Lent
Lent begins a period of preparation of our hearts and minds to witness and testify to the resurrected Christ. It is analogous to Advent, the season of preparation for Christ coming into the world.
"You bid your faithful people cleanse their hearts, and prepare with joy for the Paschal feast; that, fervent in prayer and in works of mercy, and renewed by your Word and Sacraments, they may come to the fullness of grace which you have prepared for those who love you."
- Preface for Lent, Book of Common Prayer p. 379
Lent is a period of forty days which extend from Ash Wednesday through Holy Saturday, omitting Sundays. All Christians are invited "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" (BCP, p. 265 - Ash Wednesday liturgy). Palm Sunday begins the final week leading to Easter Sunday, referred to as Holy Week. The last three days of Holy Week are called the sacred Triduum: including Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Learn more here.
Below are our offerings of programs and events to help you observe a holy Lent.
Holy Week for the Whole Family
Easter Vigil Bells & Dancing
Easter Flowers
Recommended Reading for Lent 2020
The Feast of Pentecost
| Speaker: The Rev. Jarrett Kerbel
Welcome to Bible Banter with Barb and Jarrett, a podcast from the Episcopal Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This week our guest on the show is the Rev. Kathryn Aikins, Pastor of Tabernacle United Church in the University City neighborhood of Philadelphia. Today’s podcast is for the Feast of Pentecost, Year A, focusing on the first lesson, Acts 2:1-21.
Bible Banter is produced by the Episcopal Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. Hosts are the Rev. Jarrett Kerbel and the Rev. Barbara Ballenger. The show is edited by Natalee Hill. Our music is Sunday Drive by Silent Partner from the YouTube Audio Library.
Easter 7: Why is Suffering Allowed?
| Speaker: The Rev. Barbara Ballenger
Welcome to Bible Banter with Barb and Jarrett, a podcast from the Episcopal Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This week our guest on the show is the Rev. Canon Kirk Berlenbach, Canon For Support and Growth for the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania. Today’s podcast is for the seventh Sunday of Easter, Year A, focusing on the Epistle reading, First Peter, Chapter 4 verses 12 through 14 and chapter 5, verses 6 through 11. Listen in.
Bible Banter is produced by the Episcopal Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. Hosts are the Rev. Jarrett Kerbel and the Rev. Barbara Ballenger. The show is edited by Natalee Hill. Our music is Our music is Sunday Drive by Silent Partner from the YouTube Audio Library.
Easter 6 - The Psalms Speak for Us
| Speaker: The Rev. Jarrett Kerbel
Welcome to Easter season Bible Banter with Barb and Jarrett, a podcast from the Episcopal Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This week our guest on the show is Rabbi Adam Zeff of Germantown Jewish Centre. Today’s podcast is for the sixth Sunday of Easter, Year A, focusing on the Psalter, Psalm 66, verses 7-18. Listen in.
Bible Banter is produced by the Episcopal Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. Hosts are the Rev. Jarrett Kerbel and the Rev. Barbara Ballenger. The show is edited by Natalee Hill. Our music is Our music is Sunday Drive by Silent Partner from the YouTube Audio Library.
Easter 5 - A Place for Us
| Speaker: The Rev. Barbara Ballenger
Welcome to Easter season Bible Banter with Barb and Jarrett, a podcast from the Episcopal Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This week our guest on the show is the Rev. Sarah A. Colwill, Pastor of Church on the Mall in Plymouth Meeting, PA. Rev. Colwill is a Presbyterian clergyperson.
Bible Banter is produced by the Episcopal Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. Hosts are the Rev. Jarrett Kerbel and the Rev. Barbara Ballenger.
Church on the Mall currently offers Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m. on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/churchonthemall/
Easter 4 - The Good Shepherd
| Speaker: The Rev. Jarrett Kerbel
Welcome to Easter season Bible Banter with Barb and Jarrett, a podcast from the Episcopal Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Today’s podcast is for the fourth Sunday of Easter, Year A, focusing on the Gospel reading, John 10:1-10, and Psalm 23. Listen in.
Lent week 6
| Speaker: The Rev. Barbara Ballenger
Welcome to Bible Banter with Barb and Jarrett, a Lenten podcast for 2020.
Today’s podcast is for the last Sunday in Lent, Year A, focusing on the passion Gospel reading, Matthew 27:11-54. Special guest this week is the Rev. Amy Yoder McGloughlin, pastor of Frazer Mennonite Church.
Lent week 5
| Speaker: The Rev. Jarrett Kerbel
Welcome to Bible Banter with Barb and Jarrett, a Lenten podcast for 2020.
Today’s podcast is for the second Sunday in Lent, Year A, focusing on the Gospel reading, John 11:1-45.
Lent week 4
| Speaker: The Rev. Barbara Ballenger
Welcome to Bible Banter with Barb and Jarrett, a Lenten podcast for 2020.
Today’s podcast is for the second Sunday in Lent, Year A, focusing on the Gospel reading, John 9:1-41.
Lent week 3
| Speaker: The Rev. Jarrett Kerbel
Welcome to Bible Banter with Barb and Jarrett, a Lenten podcast for 2020.
Today’s podcast is for the second Sunday in Lent, Year A, focusing on the Gospel reading, John 4:5-42.
Lent week 2
| Speaker: The Rev. Barbara Ballenger
Welcome to Bible Banter with Barb and Jarrett, a Lenten podcast for 2020.
Today’s podcast is for the second Sunday in Lent, Year A, focusing on the Gospel reading, John 3:1-17.
Lent week 1
| Speaker: The Rev. Jarrett Kerbel
Welcome to Bible Banter with Barb and Jarrett, a Lenten podcast for 2020.
Today’s podcast is for the first Sunday in Lent, Year A, focusing on the Old Testament reading, Genesis 2:15-17, 3: 1-7.
