Lent at All Saints

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The season of Lent offers us a gracious opportunity to examine our lives in order to identify where we fall short and to turn our wills back toward God, whose nature is always to have mercy. Lent is an occasion to consider our spiritual health and deepen our spiritual lives. We do this by choosing well our Lenten disciplines that leads us more deeply into relationship with God and one another. This Lent, All Saints offers many opportunities to deepen your walk with Christ. Through seasonal opportunities for worship, devotion, and study, we hope you will find yourself not only willing but able to please God and participate more fully in the work of God’s kingdom.

The Lenten Season Begins This Week With Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday is this week, February 18, marking the beginning of the Lenten Season. Imposition of ashes will be offered at noon and at 7:30 p.m. in an effort to accommodate varying schedules. Please note: no Eventide on Ash Wednesday.

Eventide During Lent
Our weekly Eventide service is a time where the All Saints’ Community of God’s friends gathers to pray, share, sing, rejoice and become, as God calls us.  Modeled after the ancient Vespers Office, the service revolves around ancient symbols, interpretive “windows” into the presence of the transcendent God.  Everyone is invited to the Wednesday 6:00 p.m. Eventide, as we experience the ancient symbols and retell the ancient stories of this Holy Season of Lent.

Lenten Quiet Day – Saturday, February 28, 9:00am-2:00pm
Lent allows us a wonderful opportunity to quiet our minds and grow closer to God.  We have a special time set aside at All Saints this month to enhance our spiritual journey through this especially prayerful time of the year.  You are invited to experience a Lenten Quiet Day to add to the meaningfulness of the Lenten journey.  We will gather on Saturday, February 28, from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. The day will include a gathering time in the Parish House for coffee and muffins; three opportunities for individual prayer and contemplation; gathered discussion; Eucharistic worship; and lunch catered by Connie Lindberg.  Treat yourself to this time of self-care, fellowship, and alone time with God. You will leave refreshed and inspired! The suggested donation for the day is $10.00.  A sign-up sheet and an envelope for checks is located on the Information Table (please make checks payable to All Saints-by-the-Sea).  If you have questions or concerns, please contact Rev. Vicki at 969-4771.

Join the Madness! Lent Madness Returns to All Saints
If you are looking for a Lenten discipline that is fun, educational, occasionally goofy, and always joyful, join the Lent Madness journey! Lent needn’t be all doom and gloom. After all, what could be more joyful than a season specifically set aside to get closer to God? Join the Rev. Vicki Mouradian as she leads Team All Saints through Lenten Madness.

Based loosely on the popular NCAA basketball tournament, Lent Madness pits 32 saints against one another in a single-elimination bracket as they compete for the coveted Golden Halo. But it is more than that: Lent Madness is really an online devotional tool designed to help people learn about saints.

On the weekdays of Lent information is posted here about two different saints, and then participants vote online to determine who goes on to the next round. Sixteen saints make it to the Round of the Saintly Sixteen; eight advance to the Round of the Elate Eight; four make it to the Faithful Four; two to the Championship; and the winner is awarded the Golden Halo. Saintly Scorecards (suggested donation $2) are available on the Information Table after worship services or at the Church Office. A brackett will be displayed on the patio to help you track the madness. Lent Madness is one fever you’ll want to catch this season!

Lenten Formation Series: Called to Life
Have you wondered where God is calling you? In the Episcopal Church, baptism is understood as becoming a full member in the Body of Christ. As baptized members of the Body of Christ, we all have ministries to which we are called – our “baptismal vocation.” In the midst of life’s busyness, we don’t always give ourselves time to reflect on the deeper meaning of our lives in light of our faith. This Lenten season, you are invited to participate in Called to Life, an adult formation series where we will explore how to listen for God and why we are all called to serve others. Click here to learn more.