Lent at Saint Alban’s

The season of Lent is one of the oldest traditions in the Church calendar.

In the early 3rd Century, Church father Irenaeus wrote about a time of fasting, penitence and self-denial building up to Easter. Irenaeus noted that a season of preparation had been observed since the time of the forefathers of the Church – possibly during the lifetime of the twelve Apostles themselves.

Ash Wednesday

We continue that ancient tradition when Lent begins this year on March 4, Ash Wednesday. At St. Alban’s, we will have three services on March 4 with Imposition of Ashes: 12 noon, 5:30pm (special children’s service), and 7:00pm. (You may also “drop in” that morning at 7:00am for imposition of ashes.)

Lenten Disciplines

The season of Lent is, indeed, a time when we give up and take on:

We give up those things which lead us away from God or create obstacles to being disciples of Jesus.
And we take on those things which are beneficial to us and to our relationship with God.

And so the time to be thinking of a discipline for Lent is now, before Lent. Spend some time and take a spiritual inventory. Scrutinize your spiritual life: What are my strengths and where am I weakest in my spiritual life?

Ask yourself the question, “What habit or way of living comes between God and me, and how can I strengthen and deepen my relationship with God and others?”

Resources for Lent

St. Alban’s has a variety of resources and programming to help make your Lenten observance more fulfilling.

Lenten Quiet Morning

Our Lenten Quiet Morning, from 8:30am to 1:30pm on Saturday, March 8, will give you a time and a place to get away from the busy-ness of our lives and spend some quiet time focusing on our relationships with God and with each other.

Wednesday Evening Lent Series

For four weeks starting March 12, we will be holding a special program series in the Parish Hall every Wednesday.

Each week, join us in the Nave at 6pm for Stations of the Cross, then in the parish hall at 6:30pm for soup supper and the presentation at 7:00pm. (Also, in-person confession is available on Wednesdays at 5:30, or any other time by appointment.)

March 12:
Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs

During Lent and Holy Week, a great deal of our service music will be set to Gregorian chant. Join Fr. Paul as he explains the origins of this ancient art form and how it was used in early monastic communities, especially in the daily office.

March 19, March 26, April 2:
The Communion of Saints at a Theater Near You

Fr. Jeff will examine how the lives of the saints have been portrayed on the silver screen and how those depictions change over time. We’ll look at some saints depicted in film from the Anglican, Roman Catholic and Orthodox traditions including St. Francis, Joan of Arc, Alfred the Great, Hildegard von Bingen, Thomas Beckett, William Wilberforce, Andrej Rubleev and others.

NOTE: Clergy will also offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) on Wednesdays at 5:30pm during Lent, or at any other time by appointment.

Lent Madness

Lent Madness is a great way to learn about Christians in ages past, and to see how they lived their lives as disciples of Jesus. Learn more online and be sure to sign up for the emails so you can vote every day on which saint should “win”!