The season of Lent has a holy complexity. It’s a season of preparation and penitence. It’s about repentance and renewal. It can involve giving something up and taking something on. It’s about renewed spiritual practice to deepen spiritual growth. It’s about shedding habits that get in the way of spiritual growth. Some folks regard Lent as a downer. Others find in it the possibility of new life.

When we worship – hearing the Word of God in scripture, offering our prayers and gathered by Jesus in the sacrament of communion – we discover that worship leads to witness in this world; working to bring the kingdom into view, making God’s love both visible and tangible. That work will, in turn, push us (sometimes less gently than we might like) to grow: In faith, in giving, in knowledge and, through it all, in our faith and in our understanding of ourselves and one another. Then will we be led back to God and find ourselves on our knees in prayer.

This Lent, we invite you to pray, work and grow in faith, and to be renewed in your spiritual life. And we offer many ways to help you do so.

Ways you can observe a Holy Lent

Daily Devotions

Reflections on scripture will appear in your inbox each day throughout Lent. Thoughtfully written by parishioners, clergy, and staff, these pieces are meant to give you a meditative moment at the start of your day. They are intended to help you prepare, interpret, and enter into this Lenten season.

In addition to the emails, hard copies of all 47 devotions will be available in the Narthex.

Download the complete Lenten Devotional

Serve Others

Jesus told his disciples “whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me.” This Lent, encounter Christ through serving others. At St. James’, there are a variety of ways to serve—preparing meals for people experiencing food insecurity, getting clean clothes and toiletries to those who need them, and building relationships with children whose parents are incarcerated, just to name a few. This Lent, make a commitment to volunteer. Sign up for a ministry you’ve never tried, or commit to attend a program regularly. You can learn more and sign up for our mission ministries here.

Not sure where to begin? Email Co’Relous Bryant.

The Rite of Reconciliation (Confession)

At St. James’, it is a customary Lenten practice to schedule a time for Confession with a priest using the Book of Common Prayer‘s Rite of Reconciliation (BCP p. 447). To learn more or to schedule a time with the clergy, email pastoralcare@stjames.org.

Stations of the Cross: Guided Meditation

Thursdays beginning March 2 • 6:00 p.m.

The Way of the Cross: join our clergy every Thursday until Holy Week at 6:00 p.m. to walk, observe, and meditate on the Stations of the Cross, commissioned by a St. James’ parishioner and painted by Camilla Armstrong. For those who are unable to attend, you may also do a self-guided walk-through by picking up a “Way of the Cross” guide in the back of the chapel.

Morning and Evening Prayer

Daily Monday-Friday
8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. | via Zoom

If you’re looking for a way to observe Lent, consider joining the group the meets by Zoom for Morning and Evening prayer each weekday. It’s a wonderful way to incorporate the spiritual life at the beginning and end of the day. Led by parishioners, these 20-minute services include readings from scripture and opportunity for prayers.

Morning Prayer

https://zoom.us/j/777181361
Meeting ID: 777 181 361
Passcode: stjames
By phone: 1-646-558-8656

Evening Prayer

https://zoom.us/j/535861983
Meeting ID: 535 861 983
Passcode: stjames
By phone: 1-646-558-8656

Join Bible Study and the Sunday Forum

Wednesday Morning Bible Study

8:30-9:30 a.m. | Sunderland Hall + online via Zoom

Meeting ID: 294 244 486 • Passcode: stjames

The Sunday Forum

10:30-11 a.m. | Coburn Hall

Listening Hearts: A Lenten reading group

This Lent, we invite parishioners to read Listening Hearts: Discerning Call in Community, a short and important book on discernment, available to purchase online. Discussion sessions will take place on Sundays, March 12 and 19 at 1:00 p.m. in the Freeman Room. Contact Jay Sidebotham with questions.

The Things He Did: St. Jamesians Lenten Book Study

Throughout the season of Lent, the St. Jamesians will be reading through The Things He Did by Stephen Cottrell and meet towards the end of Lent to discuss. Copies are available at Parish reception for a suggested donation of $10 (Venmo @Calvin-Bushman).

God and Guns: Reading Glasses book group with Kevin Booker

Join this Lenten reading group to explore selections from God and Guns: The Bible Against American Gun Culture, and for prayer, meditation, and reflection. The group will meet for six sessions beginning on Sunday, February 19 from 4:00-5:30 p.m. in Sunderland Hall. For more information or to join, contact Booker at readingglasses@gmx.com.

Looking toward Holy Week

Click and drag boxes below to access the service schedule.

Palm Sunday

8:00 a.m. | Holy Eucharist, Rite I (Chapel)
10:00 a.m. | Palm Procession and Holy Eucharist, Rite II
6:00 p.m. | Holy Eucharist, Rite II

Holy Monday

8:00 a.m. | Holy Eucharist, Rite I (Chapel)

Holy Tuesday

8:00 a.m. | Holy Eucharist, Rite I (Chapel)

Holy Wednesday

8:00 a.m. | Holy Eucharist, Rite I (Chapel)
7:00 p.m. | Tenebrae

Maundy Thursday

4:45 p.m. | Children’s Eucharist & Footwashing
7:00 p.m. | Holy Eucharist & Footwashing, Rite II

Good Friday

8:00 a.m. | Liturgy and Veneration
12:00 p.m. | Three Hour Devotion
4:00 p.m. | Children’s Service

Holy Saturday

9:00 a.m | Liturgy in Columbarium
7:00 p.m. | Vigil & First Eucharist

Easter Sunday

8:00 a.m. | Holy Eucharist, Rite I
9:10 a.m. | Festal Holy Eucharist, Rite II
11:15 a.m. | Festal Holy Eucharist, Rite I
6:00 p.m. | Holy Eucharist, Rite II