Every year, millions of Christians around the world set aside 40 days before Easter to slow down, reflect, and prepare their hearts for the resurrection. This season is called Lent, and it is one of the most spiritually meaningful periods in the life of the church. If you're searching for Ash Wednesday services or Lenten worship near North Fort Worth, St. Peter Church and School in nearby Northlake, TX invites you to journey through this sacred season with us.
Lent is not a season of gloom. It is a season of honest reflection and renewal — a time to turn your attention toward what God has done for you through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. At St. Peter Church and School, we observe Lent with worship that is both deeply rooted in the Christian tradition and accessible to people who may be experiencing it for the first time.
What Is Lent and Why Do Churches Observe It?
Lent is a season of the church year that spans approximately 40 days, beginning on Ash Wednesday and concluding with Holy Week before Easter. The number 40 holds significant meaning throughout Scripture — the Israelites wandered 40 years in the wilderness, Moses spent 40 days on Mount Sinai, and Jesus fasted for 40 days in the desert before beginning His public ministry. Lent mirrors that pattern of preparation, calling Christians to a period of repentance, self-examination, and renewed focus on God's grace.
The observance of a period of preparation before Easter dates back to the earliest centuries of church history. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the Lenten season was formalized by the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, though Christians had practiced some form of pre-Easter fasting and preparation for generations before that. Today, Lent is observed by Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, Methodists, Presbyterians, and many other Christian traditions worldwide.
Many people associate Lent with "giving something up," and while personal disciplines like fasting or abstaining from certain habits are part of the tradition, the heart of Lent is much bigger than that.
Lent is about returning to the core of the Gospel: that all people are sinners in need of a Savior, and that Jesus Christ lived, died, and rose again to offer the free gift of forgiveness and eternal life. Lenten worship services create space for this kind of reflection in a way that ordinary day-to-day life often does not.
Why Observe Lent at a Lutheran Church?
Lutherans have a rich tradition of Lenten observance that strikes a unique balance between liturgical depth and Gospel-centered simplicity. In the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), Lent is not about earning God's favor through personal sacrifice. Instead, it is about receiving God's gifts of forgiveness and grace more intentionally through Word and Sacrament.
At St. Peter Church and School, this theological emphasis shapes every Lenten service. Our worship is participatory, Christ-centered, and focused on the forgiveness of sins — exactly the themes that Lent is designed to bring to the surface. We celebrate the Lord's Supper every Sunday, and during the Lenten season that weekly reception of Christ's body and blood takes on an especially powerful significance as we journey toward the cross.
Our "Ancient Word. Sacrament. Modern Music. Message" approach means that Lenten worship at St. Peter Church and School feels both reverent and relevant. You'll hear contemporary worship music alongside timeless scriptural truths. You'll participate in a service that connects you to centuries of Christian tradition while speaking directly to your life today. For people in the North Fort Worth area who are curious about Lent but unsure where to start, a Lutheran church like St. Peter Church and School offers a welcoming entry point. Learn more about our worship style and approach.
How St. Peter Church and School Observes the Season of Lent
Each year, St. Peter Church and School marks the Lenten season with a series of worship opportunities designed to deepen your faith and prepare your heart for Easter. While specific dates and times vary annually, here is what you can typically expect during the Lenten season at St. Peter Church and School.
Ash Wednesday at St. Peter Church and School
Lent begins each year with Ash Wednesday, a solemn service that calls worshippers to acknowledge their mortality and their need for God's mercy. The name comes from the ancient practice of applying ashes to the forehead in the shape of a cross, accompanied by the words, "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return." St. Peter Church and School typically holds an Ash Wednesday service with Holy Communion, marking the beginning of the Lenten journey.
The Ash Wednesday service is open to everyone — members, visitors, and those who have never attended a church service before. It is a powerful, humbling worship experience that sets the tone for the 40 days of reflection and preparation that follow.
Lenten Midweek Worship Services
In addition to Sunday worship, St. Peter Church and School has historically offered midweek Lenten worship services during the weeks between Ash Wednesday and Holy Week. These shorter, more contemplative services provide an opportunity to pause in the middle of a busy week and focus on the themes of repentance, forgiveness, and God's love. Midweek Lenten services are a cherished tradition in many Lutheran congregations and offer a different pace and rhythm than Sunday morning worship.
For the most current information on midweek Lenten worship at St. Peter Church and School, visit our events page or contact us directly.
Holy Week Services at St. Peter Church and School
The final week of Lent is Holy Week, and it is the most sacred stretch of days in the Christian calendar. At St. Peter Church and School, Holy Week typically includes special services on Holy Thursday and Good Friday that walk worshippers through the final days of Jesus' life.
Holy Thursday commemorates the night Jesus shared the Last Supper with His disciples and instituted the Lord's Supper. This service often includes the celebration of Holy Communion and reflects on Jesus' words, "Do this in remembrance of Me." Good Friday is a solemn service focused on Christ's crucifixion and death — the moment when Jesus bore the sins of the world on the cross. Together, these services carry the congregation from the upper room to Calvary, setting the stage for the triumphant celebration of Easter Sunday.
Holy Week services are not just for longtime church members. If you've never experienced Holy Thursday or Good Friday worship before, these services offer a deeply moving introduction to the events that give Easter its meaning. Check our events page each spring for the Holy Week schedule.
Lent Is for Families, Too
One of the beautiful things about the Lenten season is that it can be practiced as a family. At St. Peter Church and School, we believe that children are never too young to begin learning about the love of God, and the Lenten season provides rich opportunities for age-appropriate faith formation.
During Sunday worship, children of any age are welcome to sit with their families. Nursery care is available for children three and under, and during the sermon, kids from age four through fifth grade are invited to a special Children's Message with Bible lessons and activities before rejoining their families for the Lord's Supper. For older students, confirmation classes are offered for fifth through eighth graders, and high school students meet regularly for fellowship and faith development.
Families who are looking for a faith community that supports their children's spiritual growth throughout the year — not just during Lent — may also be interested in St. Peter School, our accredited Christian preschool and growing elementary program. Learn more at stpeterspartans.org.
Visiting St. Peter Church and School During Lent
If you've been thinking about visiting a church during the Lenten season, we'd love to welcome you at St. Peter Church and School. Lent is actually one of the best times to visit a new church because the services are intentionally designed for reflection and renewal — themes that resonate whether you've been a Christian your whole life or you're exploring faith for the first time.
Here's what to know before your first visit:
- Sunday worship: 10am every Sunday, in person and online.
- Lenten services: Ash Wednesday, midweek worship, and Holy Week services are offered seasonally. Visit our events page for the current year's Lenten schedule.
- Location: 15701 Cleveland Gibbs Rd, Northlake, TX 76262, easily accessible from North Fort Worth, Roanoke, Justin, Argyle, and Keller.
- What to expect on arrival: Greeters will welcome you at the front door, and ushers will hand you a bulletin and help you find a seat. There is no dress code — come as you are.
- Children's programming: Nursery care (ages 3 and under), Children's Message (ages 4 through 4th grade), and youth programs for older students.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lenten Services Near North Fort Worth
When does Lent start?
Lent begins each year on Ash Wednesday, which falls on a different date depending on when Easter occurs. Ash Wednesday is always 46 days before Easter Sunday (40 days of Lent plus six Sundays, which are not counted as fasting days in the Western church tradition). Visit our events page for the current year's Ash Wednesday date and service time.
Does St. Peter Church and School hold Ash Wednesday services?
Yes. St. Peter Church and School typically holds an Ash Wednesday service with Holy Communion each year. This service marks the official beginning of Lent and is open to the entire community. Check our events page for the service time.
Are there midweek Lenten services at St. Peter Church and School?
St. Peter Church and School typically offers midweek Lenten worship services. Because the schedule can vary from year to year, we recommend checking our events page or contacting us for the most up-to-date information.
Do I have to be Lutheran to attend Lenten services?
Not at all. St. Peter Church and School welcomes visitors from all backgrounds and faith traditions. Whether you're a lifelong Lutheran, a Christian from another denomination, or someone exploring faith for the first time, you are welcome at any of our Lenten services. To learn more about our beliefs, visit our FAQ page.
What happens during a Lenten worship service?
Lenten worship at St. Peter Church and School typically includes Scripture readings, prayer, a message rooted in God's Word, contemporary worship music, and the celebration of the Lord's Supper. The themes focus on repentance, forgiveness, and the journey to the cross. Ash Wednesday includes the imposition of ashes, and Holy Week services focus on the specific events of Jesus' final days.
Does St. Peter Church and School offer Holy Week services?
Yes. St. Peter Church and School typically offers Holy Thursday and Good Friday worship services in the final week of Lent. These services lead into our Easter Sunday Resurrection Celebration. Visit our events page each spring for dates, times, and details.
Begin Your Lenten Journey at St. Peter Church and School
Lent is an invitation to slow down, look inward, and rediscover the depth of God's love for you. Whether you're searching for an Ash Wednesday service near North Fort Worth, looking for midweek Lenten worship, or wanting to experience Holy Week for the first time, St. Peter Church and School offers a welcoming, Christ-centered community where you can walk through this season with fellow believers.
We are located at 15701 Cleveland Gibbs Rd, Northlake, TX 76262, just minutes from North Fort Worth, Roanoke, Justin, Argyle, and Keller. Visit our events page for the current Lenten schedule, or contact us with any questions. We look forward to journeying through Lent — and toward the joy of Easter — with you.