Lent
Lent
Lent is a 40-day observance beginning with Ash Wednesday where Episcopalians and Christians around the world acknowledge their failings, faults and sins. On Ash Wednesday, Clergy impose ashes on worshipers’ forehead, making the sign of the cross. The liturgical color of the season is purple. The color purple represents the penitent mood of Lent.
Shrove Tuesday
Tuesday, Feb. 17
5:30-7 p.m.
Bagby Parish Hall
All Parishioners are invited to attend this family gathering, which includes a traditional pancake dinner, red beans and rice, games, and prizes.
Adults: $10
Children: $5
Family Maximum: $25
RSVP your seats below and pay at the door.
United Thank Offering
During Lent, find UTO envelopes in The Church pews and boxes in the Narthexes of The Church and Parish Life Center. Boxes and envelopes will be collected on Easter morning.
The United Thank Offering is a ministry of The Episcopal Church that began in 1883. Through UTO, individuals are invited to embrace and deepen a personal daily spiritual discipline of gratitude. UTO encourages people to notice the good things that happen daily, thank God, and make an offering in a UTO Blue Box.
One hundred percent of the collected funds are distributed throughout The Episcopal Church and Provinces of the Anglican Communion.
Ash Wednesday Services
Wednesday, Feb. 18
The first day of Lent is a special day of Holy Obligation that begins a 40-day observance where Christians around the world acknowledge their failings, faults and sins. In these somber services, Clergy will impose ashes on your forehead, making the mark of the cross.
Traditional Worship
Holy Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes
7 a.m., noon* and 6 p.m. • The Church
*The noon service will be livestreamed.
Imposition of Ashes for Young Families
5:30 p.m. • Crosswalk Garden
Lenten Quiet Day
The Three "Rs" of Lent
Lenten Quiet Day is a reflective day of prayer, meditation and contemplation. This day is central to St. Martin’s Lent traditions and is sponsored by St. Martin's Chapter of OSL.
Saturday, Feb. 21
9 a.m.-noon
Parish Life Center
An old adage describing the fundamentals of learning was “Reading, (W)riting and (A)rithmetic.” Those three “Rs” were foundational in the schooling of children for many generations.
The season of Lent has its own three “Rs” of behaviors or practices that are fundamental for Christians of all ages – Reflection, Repentance and Reconciliation. Too often, we focus on one of these fundamentals at the expense of others. If we seek the restoration for which we hope and pray during these 40 days of Lent, we should focus on all three basic steps toward the renewal of life in Christ.
St. Martin’s Clergy will supply meditations on these three “Rs” of Lent. Time will be allocated after each presentation for quiet prayer and reflection. The Quiet Day will end with Noonday Prayer.
For more information, please contact the Rev. Sharron L. Cox at scox@smec.org or 713-830-4131.
Guided Stations of the Cross
Wednesdays, Feb. 25, March 4, 11, 18 and 25
5 p.m.
The Church
Parishioners and guests are invited to make their pilgrimage along the Via Dolorosa, or “Way of Sorrows,” during Lent and Holy Week. The Stations of the Cross depict the final hours (or Passion) of Jesus and the devotion commemorating the Passion.
For more information, contact Barbara Piana at 713-830-4116 or bpiana@smec.org.
Wednesday Lenten Series
The Foolishness of the Cross
In the service for Good Friday, we say together a centuries-old prayer attributed to St. Francis: “We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.” During Lent, we’ll move from our walk through the life and teachings of Jesus to focus on the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus. What does it mean to say that Christ has redeemed the world by His holy cross? Join us for this series paired together with our Sunday morning Theology for Life as we reflect on the central saving mystery of our faith.
| Evening Prayer | 4:30–4:50 p.m. | Christ Chapel |
| Stations of the Cross | 5–5:20 p.m. | The Church |
| Holy Eucharist | 5:30–6 p.m. | The Church |
| Dinner | 5–6:16 p.m. | Bagby Parish Hall |
| Adult Program | 6:15–7 p.m. | Bagby Parish Hall |
| Youth Program | 6–8 p.m. | Student Life Center |
| Children's Program | 6–7 p.m. | Student Life Center |
Feb. 25: The Rev. Dane Boston
March 4: The Rev. Dr. Jordan Hylden
March 11: The Rt. Rev. Dr. George Sumner
March 18: The Rev. Dr. Jim Jackson
March 25: The Rev. Dr. Dave Peterson
A Very Special
Lenten Retreat
Icon Writing with Teresa Harrison
Monday–Thursday, March 1-4
8:30 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.
Friday, March 5
8:30 a.m.– 2 p.m.
“…[F]or I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” — Matthew 25:35-36
Registration is Now Open!
Join acclaimed iconographer, Teresa Harrison, for St. Martin’s annual Lenten Icon Writing Retreat. This year’s retreat is especially meaningful as participants will write an icon of our patron saint, St. Martin of Tours, haring his cloak with a beggar — a powerful image of Christ’s call to compassion.
The retreat includes daily Eucharist, prayer, silence and lively conversation, all art supplies and lunch at Café St. Martin’s Monday through Friday. The $495 registration fee includes all materials.
Because the retreat fills quickly, we encourage early registration. Cancellations after Jan. 1 may not be refunded if the space cannot be filled.
Deanna Lawson
Family Ministries and Spiritual Formation Coordinator
dlawson@smec.org
713-985-3807
Palm Cross Workshop
Stripping of the Palms and Palm Cross Making
Friday, March 27
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Student Life Center
Sign up to participate here.
Join members of the Altar Guild as volunteers strip, divide the fronds and make palm crosses to distribute on Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday. This annual tradition is a fun and meaningful time of fellowship and service. Come and go as you can and please bring scissors.
If planning to attend after 1 p.m., please contact Susan Peterson at (713) 899-7676 or apetersoniii@comcast.net in advance to ensure volunteers are still needed.