The liturgical calendar is a wonderful gift that helps us build the spiritual muscle memory necessary to live through life’s great joys and deep sorrows, and to have the knowledge that our faith, our community, and God will carry us through it all. The liturgical season of Lent reminds us that God chose to live through the unspeakable horrors that life can bring, and in doing so, demonstrates God’s presence with us when we, too, find life’s challenges to be tremendous. Entering into our second Lent in the time of a Pandemic, perhaps we especially need the rhythms of reflection, quiet, and prayer that this season holds. Self-examination and repentance may take on different meanings as we examine ourselves and our world in light of our now obvious interconnectedness. As we walk this season together, we know sadness, we see heartbreak, and we hold up community.
Our tradition has always been to give up something for Lent – to take on a fast to open up space within us to know Christ anew. In some ways, it feels as if we have been on a year-long fast and anything else would be superfluous at best, or completely demoralizing at worst. We can, however, commit to a new or different spiritual practice for the season. This may bring Christ’s presence to us in a new way, and may also break the rhythm of what life has become in a way that could be helpful. The purpose of Lenten examination and repentance is, of course, to bring us to renewal and rebirth – to bring us to the joy of Easter resurrection.
This guide is meant to be a tool for you this season. We pray it assists you in preparing for, and practicing your faith through Lent, Holy Week, and Easter. Blessings to you.
To Download a PDF of the Lent Devotional
Lenten Quiet Time
Lenten Quiet Time
For many people, the Fridays in Lent are days of additional/special devotion because we observe Jesus' death on the cross on Good Friday. At StGs, it has become our tradition to observe the Stations of the Cross each Friday in Lent at 7pm. This...
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Stations of the Cross
At StGs, it has become our tradition to observe the Stations of the Cross each Friday in Lent at 7pm. This year, we will once again observe the Stations on Zoom - with beautiful art, prayerful devotions, and cello music. We will use different dev...
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Lenten Devotional Daily Reflections
Thursday, March 4, 2021
God's treasures
An excerpt from Exodus 19:5-6a (NRSV): Now therefore, if you obey my voice and k eep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine, but you shall be for me a prie...
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Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Sing and praise
An excerpt from Psalm 105:1-2 (NRSV): O give thanks to the Lord, call on his name, make known his deeds among the peoples. Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wonderful works. Reflection from Ana Soonthornsi...
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Tuesday, March 2, 2021
Faith
An excerpt from Hebrews 11:1 (NRSV): Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Reflection from Sudi Johnson: As I write this reflection, it is the 19th anniversary of my husband’s d...
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Monday, March 1, 2021
Laughter and joy
An excerpt from Genesis 21:6 (NRSV): Sarah said, “God has brought laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me.”
Reflection from Kathryn Duncan: I chose this symphonic piece to go with this read...
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Saturday, February 27, 2021
Jesus the Messiah
An excerpt from Mark 8:27-30 (NRSV) Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they answered him, “...
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Friday, February 26, 2021
The whole world worships
An excerpt from Psalm 22-27-29 (NRSV) All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord; and all the families of the nations shall worship before him. For dominion belongs to the Lord, and he rules ...
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Thursday, February 25, 2021
Grace of forgiveness
An excerpt from Romans 3:23-24 (NRSV) For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jes...
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Wednesday, February 24, 2021
God’s might
An excerpt from Psalm 77:11-14 (NRSV) I will call to mind the deeds of the Lord; I will remember your wonders of old. I will meditate on all your work, and muse on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god i...
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Tuesday, February 23, 2021
Blessing in loving others
An excerpt from 1 Peter 3:8-9 (NRSV) Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contr...
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Monday, February 22, 2021
Mercy and grace
An excerpt from Ephesians 2:4-5 (NRSV) God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been...
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Saturday, February 20, 2021
Call to repentance
An excerpt from Matthew 9:12b-13 (NRSV) Jesus said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have c...
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Friday, February 19, 2021
Persistence in proclamation
An excerpt from 2 Timothy 4:1-2 (NRSV) In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the messa...
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Thursday, February 18, 2021
Penitence and prayer
An excerpt from Daniel 9:3 (NRSV) Then I turned to the Lord God, to seek an answer by prayer and supplication with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.
Reflection from Marjie Koons: Not quite sure about my finding...
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Ash Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Renewal/purification
An excerpt from Psalm 51:10 (NRSV) Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.
Reflection from Meredith Potter: A psychologist recently suggested that adopting and repeating a ma...
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