Lent at St. Stephen

Devotional, Study, and Resources

2026 Lenten Theme: A Place at the Table

Write and Reflect

Contribute to our Lenten Devotional

Lenten Devotional and Worship Series Theme:
A PLACE AT THE TABLE
I WANT TO WRITEI WANT TO SUBSCRIBE & RECEIVE REFLECTIONS

During Lent, we will worship and learn together as we explore the moments in Luke’s Gospel when Jesus shares a meal and, in doing so, reveals who he is and what God’s kingdom is like. You are invited to reflect on this same theme for this year’s Lenten Devotional. Your contribution, along with others, will offer personal stories, testimonies, and reflections from which we can all learn as we prayerfully prepare for Easter. 

Choose a Prompt:
Choose one of the below prompts or write something of your own choosing that is similar. For each prompt, explore how its scenario changed your relationship with God, yourself, and other people. 
 Prompt 1 (Welcome):
Was there ever a time when you were welcomed — to a table, in a club or group, in your workplace — when you expected rejection? What did this unexpected act of inclusion feel like? What did you learn about yourself, about others? How were you reminded that God welcomes us, too?
Prompt 2 (Lost and Overlooked):
Think of a time when your own preconceived notions — about a person or a group of people — tempted you to exclude them? What made you change your mind? What did you learn about yourself and other people when you instead chose to greet them with welcome and hospitality? Did God’s welcome of the lost and overlooked figure into your decision making?
Prompt 3 (Receiving Forgiveness):
Write about a time when someone offered you forgiveness. Did you feel like you were worthy or deserving of that act of forgiveness? Did you expect to receive it? How did someone else’s forgiveness of your actions affect your feelings and actions going forward? How were you reminded of God’s own grace and forgiveness offered to you?
Prompt 4 (Offering Forgiveness):
Write about a time when you extended grace or forgiveness to someone else, even when you thought they did not deserve it or they had not sought it. Why did you do it? How did it affect your relationship with the other person? How were you changed in offering this act of grace or forgiveness? How were you reminded of God’s own grace and forgiveness offered to you?
Prompt 5 (God Walks With Us):
Families often gather around the kitchen table to have tough conversations — about finances, relationships, kids. These kinds of kitchen table talks are never easy, but they’re often far more difficult when done alone. Write about a time you had such a conversation. How did it feel knowing you had a partner or team of loved ones tackling this problem together? What did you learn about shared responsibility and healing? How might the problem have been worse if you were facing it alone? Did prayer help in guiding you in this conversation? How were you reminded that God walks with us in times of trouble? 
How to Submit Reflections + Other Info:
  •  FIRST, please submit this form (or click the button below) as soon as possible to let us know you plan to write a reflection. (We need at least 30 to help cover all 40 days of Lent.)
  •  Written reflections should be around 300-500 words, but absolutely no more than 800 words
  •  You may choose a scripture passage and a written prayer to accompany your reflection.
  •  You may choose to include photographs or other multimedia (e.g. links to Youtube videos), as well as links out to other resources or readings. 
  •  Final reflections should be submitted to Matt Comer via email at mcomer@ststephenumc.net.
  •  The deadline for reflections is Sunday, February 8. 
I WANT TO WRITEI WANT TO SUBSCRIBE & RECEIVE REFLECTIONS

Season of Lent: Worship Opportunities

Lenten Worship at St. Stephen

In the Gospel of Luke, some of Jesus’ most profound teaching doesn’t happen in synagogues or on hillsides, but around tables. Again and again, Jesus sits down to eat—with sinners and saints, Pharisees and outcasts, friends and strangers. At these meals, bread is broken, conversations unfold, and the Kingdom of God comes into focus.

Together we'll explore the moments in Luke’s Gospel when Jesus shares a meal and, in doing so, reveals who he is and what God’s kingdom is like. Around the table, Jesus challenges social boundaries, extends grace to the unexpected, confronts self-righteousness, and offers forgiveness, healing, and new life. These stories show us a Savior who welcomes the lost, dignifies the overlooked, and invites everyone into a deeper relationship with God.

It's around the table that Jesus reminds us that there's a place for everyone. No one is too broken, too overlooked, or too far gone to be welcomed by Jesus.

Join us for our Lenten sermon series: A Place at the Table. 

Traditional Service

9am — Sanctuary

ENCOUNTER
St. Stephen's Modern Service
11am — Youth Ministry Center

Worship Online
Online traditional livestream is available on our website, Youtube, and Facebook starting at 9am every Sunday morning. Catch replays of the weekly message every Monday.

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