because that’s how long our Lord fasted and prayed in the wilderness after his baptism. During this season, our worship adopts a uniquely reflective tone.
What is your role?
This Lent, we invite you to make a pilgrimage of penitence, reflection, silence, and stillness. Lent is a 40 day journey that cannot be rushed. Take your time. Pray with intention. Set your own pace. Pause often. Recognize where Lent is leading you. The destination is the same for us all: Christ’s glorious resurrection. This season is led by Christ’s deep and abiding love for us. We hope during this time you will rediscover the great love that is Jesus Christ. Our pilgrimage will ring with joy when we come together to celebrate at the Great Vigil of Easter.
Lenten Guide 2024
We invite you to download our Lenten Guide by clicking on the image above. Inside we hope you will find ways to engage with prayer and penitence during this season. It is a pilgrimage with many possible stops along the way. A few are listed below.
- WORSHIP: During this season, our worship adopts a uniquely reflective and penitential tone. In place of our typically festive approach to worship, these changes allow us to experience a different side of the Christian life as we journey with Christ to the cross, the grave, and ultimately to resurrection. For other changes you will see and hear, check out this article from Fr. Lonnie.
- PRAY: Lent is a season to devote yourself to prayer. Whether it is following the Daily Office in the Book of Common Prayer, praying for your Lenten Prayer Partner, or simply sitting in reverent silence, set aside time every day this season to pray. Try a different place to pray than usual, like Eve’s Garden or other spaces around the church. For your convenience, there’s even an online version (written or audio format) of The Daily Office.
- DEVOTIONALS: Establish a set time during Lent to read and then sit in silence or prayer. Find Episcopal Relief & Development’s Lenten Meditation Guide online.
- FAST: Fasting is a spiritual discipline that many have practiced throughout the millennia. “Fasting was part and parcel of a communal call on God to act when the odds seemed overwhelming. Fasting was not merely a rite used to ask for forgiveness but a plea to God to help those who couldn’t help themselves.” The Rev. Canon Dana Colley Corsello. If you have health issues, please consult a doctor before fasting.
- RECONCILE: This is a season to stop for self-examination and introspection. It is a time to nourish the yearning to come closer to God. This practice can lead to a need for penitence. The Episcopal Church offers the sacramental rite called Reconciliation of a Penitent, the practice of 1:1 personal confession with a priest. You can read about this in the Book of Common Prayer, p. 861. If you feel the need for personal confession, please consult with our clergy.
- ENGAGE: As we clear our hearts and minds of focusing on ourselves and grow closer to God, we remember those in our community who are in need. Consider giving of yourself to a local non-profit or helping in a new area at St.John’s. Be the hands and feet of Christ for others.
- MAKE SPACE: The tradition of self-denial during Lent is a way to say “no” to what we want and say “yes” to the will of God. The purpose of this self-denial isn’t misery for misery’s sake. It’s for the sake of clearing space for prayer and making our hearts more in tune to the suffering of Christ. People often give up favorite foods, drinks, or bad habits. When you give something up on your Lenten pilgrimage, with what do you fill that space?
- ATTEND COMPLINE: Join us for our weekly Sung Compline service, on Sundays at 7:30 PM. This ancient monastic service is held in the candlelit church, led by clergy and the St. John’s Compline Choir.
- LENTEN EVENTS: St. John’s will have the benefit of special guest speaker Tim Ternes on Feb. 28-29. Tim is a gifted tour guide. His intimate knowledge and enthusiasm for the Bible is both amazing and inspiring. As the Director of The Saint John’s Bible, he travels extensively throughout the year (over 150,000 air miles annually!). Come and let him open your mind and see the Bible with fresh eyes. Tim will join us for four special events during Lent. Additionally, there are several special series and events being offered during Lent. See the list below and check out our calendar for details.
Lenten Events
“GET OVER YOURSELF; GOD’S HERE!: A FORTY DAY JOURNEY OF REPENTENCE”: FRIDAY BOOK STUDY
JOIN WEEKLY BY ZOOM | BEGINS FEBRUARY 16
Meets Fridays at 12 PM on Zoom. During Lent, we’ll journey through Lent guided by Dean Kate Moorehead in her book. No registration is required.
A LENTEN MORNING RETREAT
FEBRUARY 28 | 9 AM- 12 PM | REGISTER ONLINE
Join us for a special Lenten mini-retreat entitled: “For She is a Reflection of Eternal Light: Women and Wisdom in The Saint John’s Bible,” led by Tim Ternes. We will travel through the Wisdom books and reflect upon women in the Bible.
EVENSONG & DINNER FOR ALL AGES
FEBRUARY 28 | 5:30 PM
Led by the St. John‘s Choir School, Fr. Lonnie, Mtr. Leslie, and Tim Ternes, this Choral Evensong for children and families will celebrate the feast day of Anna Julia Haywood Cooper, a writer, teacher, and activist. We will focus on the love of learning and how that leads us all to God‘s wisdom. All are welcome to stay for supper!
JOHN’S PROLOGUE
FEBRUARY 29 | 7 AM
Hosted by the Men‘s Bible Study, all are welcome to examine John‘s prologue with guest speaker, Tim Ternes.
AN EVENING OF WORD & IMAGE: GOD’S LOVE STORY FOR HUMANITY
FEBRUARY 29 | 10 AM-12 PM | REGISTER ONLINE
Following a light reception, special guest speaker Tim Ternes will lead us through Visio Divina (a “sacred seeing”) of The Saint John’s Bible as we consider the Bible as God’s never-ending love story for all of humanity.
A LENTEN EVENING OF SOUND & STILLNESS
MARCH 22 | 6 – 8:30 pm | REGISTER ONLINE
Toward the end of your Lenten pilgrimage, The Front Porch invites you to an evening of sound and stillness with a sound bath. Enjoy an oasis of communal peace and quiet as we approach Holy Week.
