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.
Lenten Events and Activities
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, live entertainment, children’s activities and prizes.
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.
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.
Stations of the Cross
Wednesdays, Feb. 25, March 4, 11, 18 and 25
4:30-5:30 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 2025. 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.
A Very Special
Lenten Retreat
Icon Writing with Teresa Harrison
Monday–Thursday, March 23-26
8:30 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.
Friday, March 27
8:30 a.m.– 2 p.m.
St. Martin’s welcomes again the gifted iconographer, Teresa Harrison, for our annual Lenten Icon Writing Retreat. This year, retreatants will have the opportunity to select between two icons, the Theotokos and “Christ the Divine Architect.” The Theotokos, or “God-Bearer,” is an ancient icon depicting Mother and Child and revealing Mary’s deep bond with Christ. Based on ancient icons and illuminated manuscripts, “Christ the Divine Architect” represents the Logos (John 1:1-3) at the creation of the universe and is a more contemporary icon.
No artistic or painting skills are required! Over this five-day retreat, there will be daily Eucharist, prayer, silence and lively conversation, free time and social time. Icons will be written in acrylic paint and gold leaf, a medium that resembles the traditional egg tempera. The cost of all art supplies is included in the $495 registration fee, as is lunch at Café St. Martin’s Monday through Friday. Students need to bring a small desk lamp and an apron or smock.
The retreat is now full. Please click the button below to inquire about the wait list.
Palm Cross Workshop
Stripping of the Palms and Palm Cross Making
Friday, March 27
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Student Life Center
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.