The journey through Lent into Easter is a journey with Jesus. We are baptized into his life, self-giving, and death; then, we rise in hope to life transformed.

What is Lent?

Lent is the season that leads up to the most holy and sacred time of the Christian year: the Paschal Triduum, or the great three days of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday, culminating in the Great Vigil of the Resurrection.

In the western church the forty days of Lent extend from Ash Wednesday through Holy Saturday, omitting Sundays which are little feasts of the Resurrection. The period of 40 days commemorates the “40 days and 40 nights” (Matthew 4:2) that Jesus fasted in the desert and then resisted temptations from Satan.
The word “Lent” comes from an Old English word for “spring,” and is derived from the German word “lang,” meaning “long,” because during this season before Easter, the hours of daylight become longer.
The Episcopal Church invites us to observe Lent “by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 265).

During this season, our worship adopts a uniquely reflective and penitential tone. Throughout Lent, we use purple for vestments and altar hangings to represent penitence and royalty. During Holy Week, we change to Lenten array, a rough linen or unbleached fabric, that reflects the mood of Old Testament mourning (wearing sackcloth). In place of our typically festive approach to worship, these changes allow us to experience a different side of the Christian life as we journey with Christ to the cross.

This Lent, we invite you to walk with Jesus and into the experience of transformed life through special services, studies and activities. The Cathedral offers you the following opportunities to help make this Lent a holy time for you.

Preparing for Lent

We have two opportunities for one last day of joyful celebration before Lent begins. Come celebrate with us Sunday, February 15 for pancakes and Tuesday, February 17 for jambalaya.

Last Sunday after the Epiphany: February 15

The Last Sunday after the Epiphany marks the last time we say “Alleluia” until the Great Vigil of Easter. During the 10:30 service, our children will help us “bury” the Alleluia.

Shrove Sunday Pancake Breakfast • 9 & 11:45 a.m. in Founders’ Hall

Join us for breakfast following both morning services. Our annual Shrove Sunday Pancake Breakfast is the perfect way to indulge in some syrupy fun before Lent rolls in! Volunteers can sign up at kccathedral.org/upcoming-events.
What is Shrove Sunday? Well, it involves pancakes, laughter, and fellowship! Shrove Tuesday is the day before Lent. Lent is a season of simple living, and historically people did not each rich foods, like milk, butter, or eggs during Lent. The day before Lent, people would clean out their kitchens by indulging in these rich foods. They would make pancakes, which use all of these ingredients plus flour. We celebrate Shrove Tuesday on Sunday at the Cathedral so we can all be together for the pancake feast.

Mardi Gras Jambalaya Dinner • 6 p.m. in Haden Hall

Tuesday, February 17 Mardi Gras (“Fat Tuesday”)
Join us for a festive Mardi Gras dinner featuring jambalaya, good company, lively music, and the joyous spirit of Fat Tuesday as we prepare for Lent. We look forward to celebrating with you!
Jambalaya will be provided. Please bring cornbread/bread, a salad or a dessert.

Lenten Preparation: Making a Spiritual Assessment & Developing a Rule of Life

Ash Wednesday, February 18 • 5:30-6:45 p.m. in the Common Room
“All of Lent is moving towards the passion and resurrection of Jesus, culminating at Easter with baptisms or the renewal of baptism. Lent prepares us for this grace by taking us into the mystery of the cross, our bridge from death to life. It is the season to probe sources of bondage and diminishment: What feels like death just now? What is holding us back from fullness of life in Christ? Our renewing of baptism entails searching self-examination and repentance. We must undergo a death to sin and all forms of resistance to God.” -Julia Gatta
Lent is a time to check in on our spiritual life, to renew our commitment to life in Christ, and to take on new practices to deepen that life. In this workshop, you will be guided through a self-assessment of your current spiritual life and explore the use of a systematic approach to the spiritual life known as a Rule of Life. This workshop is for anyone looking to develop a guide for their spiritual practice or to review and renew their current practice.

Lent Resources

Lent resources for adults and children are available in the Tower entry to assist you with your observance of a holy Lent. Additional resources are available for purchase in the Bookstore.

Lent Madness

In a takeoff of basketball’s March Madness, Lent Madness is a fun, engaging way for people to learn about the Church’s Calendar of Saints. Visit lentmadness.org to fill out your bracket for a chance to win the “Golden Halo!” You can also check out this fan site at playlentmadness.com.

Stations of the Cross

During Lent you may walk the Stations of the Cross on your own with the Stations of the Cross booklet, found in the Welcome Center in the Tower, or you may follow along with our parishioner-led Stations of the Cross video, available on our YouTube channel.

Lenten Worship

Ash Wednesday

Wednesday, February 18 • 7 a.m., 12:05 & 7 p.m.

The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. On this day, you are invited to gather to begin the journey towards the Cross and the Resurrection with the Ash Wednesday service. The imposition of ashes and Holy Communion takes place at all three services.

The 7 a.m. service is spoken.
The 12:05 service will include hymns and organ music.
The 7 p.m. service will include the Trinity Choir.

Noonday Prayer will be broadcast at noon and the 7 p.m. service will be livestreamed.

Holy Eucharist

Sundays at 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 5 p.m.
Wednesdays at 12:05 p.m.

The 5 p.m. service on March 15 will be Choral Evensong. Choral Evensong is a service offered by members of the Trinity Choir that includes hymns, scripture readings, prayers, chanted Psalms, canticles and a choir anthem. Following the service, all are welcome to take communion in the Chapel.

The Daily Office

Noonday Prayer: Wednesdays at 12 p.m. online only

Formation

Faithful Living, Faithful Dying: Preparing in the light of Christ

Wednesdays, February 25, March 4, 11, 18, 25 • 6:30-7:45 p.m. • Common Room

Learn about the theology of death and resurrection in the Anglican tradition and the importance of being prepared. Information will be provided on funeral planning, end of life care, and planned giving.
February 25: Theology of the Funeral Rite
March 4: Music for the Funeral Rite
March 11: Funeral Planning Workshop
March 18: End of Life Care and Advanced Directives
March 25: The Ultimate Gift: Christian Witness at Death

Dinner & Book Discussion

Friday, March 20 • 6 p.m. • Common Room

Our Social Events Committee invites you for a book study and dinner on March 20. The book Being Dead Is No Excuse: The Official Southern Ladies Guide to Hosting the Perfect Funeral by Gayden Metcalfe and Charlotte Hays will be our guide for the night. It is a humorous look at Southern funeral customs, etiquette, and recipes. Our dinner will consist of recipes made from the book. Copies of the book are available for purchase in the Cathedral Bookstore.

Episcopal 101 (Inquirer’s/Confirmation Class)

Sundays February 15 through March 29 • 9:15 a.m.

Interested in exploring the Episcopal Church, confirmation, reaffirmation or reception? If so, please prayerfully consider coming Sunday, February 15 in the Multipurpose Room in lower Founders’ Hall between morning services for an introductory meeting to explore what this might mean for you. Please pray for those who are enriching their faith and starting their journey as a confirmand in the Episcopal Church.

Adult Formation: Episcopal Beliefs & Practices: A Study of the Prayer Book

Sundays, 9:15 a.m. • Common Room

Through a weekly study of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer we will explore the beliefs and practices of the Episcopal Church. If you are curious about the Anglican way of Christianity, want to better understand familiar prayers and liturgies, or are seeking to engage more deeply in Christian practice and theology then this course is for you! No preparation needed, prayer books will be provided in class.

**Women’s Bible Study: The Walk by Adam Hamilton**

Tuesdays, 12:30 p.m. • Zoom

How do we walk with Christ—daily follow him, grow in him, and faithfully serve him? In the Gospels, Jesus modeled for us the Christian spiritual life. The apostles taught it in their writings. And the Church has, through the last 2,000 years, sought to pursue this Christian spiritual life.
In The Walk, Adam Hamilton focuses on five essential spiritual practices that are rooted in Jesus’ own walk with God and taught throughout the New Testament. Each of these practices is intended as part of our daily walk with Christ while also being an essential part of growing together in the church.
In each chapter, he explores one of these practices, its New Testament foundation, and what it looks like to pursue this practice daily in our personal life and together in the life of the church. Deepen your walk with Christ as we explore the five essential practices of worship, study, serving, giving, and bearing witness to our faith.

Lectionary Bible Study

Tuesdays, 6:45 p.m. • Zoom

We study the lessons for the upcoming Sunday. Join the Lectionary Bible Study group in Realm for more details.

Outreach

“How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? Little children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.” (1 John 3:17-18)

Donations

February: Paper Drive for Sheffield Place
Bring donations of toilet paper, paper towels and tissues to the basket in the Tower during the month of February.
Sheffield Place assists homeless women and children in making the difficult journey from homelessness to self-sufficiency.

March: Food Drive for Saint Paul’s Food Pantry
We are collecting non-perishable food for the food pantry at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church.
Suggested items to bring: ready meals (canned chili, spaghetti-o’s, shelf-stable meals, soup), canned or dried fruit, 100% fruit juice, canned vegetables (not corn or green beans), canned meat (not tuna), gluten-free starches, baking staples, shelf-stable milk (quart-sized UHT boxes, dairy or plant-based), shelf-stable vegetarian meals (canned or boxed meatless foods with 7 or more grams of protein per serving).
Your donation goes directly to the shelves in the pantry, helping people right in our community. You may leave items in the box in the Tower.

April: Toiletries Drive for JFSKC
We are collecting toiletries for the Jewish Family Services pantry in Brookside. Bring your donations of REGULAR size body wash, hand/body lotion, shampoo, conditioner or deodorant to the basket in the Tower during the month of April.

Volunteer Opportunities

Labels for Pete’s Garden
Sundays, February 22 & March 15 • 9:15 a.m. & 12:15 p.m.
Volunteer with fellow parishioners during coffee hour to put labels on the containers that will be used to package meals for families in need by Pete’s Garden. We will label upstairs in Founders’ Hall at both morning coffee hours. Please no food or drink at the labeling tables and wash your hands before helping. This is a great opportunity to help at Pete’s Garden. All ages are welcome; younger children should have a parent present.

Volunteer at HappyBottoms
Saturday, February 28 • 9-11 a.m.
You are invited to learn how HappyBottoms is working to eliminate diaper need in the KC region, tour the warehouse then wrap diaper packages, fill monthly orders for agencies and hospitals, clean distribution bag tags, and complete other tasks as requested. Sign up to volunteer.

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
Saturdays, March 21 • 9:30 a.m.-noon
In partnership with St. Paul’s on Main, we have been invited to help organize and distribute food as part of TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program). St. Paul’s receives delivery of several pallets of shelf-stable and frozen food from Harvesters each month. Friendly volunteers are needed to break down the pallets and repackage the food into family-sized boxes and bags. Then we open the doors to those in need and start handing out the food. To volunteer or for more information, contact Deacon Barbara 816.739.8032 or bwegener@kccathedral.org.

Easter Basket Packing
Palm Sunday, March 29 • 9 a.m.
Come help us pack Easter baskets for the kids at Crittenton, Sheffield Place and Kaw Valley!

Holy Week & Easter

Palm Cross Making: Sunday, March 22 | 9 a.m.

Enjoy a cup of coffee and make crosses out of palm leaves for distribution on Palm Sunday. Please bring your scissors. Someone will help if you’ve never made palm crosses before!

Volunteer for Worship Services

As we welcome extra people and additional services Lent through Easter, we need your help to make our services run smoothly. You can help by being an usher, acolyte, greeter, Eucharistic minister, serving on the Altar Guild or assisting with audio/video operation. Contact Volunteer Coordinator Joan Bergstrom, volunteers@kccathedral.org or sign up on Ministry Scheduler Pro.

Holy Week & Easter Services

Palm Sunday, March 29 | 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 5 p.m.

Monday in Holy Week, March 30 | Holy Eucharist | 12:05 p.m.

Tuesday in Holy Week, March 31, Blessing of Oils & Renewal of Vows | 11 a.m.

Wednesday in Holy Week, April 1| Holy Eucharist | 12:05 p.m.

Maundy Thursday, April 2 | 7 p.m.

Good Friday, April 3 | 9 a.m. & 12:05 p.m.

Holy Saturday, April 4 | 9 a.m.

Easter Vigil, April 4 | 7 p.m.

Easter Day, April 5 | 8 & 10:30 a.m.

Easter Flowers

Your generous gifts, in memory of or in thanksgiving for a loved one, help provide flowers. Use the Easter flower envelopes and return the envelope to the office by Sunday, March 29, for your name to be included in the Easter bulletins. You can also give online (onrealm.org/GraceHolyTrinit/give/flowers) or text “GIVETOGHTC flowers” to 73256.

Lent at Grace and Holy Trinity