Lenten Activities and Events 2025

Lenten Activities and Events 2025

Holy Week Worship Schedule – April 13 – 20, 2025

Palm Sunday: We will process from the Labyrinth outside. 8:30 & 10:30 am. Incense alert for the 10:30 service – please be aware that we will use incense indoors at the 10:30 service.

Maundy Thursday: 7 pm; Will also be livestreamed. Overnight Vigil begins at 8 pm. Please sign up for a one hour time slot to keep watch in the chapelNursery Available at 7 pm

Good Friday Stations of the Cross: 12 – 1 pm. Nursery Available

Good Friday: 7 pm; Will also be livestreamed. Nursery Available

Holy Saturday: 12 pm in the chapel

Easter Vigil Sunday at Sunrise: 6 am on the outdoor chapel, with incense.

Easter Sunday: 8:30 & 10:30 am. Nursery Available for both services.

An Invitation to a Holy Lent
Each year we are invited to enter into Lent by, among other things, “reading and meditating on God’s holy Word.”
There are many ways we’re going to do that this year:

Adult Formation

“What happens when you die?” Each week during Lent we’ll talk about how we can prepare for death, and life after death. From “where is heaven,” to planning our funerals, to “how can I support the church financially when I’m gone,” we’re going to look at the many ways life is changed (but not ended!) when we die.

Youth Formation

Our youth will explore the meaning of Lent using the “Wilderness” lessons from the StoryMakers curriculum. Children will discover how God is always faithful, even when life is hard! Workbooks will be provided on Sundays in Children’s Chapel, and during youth meetings.  

Youth will also receive activity calendars from Forward Movement, United Thank Offering, and coloring pages from Illustrated Ministry. 

In addition to these activities, youth ages 11 and up will lead Stations of the Cross on April 6, after the 10:30 Worship Service. Afterwards, youth are encouraged to attend the showing of the documentary “Traces of the Trade” at 12:30-3:30 on Sunday, April 6, at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church.

A God Who’s Near Lenten Devotional

This Lenten season, journey with us as we read through Alan Bentrup’s collection of poetry, “A God Who’s Near.” This devotional experience is designed to draw you closer to Jesus each day. Every day unfolds with the daily collect and lectionary readings, a sonnet that tries to capture the beauty of God’s nearness, and a reflective question to invite deeper introspection and renewal. May these meditations open your heart to grace, inspire your walk of faith, and remind you of the ever-present love that surrounds us all. You can read A God Who’s Near online here, follow us on Facebook, or pick up a printed copy at church.

United Thank Offering Daily Devotional

This Lent, UTO invites you to reflect on the ordinary things in your life and give thanks for them. Those looking for a simple reminder to practice gratitude can sign up to receive one text message each day throughout the Lent season. Sign up at unitedthankoffering.com/lent. Printed copies of the UTO calendars for youth and for adults are available at church as well.

Episcopal Relief & Development’s Lenten Meditations

“Consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds…” as you journey through Episcopal Relief & Development’s Lenten Meditations, written by Jerusalem Jackson Greer.

Stations of the Cross

Each Sunday in Lent at noon, you’re invited into the church to walk the ways of the cross. Get more details and other ways to participate here.

Lenten Choral Evensong on March 18

Join us at 7 pm on Tuesday, March 18, for a very special Lenten Choral Evensong with the Emerging Artists group from St. Martin-in-the-Fields in London. The group is touring through Texas, and wanted to join with a St. Martin’s on this side of the pond.

“St. Martin’s Voices is one of the UK’s finest and most versatile vocal ensembles. As the flagship professional choral ensemble of London’s iconic St. Martin-in-the-Fields, they sing for concerts, broadcasts and special services at St Martin’s and beyond.”

Lenten Service Day – March 22

On the fourth Saturday of each month, 4Saints & Friends Episcopal Food Pantry hosts a mobile distribution. As part of your Lenten observance, consider joining us as we serve our neighbors. 

You can come any time between 9:30 am and 1:00 pm. Join us at 2529 Mount View Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76103.

Traces of the Trade Documentary & Dialogue on April 6, 12:30-3:30 pm     PLEASE REGISTER

The Episcopal Health Foundation in partnership with St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, in Hurst invites you to view the film Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North and engage in dialogue facilitated by DeWolf descendant Dain Perry and wife Constance Perry.

Racial discrimination and systemic racism have profound effects on the health and well-being not only of minority populations, but of our broader communities. EHF is uniquely positioned alongside the Diocese of Texas to partner with congregations to build bridges of health and wholeness into communities. Recognizing our Gospel call to seek and serve Christ in all persons, together we will listen, advise, and work to build healthy communities.

Please register for this free event. Nursery will be available at St. Martin’s from 12-4:30.

Maundy Thursday Overnight Vigil

The overnight watch at the Altar of Repose begins at 8 pm on Thursday, April 17. Please sign up for a one hour time slot to keep watch in the chapel.

Lenten Outreach Project – We need you to be the lifeline for refugee families here in Texas.

On Friday, January 24th, an immediate stop work order issued by the federal government cut off critical funding for work with recently resettled refugees in the U.S. This means families who have been promised refuge and life-saving services in our neighborhoods and communities are now at risk of going hungry and homeless.

This Lent we are working with the Fort Worth office of World Relief, a refugee resettlement agency, to stand urgently in the gap.

Our donations will help provide basic assistance in the form of food, shelter, transportation, and other essential support services to these families living legally right here in our community.

Donate online here. Choose “Lenten Outreach” from the drop down menu.

Lent Madness

This is Lent on the lighter side. A saintly smackdown that you can participate in! Read more and enjoy!

Blessing Bag Ministry

Blessing Bag Ministry

Blessing Bags 3rd Sundays

On the third Sundays of each month we will be making Blessing Bags for the homeless.

This youth led ministry needs lots of hands to make it successful – so come on by the small parish hall after the 10:30 service and help us assemble the bags!

We’ll make 50 bags each month. Half of those will be taken to the JPS Street Medicine Team. The rest are for YOU – our wonderful members to take!

What are they?

Blessing bags are full of necessities such as non-perishable food, hygeine items, etc. The idea is to keep several in your car and hand them to those in need on the streets. The problem of homelessness persists in our city, and these bags are a way to show God’s love to our neighbor.

How can I help?

Each bag costs about $3.75. So this ongoing ministry needs your donations! You can visit our Amazon Wish List online and order items. Or you can purchase items wherever you shop and drop them off at church. You can also donate money through our online giving page. And you can come and help on 3rd Sundays!

Travel-size items needed are:

  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Deodorant
  • Soap
  • Shampoo
  • Comb
  • Hand Wipes
  • Granola Bars
  • Trail Mix
  • Hand Warmers
  • Bottled Water

Donate money online. Please choose “Blessing Bags” from the drop down menu. 

Easter Sunday: Photos & Flowering of the Cross

Easter Sunday: Photos & Flowering of the Cross

All are welcome!

Please join us on Easter Sunday, April 4, as we celebrate Jesus’ birth! Festivities will take place on the front lawn, in front of the sanctuary, starting at 9:30 am before the Drive-in Worship Service

Family Photos

If you would like an Easter family photo, please use the form below to RSVP. Photos will be taken under a decorated arbor on the front lawn and will be emailed to you later that day or early in the week.

Please park in our parking lot by 9:30 am and wait in your car. We will text you when it is your turn for a photo. Please wear masks until you are instructed to take them off. 

Flowering of the Cross

After taking pictures, please proceed to the cross on the lawn. Sunday school teachers will greet children with flowers which they can then place on the cross! 

See you Easter morning!