The Season of Lent
In the season of Lent, we enter into the 40-day fast that Jesus undertook in the wilderness. Through this dedicated period of prayer and self-examination we invite, we open ourselves to God - to allow him to further shape us into the image of Christ. Moving ever closer toward Holy Week and the event of the crucifixion, we surrender our hearts to God to better know Christ's suffering, his surrender and his ultimate sacrifice, for our sake.
The season begins with Ash Wednesday, when we receive the imposition of ashes and are reminded we are but dust and to dust we shall return. During this season, we observe chosen forms of fasting, prayer, service or charity for 40 days, except Sundays, which are considered feast days, year-round.
Figuring out how to keep a holy Lent can be a challenge, but if we move beyond the popular conceptions (and misconceptions), Lent holds the possibility for real change — or to use the church’s word, conversion — in our lives, as well as for rich and lasting spiritual growth.
Lent emerged in our history as a season of final preparation for those who would be baptized at the Great Vigil of Easter. The entire Christian community was highly invested in walking alongside those who were about to commit their lives to Christ. In time, the season took on some extra layers of meaning, and many people now associate it with listening for a deeper awareness of our own failings — how we fall short of the ideals God sets before us — and the need for ongoing repentance and amendment of life. In Lent we step back and consider the ways we need to repent, to turn around — to be converted.
The word “lent” comes from the Anglo-Saxon word lencton, referring to the springtime of the year when the days grow longer and warmer and brighter. Lent, then, is an opportunity to deepen our spiritual practice and accountability in preparation for the renewal of spirit and life, through Christ our Lord, that is to come.
How are we living Christ’s teaching and example in our own lives, in our homes, our churches, our cities, our schools, our places of work?
In what ways have we fallen short, grown stagnant or cold-hearted, or failed to love God by embracing each life as a Divine life, whenever and however we encounter it?
And finally, once we have taken sober and truthful stock of our current spiritual life, we ask with a clear heart: What growth or signs of renewal in our life, in the world, can we whole-heartedly celebrate with gratitude and joy?
These are the kinds of questions we ask ourselves in prayer, in meditation, in quiet reflection during the weeks of Lent.
SOURCES
Daily Prayer for All Seasons - The Episcopal Church’s abbreviated BCP (free download) https://www.episcopalchurch.org/library/document/daily-prayer-all-seasons
Sacred Ordinary Days - by Jenn Giles Kemper https://sacredordinarydays.com/
The season begins with Ash Wednesday, when we receive the imposition of ashes and are reminded we are but dust and to dust we shall return. During this season, we observe chosen forms of fasting, prayer, service or charity for 40 days, except Sundays, which are considered feast days, year-round.
Figuring out how to keep a holy Lent can be a challenge, but if we move beyond the popular conceptions (and misconceptions), Lent holds the possibility for real change — or to use the church’s word, conversion — in our lives, as well as for rich and lasting spiritual growth.
Lent emerged in our history as a season of final preparation for those who would be baptized at the Great Vigil of Easter. The entire Christian community was highly invested in walking alongside those who were about to commit their lives to Christ. In time, the season took on some extra layers of meaning, and many people now associate it with listening for a deeper awareness of our own failings — how we fall short of the ideals God sets before us — and the need for ongoing repentance and amendment of life. In Lent we step back and consider the ways we need to repent, to turn around — to be converted.
The word “lent” comes from the Anglo-Saxon word lencton, referring to the springtime of the year when the days grow longer and warmer and brighter. Lent, then, is an opportunity to deepen our spiritual practice and accountability in preparation for the renewal of spirit and life, through Christ our Lord, that is to come.
How are we living Christ’s teaching and example in our own lives, in our homes, our churches, our cities, our schools, our places of work?
In what ways have we fallen short, grown stagnant or cold-hearted, or failed to love God by embracing each life as a Divine life, whenever and however we encounter it?
And finally, once we have taken sober and truthful stock of our current spiritual life, we ask with a clear heart: What growth or signs of renewal in our life, in the world, can we whole-heartedly celebrate with gratitude and joy?
These are the kinds of questions we ask ourselves in prayer, in meditation, in quiet reflection during the weeks of Lent.
SOURCES
Daily Prayer for All Seasons - The Episcopal Church’s abbreviated BCP (free download) https://www.episcopalchurch.org/library/document/daily-prayer-all-seasons
Sacred Ordinary Days - by Jenn Giles Kemper https://sacredordinarydays.com/
Lent Programs & Services
Every Sunday, March 10 through April 14
Lenten Series: Welcome to the Episcopal Church. Following the 10 a.m. service in the Chapter Room. See Program info on this page, right. Weekdays, Monday-Friday 12:10 p.m. Holy Eucharist in the Chapel. March 11 through April 18 Note; no 12:10pm service on Tuesday, April 16. Wednesday evenings 6:30 p.m. Evening Prayer in the Church. 7:00 p.m. Supper & Program: Embracing an Adult Faith: In the Parish Hall. March 13 through April 17 See Program info on this page, right. Friday evenings 6:30 p.m. Stations of the Cross in the Church. March 8 through April 12 A devotion to the Passion of Christ, recalling a series of events at the end of Jesus' life from his condemnation to his burial. SPECIAL EVENSONG - APRIL 10
6:30 p.m. Evensong with special guest choir
Evensong in the church, with guest St. Catherine's College Girls Choir, Cambridge, the first college-based choir for girls in the UK. https://www.caths.cam.ac.uk/about-us/music/girls-choir PALM SUNDAY - APRIL 14
Procession of the Palms, reading of the Passion.
8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Gather outside, at the corner of Bay and Montecito. 10:00 a.m. Choral Eucharist Gather on the Veterans Green, across the street. HOLY WEEKHoly Monday -April 15
12:10 p.m. Holy Eucharist in the Chapel. Holy Tuesday -April 16 No services today. Holy Wednesday – April 17 12:10 p.m. Holy Eucharist in the Chapel. 7:00 p.m. The Service of Tenebrae, Extinguishing of the Light in the Church. Sung chants, hymns, readings, and the gradual extinguishing of candles to complete darkness. With St. Paul's Schola Cantorum Maundy Thursday – April 18 12:10 p.m. Holy Eucharist in the Chapel. 7:00 p.m. Maundy Thursday Liturgy in the Church. Commemorate the Last Supper, ritual Washing of Feet, and Stripping of the Altar. Anthems: Tallis, if ye love me; Duruflé, Ubi caritas; Bruckner, Christus factus est; Victoria, Unus ex discipulis meis. With St. Paul's Chancel Choir. Good Friday – April 19 12:00 Noon-3:00 p.m. Good Friday Liturgy in the Church. Traditional three hour service. The Passion Gospel, with Veneration of the Cross. Stainer, The Cruxifixion. Anthems: Tippett, Deep River; Casals, O Vos Omnes; Howells, O Savior of the World (Requiem); Harris, Bring Us, O Lord, God. With St. Paul's Chancel Choir. Guest soloists Michael Desnoyers, tenor; Nik Nackely, baritone; Evangeline Wolfe, organ. 3:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross in the Church. A devotion to the Passion of Christ, recalling a series of events at the end of Jesus' life from his condemnation to his burial. Holy Saturday – April 20 8:00 p.m. The Great Vigil of Easter in the Church. With kindling of New Fire, Exultet, the First Mass of Easter, and Baptisms, too! Meet on the front step of the darkened church, for the lighting of the ritual fire. Anthems: Handel, Hallelujah; Byrd, Sing joyfully; Harris, Faire is the Heaven. With St. Paul's Chancel Choir. Easter Sunday – April 21 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist in the Church. 10:00 a.m. Festival Eucharist in the Church. CHRIST IS RISEN! Join the Celebration! Short Communion Service by Charles Wood. Anthems: Byrd, Sing joyfully; Asola, Surrexit pastor bonus. With St. Paul's Chancel Choir. Easter Egg Hunt and Festive Pot Luck Coffee Hour follow the 10:00 a.m. service. |
Baking Communion Bread during Lent
This year for the Sunday and Weekday Eucharist services, we will be using homemade bread. If you would like to participate in this special ministry, please contact Father Wilson, office phone: (510) 834-4314 x 502, email: rector@stpaulsoakland.com.
SUNDAY LENTEN SERIES:
Welcome to the Episcopal Church
In the Chapter Room,
following the 10:00 a.m. Service Familiarize yourself with the basics of the Episcopalian Church. This new introduction covers the history, structure, spirituality, worship, and outreach of the Episcopal Church in a straightforward, conversational tone. Each chapter includes study questions, making it an excellent resource for adult parish study and inquirer’s classes. Part of the journey in the Church is learning the stories: where it came from, what it believes, how it worships, how it understands the Bible and God, how it reaches out to the rest of the world. Many of the stories are contained in this book. Some of them may have much in common with your own story, and help you understand why you were drawn here, and how your story might become a part of the larger story. From an Episcopal perspective Christopher L Webber explores our history, worship, beliefs, spiritual life, organization of the church, mission and outreach, and the way we read and understand the Bible. Christopher Weber is an Episcopal priest has served inner-city, sub-urban, and overseas parishes. March 10 History March 17 Worship March 24 The Bible March 31 Teachings April 7 Spirituality Wednesdays during Lent:
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CONTEMPLATIONS FOR LENT
Meditation is a form of prayer; an act of love, an effortless surrender into receptivity, into openness. Allow everything to simply be. Drop all your resistance to the present moment.
- Laurence Freeman, Christian Meditation
We do not know how to pray, but the Spirit itself prays within us. - Romans 8:26
Let our journey be a perpetual one. Let us die to the world daily. Let us say with the apostle, “I die every day” (1 Cor 15:31).
I am not long for this world. I am passing through, holding on to nothing, grateful for everything.
- Jacques-Benigne Bossuet, Meditations for Lent
Open Thy fount, eternal Dove,
And overflow this heart of mine,
Enlarging as it fills with Thee,
Till in one blaze of charity
Care and remorse are lost, like motes in light divine.
- John Keble (1792-1866)
Meditation is a form of prayer; an act of love, an effortless surrender into receptivity, into openness. Allow everything to simply be. Drop all your resistance to the present moment.
- Laurence Freeman, Christian Meditation
We do not know how to pray, but the Spirit itself prays within us. - Romans 8:26
Let our journey be a perpetual one. Let us die to the world daily. Let us say with the apostle, “I die every day” (1 Cor 15:31).
I am not long for this world. I am passing through, holding on to nothing, grateful for everything.
- Jacques-Benigne Bossuet, Meditations for Lent
Open Thy fount, eternal Dove,
And overflow this heart of mine,
Enlarging as it fills with Thee,
Till in one blaze of charity
Care and remorse are lost, like motes in light divine.
- John Keble (1792-1866)
Take a walk in St. Paul's natural garden Labyrinth.