Lent at St Bart’s, Ash Wednesday, Lent Course
- Feb 16
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 1
Ash Wednesday is the start of Lent, being forty days (plus Sundays) before Easter. Jesus himself fasted forty days in the wilderness, and Lent serves as an opportunity for
self-denial through fasting,
increasing our giving,
deepening our faith through study and prayer,
and preparation for Easter, the celebration at the heart of our Christian Faith.
At the Liturgy of Ash Wednesday there is an extended period of penitence, and we are marked on our foreheads with ash. In the Old Testament, covering oneself with ash was a sign of lament, and the practice of being marked by an ash cross on our heads (in the same way we are marked at our baptism with oil) dates from the middle ages.
The Liturgy will take place twice (both the same), so there should be a time which suits everyone.
Wednesday 18th February
Ash Wednesday
9am Morning Prayer
10am Liturgy of Ash Wednesday
5:30pm Evening Prayer
7:30pm Liturgy of Ash Wednesday
Traditional Office Hymn for Lent
Sung by the choir of Norwich Cathedral.
This video is intended as a quick explainer for children, but it works as a basic reminder for everyone.
Our 2026 Lent Course: The Bible Course
The Bible Course from the Bible Society is an 8-session, interactive small-group resource designed to help participants understand the "Big Story" of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. The course combines video teaching, group discussion, and daily readings to improve confidence in reading the Bible and applying it to daily life.
This free, no-commitment, course will be a chance to explore, learn and ask questions in a safe and friendly space. The course will run on three different times per week, so there should be a time to suit you.
Tuesdays 7:15pm
Wednesdays 11am
Thursdays (at St Mary Magdalene NE12 8ST) 1pm
Stages on your spiritual journey
As we journey through Lent, it is good to reflect on the stages of Christian belonging and growth in faith. Lent has always been a time for preparation for all kinds of Christian Initiation. Please speak to Fr Ben if you would like to explore any of these.
Baptism
This is the beginning of the journey: through water and the Spirit, we are welcomed into the Church and marked as Christ’s own. Preparation for this varies. For children being baptised there is a session of preparation in church. For adult candidates, is it expected that they will participate in the process of preparation for confirmation (below). The preparation is not a test; it just makes you fully aware of what our faith means.
Admission to Holy Communion
This enables baptised children (and others prepared for it) to begin receiving the sacrament before Confirmation, as they grow in understanding of the Eucharist and life of discipleship. We usually admit children who are baptised and regular worshippers to receive Holy Communion. The preparation for this is two short sessions for children and their parents which explain in simple terms what it all means.
Confirmation
This is a mature and public affirmation of baptismal faith, in which the bishop prays for the strengthening gift of the Holy Spirit and candidates renew their commitment to follow Christ within the life and mission of the Church. This is open to adults and older children, when it feels right. There is usually some preparation for this. Being a part of the Lent course is a good start.
Sunday Services in Lent
Sunday 22nd February
The First Sunday of Lent
8am Eucharist
10am Sung Eucharist with Junior Church and Crèche
Sunday 1st March
The Second Sunday of Lent
8am Eucharist
9am Bubble Church
10am Sung Eucharist with Junior Church and Crèche
Sunday 8th March
The Third Sunday of Lent
8am Eucharist
10am Sung Eucharist with Junior Church and Crèche
Sunday 15th March
Mothering Sunday
8am Eucharist
9am Bubble Church
10am Sung Eucharist with Junior Church and Crèche
Sunday 22nd March
The Fifth Sunday of Lent (Passiontide begins)
8am Eucharist
10am Sung Eucharist with Junior Church and Crèche
7pm Service of Readings and Music for Passiontide
Sunday 29th March
Palm Sunday
8am Eucharist
10am The Liturgy of Palm Sunday with Junior Church and Crèche
Bubble Church is a Sunday church service especially for babies, toddlers, and young families. There's food, songs, fun and puppets!
Even if you regularly attend, please do sign up. It really helps us to prepare.
Remember our fun and informal Junior Church and Crèche run alongside our 10am Service, so children are very welcome to stay for that too, or come along on a week when Bubble Church isn't running.
What is different in our worship in Lent?
Worship during Lent (from Ash Wednesday to Easter) is intentionally designed to be more solemn, simple, and reflective, focusing on themes of repentance, self-examination, and the journey to the cross. It acts as an annual "spiritual retreat" to contrast with the festive, celebratory nature of the Easter season.
Here are the key differences in worship during Lent:
Color Changes: Liturgical colors change to violet or purple, symbolizing penance, sacrifice, and repentance.
Simplified Environment: Churches are kept bare of flowers.
No "Alleluia": The word "Alleluia" (a joyful expression of praise) is omitted from the liturgy, including hymns and readings.
No "Gloria": The Gloria in excelsis (Glory to God in the Highest) is not sung.
Music Styles: Hymns are generally more sober, focused on the cross and forgiveness.
Placement
During Lent and Holy Week, Ben Le Dune, who worships at St Thomas's in Newcastle (and who is going through the selection process for ordination) will be spending time with us to experience a church with a different tradition to his own. Ben says...
'Hello, I’m Ben, and I’m currently in the process of discerning ordination within the Church of England. I’m really looking forward to being on placement with St Bartholomew’s during Lent and Holy Week. I live in Newcastle with my wife and our two children, and we’re excited to spend some time worshipping with you all. Please do come and say hello - I’d love the chance to get to know you.'
Additional things you can do in Lent
You could consider this Lent Eco Challenge.
40 Acts: Do Lent Generously
If you are looking for something to 'take up' this Lent, rather than 'give up', then have a look at 40 acts.
"Join thousands this Lent for a 40-day generosity challenge – building habits, deepening faith and reflecting the heart of Jesus through everyday acts. Each day offers a simple invitation to give, bless, and grow in generosity – one act at a time."
Use the Everyday Faith App
Everyday Faith is the daily devotional app from the Church of England designed to inspire, equip and encourage you in your faith every day of the week. The app will provide you with carefully curated daily reflections, including selected Bible readings, a simple prayer to prepare you for the day ahead, and thoughts based on that week’s theme.
Search for "Everyday Faith" on your phone's app store, or click Download for iOS or Download for Android.
Joining our Parish Giving Scheme
The Parish Giving Scheme (PGS) is a secure and simple way of giving to St Bart’s. It works by making a Direct Debit from your bank account which is then passed on to us. You can also opt to add Gift Aid which PGS claims on our behalf, at no extra cost to you, passing an additional 25% to us automatically.
There is also an option give regularly, and to automatically increase your gift annually. PGS will write to you and advise you of the new amount in advance, so you can choose to add more or to decrease the amount if you wish. If the majority of our planned givers were to opt for this, it would have a huge, positive impact on our finances.
Find out more by clicking the button below.
Come to the Daily Offices
The Daily Offices (Morning and Evening Prayer) are the Church’s ancient pattern of prayer that punctuates the day with praise, intercession, and reflection on Scripture. From the earliest centuries, Christians gathered at set hours to pray on behalf of all creation and for the salvation of the world, with morning and evening soon becoming the principal times of prayer.
This tradition continues at St Bart's.
9am Morning Prayer
5:30pm Evening Prayer
These services weave together psalms, Bible readings, and prayers in a rhythm that unites individuals, congregations, and religious communities across time and place.
Whether prayed alone or together with others, the Offices give shape to the day, ensuring that, echoing George Herbert’s words: “seven whole days, not one in seven” are given to the praise of God and the forming of God’s people through word and prayer.
Come along and try it.
What is Passiontide?
Passiontide begins on the Fifth Sunday of Lent and is the final, more solemn part of Lent, leading us into Holy Week and the mystery of Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection. In this season the Church’s worship becomes simpler and quieter, inviting us to prayer, self-examination, and gratitude for the love shown on the cross.
Holy Week is from Palm Sunday to Easter Day and is the most important week of the Church year.
More information will be shared nearer the time. Please keep these dates in your diary.
Sunday 29th March - Palm Sunday
Thursday 2nd April - Maundy Thursday
Friday 3rd April - Good Friday
Sunday 5th April - Easter Day