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, March 4, 2025
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.
Advance tickets are available at a discounted price until March 3 ($8 per adult, $4 per child) online here.
Tickets are also available at the Gift Shoppe and at the door ($10 per adult, $5 per child). Children are age 15 and under. Max Family Price: $26 (2 adults, 3+ kids) ($30 at the door)
United Thank Offering
Boxes will be distributed Sunday, March 9 in The Church narthex and the Parish Life Center narthex. Find UTO envelopes in The Church pews. Boxes 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, March 5, 2025
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.
Riverway Keeping the Kalendar - Contemporary Service
Holy Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes
6 p.m. • Parish Life Center
Our contemporary service provides a more relaxed worship experience in the Anglican tradition. Join us for worship as we impart ashes and take the Eucharist.
Student Ministries Ash Wednesday Supper
and Riverway Eucharist Service with Imposition of Ashes
5:30 p.m.
Student Life Center, Dinner
Parish Life Center, Program
Join our Student Ministries for a light soup supper followed by worship at the Riverway Ash Wednesday service in the Parish Life Center.
Lenten Quiet Day
Jesus' Parables of the Grace
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, March 8, 2025
9 a.m.-noon
Parish Life Center
Grace is one of those tricky words that means more than one thing. It is God’s undeserved favor and a quality of God. It is power given for day-to-day living; yet, as a gift, grace cannot be a prize for which we grasp or achieve. And it is in Lent each year that we encounter anew our need for grace, no matter its definition, as we soberly reflect on our lives. St. Martin’s Clergy will meditate on three different of Jesus’ parables on grace. Time is 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 [email protected] or 713-830-4131.
Stations of the Cross
Sundays, before and after the morning services.
Wednesdays, March 12, 19, and 26 and April 2 and 9
4:30-5:30 p.m.
Holy Week
Monday, April 14, Tuesday, April 15 and Thursday, April 17
11 a.m.-1 p.m.
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 [email protected].
Wednesday Lenten Series
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus:
The Seven Christian Habits
This Lent, we invite you to join your Church family on Wednesday evenings as we seek to re-focus our lives and hearts on Jesus. Together, we’ll explore the “Seven Christian Habits” that we emphasize at St. Martin’s, talking about the poor habits that may lead us to lose sight of Jesus and the good practices God has given the church to draw us into a closer relationship with Him.
Dinner ($10) • 5–6:15 p.m. • Bagby Parish Hall
Holy Eucharist • 5:30 p.m. • The Church
Program • 6:15 p.m. • Bagby Parish Hall
Sign up for dinner here or purchase tickets at the Gift Shoppe by Tuesday.
March 12: Reclaiming Attention: Worship and Prayer led by the Rev. Dr. Jordan Hylden
March 19: Living in the Word led by the Rev. Dr. Suse McBay
March 26: Christian Service for Busy People led by the Rev. Dr. Michael Lloyd
April 2: Life Together in a Lonely World led by the Rev. Wesley Arning
April 9: God’s Gifts and Generous Living led by the Rev. Sharron Cox
A Very Special
Lenten Retreat
Icon Writing with Teresa Harrison
Monday–Thursday, March 24-27
8:30 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.
Friday, March 28
8:30 a.m.– 2 p.m.
Teresa Harrison returns to St. Martin’s to lead a course in the ancient technique of icon writing. One of the most familiar of the Gospel of John’s seven “I AM” word pictures Jesus used to describe his ministry to the world, Jesus the Good Shepherd is a perfect icon to write during the 40 days of Lent when we grow more aware of the love and sacrifice Jesus made for all.
This workshop is full. To be placed on the waitlist, please email Tracee Tindol.
Palm Cross Workshop
Stripping of the Palms and Palm Cross Making
Friday, April 11
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 call in advance to ensure volunteers are still needed