LENT 2019
"The first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord's passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a season of penitence and fasting. This season of Lent provided a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism. It was also a time when those who, because of notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to the fellowship of the Church. Thereby the whole congregation was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need which all Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith." Book of Common Prayer p. 265
Lenten Schedule 2019
Ash Wednesday, Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Service at 10:30 AM and 7:30 PM
This is the first day of Lent. Occurring 46 days before Easter, it is a moveable fast that can fall as early as February 4 and as late as March 10. According to the canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke; Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the desert, where he endured temptation by Satan. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of this 40-day liturgical period of prayer and fasting or abstinence. Of the 46 days until Easter, six are Sundays. As the Christian Sabbath, Sundays are not included in the fasting period and are instead "feast" days during Lent. Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of adherents as a celebration and reminder of human mortality, and as a sign of mourning and repentance to God. The ashes used are typically gathered from the burning of the palms from the previous year's Palm Sunday.
Fasting Fridays, Fridays in Lent, starting March 8, 2019
Sunrise to Sunset
According to the Book of Common Prayer, we are all invited "to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word" (BCP, p. 265). Join us this year in celebrating Fasting Fridays, as we fast from sunrise to sunset, and devote the evening to prayer, study, and reflection. You are invited to break your fast with us during Lenten Study immediately following Stations of the Cross.
Stations of the Cross, Fridays in Lent, starting March 8, 2019
7:30 PM
The Stations of the Cross refer to the depiction of the final hours of Jesus. This Lent, you are invited to make a spiritual pilgrimage of prayer as we journey through the chief scenes of Christ's suffering and death on his way to Calvary.
Lenten Study, Fridays in Lent, starting March 8, 2019
Immediately following Stations of the Cross, approximately 8:15 PM
Love the Word! Learn the Word! Live the Word! If you enjoyed the 40 Days of Prayer series, you will love 40 Days in the Word this Lenten Season. We will learn how to be “doers” of God’s Word. Please join us on Fridays after Stations of the Cross for this wonderful series. Study guidebooks will soon be available for purchase for $20. Please see Paula Sinclair or Shirley Jones for more information.
Jamaica Deanery Lenten Service Schedule 2019
‘The Way of Love’ (John 14: 23)
March 13
March 20
March 27
April 3
April 10
May 30
Grace Church, Jamaica
Saint Alban the Martyr and Saint Joseph’s
Saint John’s and Saint David’s
Saint James the Less and Saint Stephen’s
Saint Gabriel’s
Saint Peter’s (Ascension Day)
All services begin at 7:30 PM
Suggested Readings for Lent
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Sense and Sensibility: A Lenten Exploration, by Sam Portaro
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Hanging by a Thread: The Questions of the Cross, by Samual Wells
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Getting to Know Jesus (Again): Meditations for Lent, by Peter M. Wallace
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Living the Way of Love: A 40 Day Devotional, by Mary Bea Sullivan
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Becoming Who I Am: Reflections on Wholeness and Embracing Our Divine Stories, by Beth-Sarah Wright
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Love Set Free: Meditations on the Passion According to St. John: Martin L. Smith
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The Desert: An Anthology for Lent, by John Moses
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Living into God’s Dream: Dismantling Racism in America, Edited by Catherine Meeks
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Suggested Bible Daily Meditation Books
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Day by Day From Forward Movement
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The Upper Room Dailey Devotional Guide, by the Upper Room
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The Bible Challenge by Marek P. Zabriskie
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The Path: A Journey Through the Bible from Forward Movement
Holy Week 2019
Holy Week is the last week of Lent before Easter, beginning on Palm Sunday and ending on Holy Saturday. Holy Week is the part of the Church Year where Jesus' final moments are commemorated. The final three days of Holy Week are part of the Paschal Triduum. Holy Week consists of the following events:
Palm Sunday, April 14, 2019
Service at 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM
On the sixth Sunday of Lent we commemorate Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Worship services include the Blessing of the Palms and a procession.
Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday), April 18, 2019
Holy Eucharist at 7:30 PM
Silent Watch from 10:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Youth Overnight from 10:00 PM to 9:00 AM
The name "Maundy Thursday" is derived from Jesus "mandate" to love one another as he loves us. This day celebrates Jesus' institution of the sacrament of Holy Eucharist.
Good Friday of the Lord's Passion, April 19, 2019
Good Friday Service and Vigil at 12:00 PM
A fasting day of the Church commemorating Jesus' crucifixion and death. Worship customs include Veneration of the Cross, communion from the reserved Maundy Thursday host, reading or singing excerpts of the Passion story from John's gospel and a meditation on the Seven Last Word of Jesus.
Holy Saturday, April 20, 2019
Easter Vigil with Baptism at 8:00 AM
This is the final day of both Holy Week and the Triduum. There are few specific customs associated with Holy Saturday, except that it is the final night before the Feast of the Resurrection, which begins at the Great Easter Vigil.
Easter Sunday, April 14, 2019
Service at 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM
Each service will be followed by an Easter Egg Hunt.