New resources for Lent are available from the PC(USA) and its partners
Offerings include lectionary lists, music ideas and an action calendar
This year, the season of Lent begins with a gentle reminder from the Gospel of Matthew for people not to practice their righteousness in front of others. The Revised Common Lectionary’s gospel reading for March 5 covers selected verses in chapter 6 of Matthew’s gospel and reminds readers that devotional acts are their own reward. The Ash Wednesday liturgy from Call To Worship summarizes the day’s reading from Matthew in this way: “Don’t flaunt your fasting and prayer; store up treasure in heaven.”
In the days of social media, fasting from public performance may be its own practice in piety.
Several offices and partners of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) have released new Lenten devotionals and resources to help followers of Jesus draw closer to the Word of God from March 5 to April 20.
The following are a few of the newest resources:
Call to Worship: Liturgy, Music, Preaching, and the Arts provides worship and music ideas for every service in Lent 2025 from Ash Wednesday through Holy Week, as well as the rest of Revised Common Lectionary Year C. New subscribers may use the coupon code 5offCTW to receive a $5 discount.
And those who aren’t giving up their smartphones for Lent can follow a series of readings through the Gospel of John’s “book of signs” (chapters 1–12) with the PC(USA) Daily Prayer App.
The PC(USA) also offers printable lectionary lists for Lent 2025 that include daily Bible readings from Ash Wednesday through the Resurrection of the Lord in a downloadable resource called Lectionary Lists for Lent 2025.
The Presbyterian Hunger Program has developed “Tread Lightly for Lent,” a reflection-action calendar to help people to “slow down, take time, and examine our internal spiritual lives and the way we live out our Christian faith in the world around us” as they consider how to turn the tide on the changing global climate, which has translated into “warmer temperatures, rising sea levels and severe storms, just to name a few.” The Presbyterian Hunger Program hopes that the Lenten calendar may be the beginning of actions intended to create long-lasting mindful behaviors that promote sustainable choices and protect the environment.
On Feb. 19, Justice Unbound will release daily reflections through “Finding Holy Ground: Daily Litanies, Liturgies, and Mantras for the Lenten Season.” According to its website, which hosts both a journal and a community forum, the online resource and community “examines, expresses and encourages commitments to social justice as inspired by the prophetic gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Presbyterian Youth and Triennium is one of the sponsors of a year-round digital devotional that features a special Lenten series called “Journey to the Cross,” which will run on d365.org from March 3 through April 27. This series features Scripture, prayer and meditative thoughts accompanied by gentle music. This year’s Presbyterian writers are the Rev. Marissa Galván-Valle, pastor at Beechmont Presbyterian Church in Louisville, and the Rev. Cari Pattison, pastor at Woodstock Reformed Church in Woodstock, New York.
The Presbyterian Publishing Company has two new releases for Lent in 2025.
“Turning Over Tables: A Lenten Call for Disrupting Power” offers weekly reflection questions, grief and gratitude prompts and practical actions to build a more just world. Writer Kathy Escobar guides readers on a Lenten journey inspired by the ways of Jesus to dismantle the systems that perpetuate inequality and injustice.
N.T. Wright, a beloved writer of biblical commentary, offers “From Wilderness to Glory: Lent and Easter for Everyone.” In this short paperback, Wright invites readers to think, pray, and reflect through the stories of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection with daily Lenten and Easter devotions that combine Scripture, insightful reflections and thought-provoking questions for individual or group study.
Whether through old or new practices and prayers, pursued in private or in public, there are many treasures to discover during Lent.
“Turning Over Tables” and “From Wilderness to Glory” can be purchased through the PC(USA) online store.
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