A Journey Within: Lent from the Inside Out

What is Lent All About, and Why Does It Matter?



If you are new to St. Michael’s or the Episcopal Church, you might find yourself curious when you hear neighbors or friends talk about “observing Lent” or “giving something up.” Is it just a spiritual diet, or is there something deeper at play?

In its simplest form, Lent is an invitation. It is the 40-day season (excluding Sundays) stretching from Ash Wednesday to the threshold of Easter. If our lives were a long-distance journey, Lent would be the intentional pit stop.

We routinely take our cars to the mechanic before a road trip for an assessment—to align the wheels, check the fluids, and ensure everything is humming as it should. Similarly, Lent from the Inside Out is our time for a spiritual tune-up. It is an opportunity to look "under the hood" of our hearts, realigning our daily rhythms with God’s grace and balancing our busy lives with much-needed introspection.

Your Lenten Roadmap for 2026

This year, we aren't just "doing" Lent; we are experiencing it together through a series of diagnostic tools designed to help you grow:

• The Sermon Series: Each Sunday, our worship will focus on the theme of internal transformation, exploring how God works from the heart outward.

• Faith Formation (Sundays at 9 AM): This is where the "inside work" happens in community. Join us as we process what we’ve heard in the morning’s sermon, sharing insights and reflecting together in a supportive environment.

• Listening with the Heart: Online Lenten Series exploring the practices of Lectio, Audio, & Visio Divina. Taking place Thursdays in Lent.

• Daily Lenten Reflections: Pick up your Lenten Guide & Reflections booklet on Shrove Sunday, featuring reflections written by your fellow parishioners.

• The Lenten Bible Challenge: A guided path through Scripture to keep your "internal GPS" locked on Christ.



• Rhythms of Prayer: Join us for Morning Prayer in the chapel, Wednesday Noonday Prayer, or the quiet, meditative close of the day with Wednesday evening Compline.

Pope Francis once beautifully noted, “God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy.” Lent is not a demanding duty or a test of willpower; it is a gift of mercy. It is a fresh opportunity to cultivate a deeper, more honest relationship with the God who already knows your heart and loves you completely.

May the Holy Spirit empower you with inner strength and clarity as we begin this journey from the inside out.

In Christ’s Love,

Last Chance to RSVP

Join us tomorrow night!

Please email tiffany@stmichaelschurch.com if you would like to be placed on the VBS waitlist.

CHOIR RECRUITING IS 24/7/365: COME SING WITH US!

• ……maybe a “New Year’s Resolution?”

• ESPECIALLY….

• CHILDREN – ALL AGES: Angels Choir and Family Choir
• TENORS: are you that rare breed of man with a TENOR voice: …always can use a couple more!

Last week we took close to 500 lbs of food to Lake Silver and Edgewater High Schools. THANK YOU – to everyone who participated in January. Next Feed My Lambs Sunday: February 15.

PLEASE NOTE: in regards to this ministry, for those not presently attending church, and maybe watching online, if you’d like to participate when we are not actively in the week of “bag filling and collecting”, it is possible to arrange for AMAZON and/or PUBLIX to deliver food to the church.

MUSIC DEPARTMENT

THIS WEEK:

Sunday, 2-8-26

• 9:15 – Rehearsal
• 10:15 – SERVICE

Wednesday, 2-11-26

• 5:00 – ANGELS CHOIR
• 5:30 – Music Reading and Vocal Training
• 6:30 – St. Michael’s Family Choir
• 8:00’ish – Chamber Singers 

SING!!! LOUDLY!! MOUTH OPEN!! ….ON SUNDAY! YES – OTHERS MAY HEAR YOU!




Check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxvXGgSlRcs&list=RDYxvXGgSlRcs&start_radio=1



Powerful singing of “Be thou my vision” – also from Beverly Minster, located in Beverly, Yorkshire, UK.

COULD WE/YOU SOUND LIKE THAT?? …ON SUNDAY AT THE 10:15?

WHY DO THEY? …..AND THE PLACE IS PACKED!!!

It’s a nationally televised Sunday evening program by the BBC – “Songs of Praise” – cameras there! 

• “….better open my mouth, look like I’m into it - in case Aunt Bertha or Grandma is watching!!”

ORGANIZED SINGING/MUSIC! …aka CHOIRS! 
….or BANDS!

PLEASE NOTE: the combination of God’s sacred Word, actively serving, “doing”, in community with others, ALL focused on achieving one goal – there is a high probability you may come face to face with the Living God!

CHOIR TRAINING PROGRAM (primarily for Choir Members – but open to ANYONE!)

• Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30 PM –vocal / reading music / Worship & Liturgy training.

ST. MICHAEL’S FAMILY CHOIR

• ALL AGES! Kids who LOVE to sing (1^st/2^nd Grade good readers thru High School), plus any singing parents, all the way up thru Retired Folks, singing together as a FAMILY!
• Wednesdays: 6:30-8:00 (Chamber Singers – a small group of Adults who enjoy more demanding material - continues thru 8:30’ish)
• Sundays: 9:15 thru end of 10:15 Service

ANGELS CHOIR

• Ages Birth thru 1^st Grade – with parents
• Wednesdays, 5:00-5:30

ST. MICHAEL’S BAND

• Keyboard/drums/bass-guitar… LOOKING FOR…
• Flute, saxophone, other solo-type instruments, lead male/female vocalist

CARILONNEURS

• Folks who can read and play a melody “one-finger” at a minimum
• Play before and after 10:15 services – Funerals too

JOINING ANY CHOIR/GROUP:

1. Show up ONE time – observe or join in! ….you had a good time?
2. Try for a month
3. Still GREAT! Then stay! ….or, you’ve realized “this is not my cup of tea”

NEED MORE INFO? 

….please contact Andrew (email: andrew@stmichaelschurch.com / office: 407-843-8448 x.246 / cell: 407-619-0967)

ALSO to join the “Choir Training Program” session either in person OR AT HOME!

ST. MICHAEL'S PRAYER LIST

Those who have commended themselves to our prayers:

Alan, Ellen, Eloise, Emmanuel, Jackie, Janina G., Karen H., Linda D., Linda T., Lisa L., Muriel M., Patrick H., Perrin, Roger J., Robby, Sharon, Steve C., Susan M., Tim, Victor, Wilson F.

Long-Term Prayer List:

Angela, Alex, Alexa C., Alyssa R., Andrew, Angie, Ashley T., Benny W., Betsy C., Beth, Brigid, Brittney R., Bryan Family, Cannon, Carla, Carolyn, Caryl, Charlie B., Chris M., Chris P., Claire B., Colton, Conklin/ Hiller Family, Connor R., Curt. R., Cynthia L., Darrell, David B., Deirdre E., Ella, Elijah, Emma, Emily, Eugenia, Felicia, Gary B., Gary M., George T., Gladys M., Gylla, Henry R., Isabella, Jacob B., Jan, Jason, Jeffrey, Jett B., Joyce B., Joanne O., Joseph T., Jimmie, Joe, Joe H., Joey K., John M., Justin, Karen, Karen C., Karen M., Kathy G., Kristel, Kris R., Kyle, Lavelle B., Linda, Linda A., Lisa L., Lisa, Lola, Lucille, Macauly D., Marci A., Margie S., Marion S., Mary, Mary C., Mary P., Mary Lu, Matt P., Megan and son, Melissa, Martin, Nathan W., Oliver, Paul, Paul T., Paula, Pauline, Phil, Polly, Rebecca, Russ R., Ryan, Sally C., Sam, Sarah, Shaun B., Sonia, Stephanie G., Steve, Susana C., Susan A., Susie D., The Allen Family, Therese, Tim, Tracy, Tripp, Virginia C., Wayne, Wendy, Will, William

Rest in Peace: Ed Borsoi

Those serving in the armed forces and in harm’s way:

Aaron D., Bradley H., Carolyn H., Chad S., Christopher E., Gloria, Hank H., Hope H., Jonah H., Kenneth K., Ben V., Nick R., Will M., Stuart R.

Birthdays:

6: Alyssa Yates, Nate Flynn, Eleanor McHugh, 7: Claudia Kasen, 8: Kristie Loughran, Jasper Woodsby, 9: Kalee Eichelberger, 10: Rick Arkins, 11: Ashley Bedell, Bobbie Lang, Lucy Gosselin

Anniversaries:

5: Bill and Sally Kennedy, 8: Parker and Brittany Cook

A Gentle Reminder About the Prayer List

If you or your loved one has experienced healing and no longer needs to be on the prayer list, we ask that you let us know. It is a joy to give thanks to God for the blessings of restored health and life, and your update helps us make room to lift others in prayer who are in need of support from the St. Michael’s community.

To place someone on the prayer list, please get in touch with Ashleigh in the parish office at ashleigh@stmichaelschurch.com

CLERGY AND MINISTERIAL STAFF

The Rev. Rick Luoni, Rector

The Rev. Greg Favazza, Assisting Priest

Andrew J. Walker, Director of Music

Ella Eagen, Assistant Director of Music

Mike Robertson, Director of Outreach

Tiffany Stieger, Director of Children’s Ministry

Melanie Olivier, Director of Preschool

Mark T. Cole, Director of Youth Ministries