
Lent at St. David's
Lent is a solemn season characterized by repentance and self-examination where the spiritual disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving (giving to the poor) receive particular emphasis. Christians do not engage in Lenten disciplines to earn God’s favor or even to become better people. Lent comes to remind us that this life is not the end, and that we do not properly belong to this world anyway. Lent prepares us for the life to come by stripping us from some of the comforts and amenities this world has to offer.
One of our prayers grasps the thrust of the Lenten season perfectly when it says, “Grant us, O Lord, not to mind earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to cleave to those that shall abide.” Lent helps us to cleave to those things that shall abide by causing us to slow down, take inventory of our lives, and reorder them after the pattern of Christ and his kingdom.
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We welcome you to join us in this journey and hope that in the midst of this reflective and somber season, you will be led into more profound awe and wonder as you consider the redemption of the world through our Lord Jesus Christ.
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Ash Wednesday
Wednesday, March 5th
7:00 am, Noon, and 6:30 pm
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Holy Eucharist with the Imposition of Ashes
a spoken service lasting about 45 minutes
7:00 am & 12:00 pm (Noon) in the Chapel
Solemn High Mass with the Imposition of Ashes
a sung service with our Choir; childcare available
6:30 pm in the Church
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Stations of the Cross
Tuesdays at 6:00 pm
March 11th - April 8th
The Stations of the Cross are a devotion that emerged in the late Middle Ages and direct us to consider our Lord's suffering for us. Beginning with Jesus's condemnation and concluding with his entombment, the stations lead us on a journey of contemplation and worship of the One who was "crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate."
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The Sacrament of Confession
Tuesdays at 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Before Stations of the Cross
Sundays at 5:30 pm
March 11th - April 8th
The Sacrament of Confession liturgically welcomes us back into fellowship with God when sinful patterns and habits draw us away. We encourage you to watch this video about making a confession, and prayerfully review this document as you prepare to make a Lenten confession.
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Lenten Teaching Series
Throughout this penitential season, Fr. Paul will offer instruction for some of the basic Lenten rhythms on the following Sunday evenings at 4:00 pm in the Chapel. Each session will conclude with Evening Prayer at 5:00 pm.
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March 9th: Fasting
While fasting is one of the core disciplines of Lent and of the Christian life, it can seem like a daunting spiritual undertaking. Join us to discuss the history and theology behind this spiritual practice and how keeping a fast in Lent is a guaranteed way to draw closer to God.
March 16th: Instructed Confession
Self-examination is another discipline of the Lenten season, but perhaps nothing is more vulnerable than to share our most intimate failures in the presence of a priest. At our Instructed Confession, we will discuss the spiritual importance of Confession, how it will enrich your relationship with God, and address some of the common worries that keep us from entering the confessional.
March 23rd: Instructed Daily Office
Prayer is not only a pillar of Lent, it is the foundation of the Christian spiritual life. The Anglican tradition has formed Christians for hundreds of years through the practice of praying Morning and Evening Prayer. Join us as we explore these services in a way that will help you not only pray them on your own, but also unveil the spiritual richness of the Daily Office.
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March 30th: Instructed Eucharist
We will conclude our Lenten Teaching Series by walking through the Prayer Book’s service of Holy Eucharist. We will explain the ins and outs of the service, such as why we cross ourselves at certain points in the liturgy. Holy Eucharist will be celebrated in place of Evening Prayer this day.