Lent is a 40-day season of the church year that calls Christians to focus on repentance and personal devotion in preparation for the coming celebration of Easter. It begins with Ash Wednesday and continues through the Easter Vigil.
Lent 2025
March 5 – April 19
Quiet Day
Tuesday, March 4 at The Trees
9 AM – 5 PM
Spend your time in quiet – writing, walking, painting, praying, reading. Come for an hour or stay all day. A simple lunch will be provided. No registration required. Open to the public. Learn more about The Trees.
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper & J2A fundraiser
Tuesday, March 4
5:30 PM • Parish Hall
Nothing says, “we’re about to start Lent,” like a plate full of PANCAKES. Come join us for your fill of syrup, butter and flapjack goodness – plus every pancake will support future J2A youth pilgrimages.
Suggested donation = $10 per person or $25 per family. Please pay online when you RSVP, or bring cash or checks to the door. RSVP here
Ash Wednesday
Wednesday, March 5
Lent officially begins with Ash Wednesday. This solemn day is named for the custom of placing blessed ashes on the foreheads of worshipers as a sign of penitence and a reminder of our mortality. Join us for one of three services of Holy Eucharist.
12 PM – Holy Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes
In person – Church
This is a traditional service with music and singing.
5:30 PM – Intergenerational Ash Wednesday Eucharist
In person – Parish Hall
This service uses inclusive language and is intentionally planned for all ages.
6:15 PM – Simple soup dinner
In person – Parish Hall
7 PM – Holy Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes
In person – Church
Online – Facebook, YouTube
This is a traditional service with music and singing.
Ashes to Go
8-10 AM and 1:30 – 3:30 PM
If you’re pressed for time on Ash Wednesday, come get Ashes to Go. We’ll be in front of the church for two hours in the morning and two hours after lunch.
Stations of the Cross at The Trees
Wednesdays (2 PM – dusk)
Fridays (8 AM – 12 PM)
Sundays (8 AM – 4 PM)
Come meditate on Stations of the Cross at The Trees. You’ll find stations set up on the Owl Trail across from the house at 1701 Pleasant Green Road, Durham. No appointment needed. (The Trees house will be closed, but the outside-facing restroom door will be open.)
Lent 1
Sunday, March 9
8 AM, 9 AM and 11 AM – Holy Eucharist
Intergenerational Lenten Prayer Stations
10 AM • Parish Hall
All ages are invited to join us for interactive prayer stations that will be spread throughout the parish house. Individuals and families can travel through the various stations – each engaging in different types of contemplative and hands-on prayer as we enter the season of Lent. Questions? Contact Hannah Flack at youth@stphilipsdurham.org.
House Church
March 9, 16, 23, 30, and April 6
5-6 PM
During Lent, families with children and youth are invited to participate in weekly Sunday gatherings from 5-6 p.m. We’ll meet in homes to share a simple meal and have a family-friendly service of compline. For more info, email youth@stphilipsdurham.org.
Engage! Lenten Book Study: Becoming Human by Brian G. Taylor
Weekly discussions: Wednesdays at 6:30 PM
During Lent, the whole parish is invited to read a short chapter a day of Becoming Human. Taylor’s succinct summations of what Jesus taught―Don’t worry; Love everybody; Help the poor; Become simple; Face into conflict; Change the world; Forgive yourself for being human, and so on―provide the basis for this series of reflections on the transformative wisdom that inspired those who had ears to hear to drop everything and follow him.
We’ll gather for discussion of the past week’s readings on Wednesday nights at 6:30.
Lent 2
Sunday, March 16
8 AM, 9 AM and 11 AM – Holy Eucharist
Lent 3
Sunday, March 23
8 AM, 9 AM and 11 AM – Holy Eucharist
Lent 4
Sunday, March 30
8 AM, 9 AM and 11 AM – Holy Eucharist
Lent 5
Sunday, April 6
8 AM, 9 AM and 11 AM – Holy Eucharist
Pray • Bake • Create – Intergenerational Lenten retreat at The Trees
Saturday, April 12
10 AM – 2 PM
Join us for a day of guided outdoor activities, baking bread, and more! This event is for all ages.
RSVP: Email youth@stphilipsdurham.org.
Holy Week Schedule: Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday
Sunday, April 13 – Sunday, April 20
Schedule coming soon.