Lent is a season of reflection, repentance, and preparation.

Ash Wednesday, February 18 through Easter, April 5

Here’s a peek at where we’re headed in our The Grace of Les Miserables series!

April 5: “A Tale of Three Gardens” (Easter Sunday) (Pastor Nathan) – As we celebrate the risen Jesus, we recognize that blessings are perpetually around us.

So, how can you join in?

  • Come to worship each Sunday in Lent. Bring a friend! This is a wonderful series for someone who’s curious about faith but not sure where to start.
  • Join a small group for the weekly study conversation (details on times and sign-ups will be shared in the usual places).
  • Lean into the experience. You’ll hear familiar themes through fresh angles that help carry worship into the week.

Lent is never about “trying harder” to impress God. Lent is about making room – room for repentance, room for healing, room for forgiveness, room for God to re-shape us. This year, we’ll make that room together, guided by the gospel and reminded again (and again) that grace is not just an idea. Grace is God’s gift, moving toward us, steady and strong.

Holy Week Worship Services

Ash Wednesday
February 18 | 7 PM

Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent, a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline.

In-person and livestream available.

Holy Thursday
April 2 | 7PM

Holy Thursday is the first of the three days of solemn remembrance of the events leading up to and immediately following the crucifixion of Jesus.

In-person and livestream available.

Good Friday
April 3 | 7 PM

Good Friday services focus upon prayer and reflection on the death of Christ and penance and special devotion for the believer.

In-person and livestream available.

Easter Sunday
April 5
9:00 & 11:00 AM

9:00 AM – Traditional service.
In-person and livestream available.

11:00 AM – The Current service.
In-person and livestream available.

    Wings of Hope: Lenten Offering & Easter Card Campaign

    Honor someone special this Lenten season with a gift through St. Mark’s Wings of Hope Campaign. Your Lenten offerings this year will benefit Brightwood Community Center, whose mission is to transform lives by fostering community empowerment for youth, adults, and families through health, wellness, and community safety programming.

    Make a gift In Honor, In Memory, or In Appreciation of a special person or group. Honorees will receive an Easter Card from St. Mark’s acknowledging your gift and celebrating the Resurrection of Christ. Your donations are given directly to Brightwood Community Center to help them continue to share healthy and nourishing food with hungry people.

    Contact Amy Adams with questions at mailto:aadams@stmarkscarmel.org.

    Lenten Activities & Resources

    Lenten Activities

    No Events

    Family Devotionals

    This Lent, you are invited to pick up a 40-day devotional experience from one of our mission partners, the Society of St. Andrew. The daily readings and prayers in this year’s Blessed are the Meek devotional explore Christian humility, service, and strength unfolding in the scriptures and daily life.

    Few of us aspire to meekness. Yet the scriptures routinely raise up small, lowly, poor, meek, and humble persons as testimony against institutions, societies, and leaders who use power against them. Written by faithful voices from across the country, these daily devotions invite you to slow down, open Scripture, embrace the quiet courage of meekness, and be shaped by the Lord who blesses the meek. (“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” — Matthew 5:5)

    Pick up your copies of devotionals for adults and kids from the table near the Café.

    Children’s Lenten Materials

    Lenten activity booklets for children will be available in the church narthex beginning Sunday, 2/15. Plan to pick up your family’s copy prior to the start of Lent (Ash Wednesday, 2/18). There will be materials for adults and children to enhance the 40-day season of Lent!

    Order Easter Flowers

     Each year, St. Mark’s Chancel is filled with spring flowers in celebration of Easter. The flowers are provided by the congregation. This year we will be offering Tulips for the cost of $8.00 per pot and may be given in honor of, or in memory of a friend, loved one, group, etc. Deadline to purchase is April 1. Names will then be listed in the bulletin on Easter Sunday, April 5.

    Please complete the form below.

    Please note: Flowers may be picked up after the 11 AM Easter service.