Through Lent Together in 2026
“Our only desire and our one choice should be this: I want and I choose what better leads to the deepening of God’s life in me”.
St. Ignatius of Loyola, -from the beginning of the Spiritual Exercises.
The word LENT comes from an ancient word meaning `Spring`. This season of the year is given to us as a springtime for our faith; an opportunity to consider prayerfully how we may become more open to the good work which God has begun within us. At the Ash Wednesday Service, we are given the following charge: “Brothers and sisters in Christ, since early days Christians have observed with great devotion the time of our Lord’s passion and resurrection and prepared for this by a season of penitence and fasting. By carefully keeping these days, Christians take to heart the call to repentance and the assurance of forgiveness proclaimed in the gospel and so grow in faith and in devotion to our Lord. I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, 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.”
Letting this Lent be about God
This Lent, why not approach the practices of prayer, giving and fasting with an eye to what God wants to do in order to transform US? It`s very easy to approach Lent as though it were a series of New Year’s resolutions. But Lent is not about self-improvement. Lent is a time of conversion in which, we might say, God is in the driving seat.
After all, Lent is a preparation for the season of Easter and in Easter we see that Jesus comes to save us, despite ourselves. Peter swears up and down that he will never betray Jesus but then he does. A thief on the cross ends up being the first to be in Heaven with Jesus; a most unexpected consolation. Women go to the empty tomb to mourn and end up being missioned by Jesus, resurrected. Jesus reconciles with Peter despite the betrayals and then gives him a central place in Church leadership. Easter is full of the unpredictable. Easter is a lot of amazing, beautiful surprises with the Resurrection at its heart.
If this is true, then again, Lent is not a project of self-improvement. Rather, it’s a time for allowing God to transform us and a time of intentional cooperation with God’s graces, where God leads and we follow. Like a good dance partner, we can choose to follow or not but God is always in the lead. What might this look like in practice? Essentially, a Lent of following God’s lead must be grounded in prayer.
You are invited to consider the following which are available this year:
Ash Wednesday (18th February)
Beginning Lent Together in Worship….
- 10.00am Holy Communion (with the imposition of Ashes) at St. Paul`s
- 7.00pm Holy Communion (with the imposition of Ashes) at St. Paul`s
- 7.00pm Holy Communion (with the imposition of Ashes) at St. Peter`s Field Broughton
Daily Prayer @ 8.30am and 5.00pm You will be welcome to join in Prayer at St. Paul`s Church
- 8.30am Monday to Wednesday (Variations will be on the weekly sheet) Readings & Prayers to begin the day.
- 5.00pm Monday to Wednesday (Variations will be on the weekly sheet) Readings & Prayers to end the day.
Wednesday @ 11.00am Reading Matthew`s Gospel Together (25th February / 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th March/1st April)
The Vicar has prepared a simple sheet of daily readings to take us through Matthew`s Gospel in Lent. Copies are available in Church. You are welcome to follow this pattern of readings on your own but if you would like support and encouragement once a week, a group will gather each Wednesday (following the morning worship) at 11.00am in St. Paul`s Church. You will be very welcome
Sundays @ 11.00am: “Coming to the Cross….”
Each Sunday morning at St. Paul`s we will reflect on the Cross of Jesus and why it matters
- 22nd February – Matthew comes to the Cross.
- 1st March – Mark comes to the Cross.
- 8th March – Luke comes to the Cross.
- 15th March – John comes to the Cross.
- 22nd March – We come to the Cross.
Sundays @ 4.00pm: “Evening Prayer”
A Quiet way to end the day- at St. Paul`s, with an opportunity to reflect together on our Lent Theme: “Coming to the Cross….”
A Quiet Morning @ Field Broughton Village Hall – “Just another Sunday Morning?”
Enriching our experience of Holy Communion
How can we enter more deeply into what has been called “the source and summit of the Christian life”? Arrivals and Coffee at 9.30am. Several short addresses, space to reflect and a Eucharist. Bring a packed lunch. Drinks and biscuits provided. No Charge. Donations towards hire of the Hall will be welcome.
A Quiet Morning @ Field Broughton Village Hall – “Finding God in a busy day?”
How Christ keeps his promise to be with us always
“If we could lift the veil and if we watched with vigilant attention, God would endlessly reveal himself to us and we should see and rejoice in his active presence in all that befalls us. At every event we should exclaim: ”It is the Lord!” – Jean Pierre de Caussade
Arrivals and Coffee at 9.30am. Several short addresses, space to reflect and a Eucharist. Bring a packed lunch. Drinks and biscuits provided. No Charge. Donations towards hire of the Hall will be welcome.
To reserve a place please Email: [email protected]
Tel: 07305 777 113 or sign the list in St. Paul`s or St. Peter`s Church.
Home Communion
If you would like to host a simple Communion Service at home one morning, afternoon or evening during Lent & invite friends and neighbours to join in- the Vicar will be happy to arrange something with you: Contact: [email protected] or Tel: 07305 777 113.
1 to 1: Through Lent with the Vicar
During Lent the Vicar is offering to accompany a few people through this important season in the Church`s year, especially if you are uncertain as what patterns or practices are best for you just now. Have a chat with the Vicar if you think this might be for you: [email protected] / 07305 777 113.
