A Lenten Journey from Sin to Grace 2025

Lent, the 40-day liturgical season leading up to Easter, is a time of repentance, self-examination, and spiritual renewal. Rooted in Christ’s 40 days in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), Lent invites believers to reflect on their need for God’s grace, acknowledging sin and seeking transformation through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

Greg Jarrell’s, Our Trespasses provides a compelling lens for understanding the communal and systemic nature of sin, emphasizing how broken relationships—personal and societal—call for reconciliation. His exploration of sin as something woven into the fabric of our shared lives aligns with Lent’s call to repentance, not just as individual confession but as a reorientation toward justice and healing in the world. ‘Greg's book uncovers how race, geography, policy and religion have created haunted landscapes in Charlotte and calls us to consider how we value our lands, livelihoods, and communities.’ You are invited to purchase Greg’s book online or pick one up from the church office for $20. 

Whether attending special worship services, serving alongside our mission partners, committing to a Lenten Bible study on the themes of sin and grace, or reading and discussing Greg Jarrell’s book, you are invited to join us on a journey through the cross toward Easter resurrection.

Adult Bible Study and Education Opportunities for Lent, March 5 - April 13

  • Guided Book Discussions on Our Trespasses: each week learners will discuss portions of Jarrell’s book.
    • Sunday Mornings at 9:30am- Selwyn Avenue Parlor
    • Sunday Mornings at 9:30am- Quail Hollow Parlor
  • A Theological Journey from Sin to Grace: All questions, doubts, and curiosities welcomed as we approach the biblical themes of sin and grace in preparation of Easter.
    • Sunday Mornings at 9:30am- Selwyn Avenue Chapel
    • Wednesday Afternoons at 1pm- Quail Hollow Campus

Lenten Guest Scholars and Preachers at Selwyn Avenue

We will gather in the chapel on the Selwyn Campus at 9:30am, then be led in worship by our guest preachers at 10:30am. The 9:30am education hour will be live streamed for those gathered on the Quail Campus.

  • Sunday, March 16: From Sin to Grace, Dr. Rich Voelz, Union Presbyterian Seminary Professor
  • Sunday, April 20: Our Trespasses, Rev. Greg Jarrell

Serving, Gathering, and Worshipping Through Lent

Ash Wednesday, March 5

  • Columbarium Prayer and Imposition of Ashes, 7:30am-9am. For all those with an early commute, pass through the columbarium on Selwyn Avenue to receive the imposition of ashes as we mark our turn toward the cross.
  • Combined 5:30pm Dinner and 6:30pm Worship on the Quail Hollow Campus. Childcare will be available. 

Sunday, March 9 Second Sunday Service: All ages are invited to gather at 12pm on the Selwyn Campus as we learn and engage in the support of our friends and neighbors who attend Montclaire Elementary School.

Palm Sunday, April 13

  • Palm Sunday worship on both campuses. At Selwyn Avenue the children choir will sing and Rev. Greg Jarrell will teach and preach.  
  • Second Sunday Service: We will gather at 12pm on the Selwyn Campus prior to traveling uptown to participate in a walking tour, 1pm-3:30pm, including time for lunch. Led by Greg Jarrell, participants will explore uptown Charlotte searching for stories of ‘exclusions and invisibilities’ and looking for the untold stories built into our cityscape that continue to determine our future. ‘Charlotte’s Haunted Future’ covers 2 miles with several stops for rest. Space is limited and registration is required. 

Maundy Thursday, April 17

  • Combined 5:30pm Dinner and 6:30pm Worship on the Selwyn Avenue Campus. Childcare will be available. 

Easter Sunday, April 20 Morning Worship Services 

  • 8:30am- Worship on the Quail Hollow Campus
  • 10:30am- Worship on the Selwyn Avenue Campus 
  • Childcare will be available.

Children’s Christian Formation during the Lenten Season 

Sunday Mornings

  • Our youngest children (0-3) are greeted by four experienced caregivers in the nursery room. Volunteers read stories with the children and sing. There are snacks provided and time to go out on the playground.  
  • Children four years and older will gather in the Bowman Building at 9:30am to learn. Using the PCUSA curriculum, Follow Me, Practice Spiritual Disciplines, we will explore prayer, service and bible study. These disciplines and practices allow us to draw closer to God.   
  • Worship Readiness 2.0 for our second grade to fourth grade students will meet March 9 through March 30, 9:30am in the Bowman Building Tween Room. Exploring how and why we worship, learners will engage scripture, investigate the bulletin, and learn the essential prayers and creeds we use in worship. This class culminates with our children helping to lead worship on March 30 as we recognize them for their commitment to deepen their understanding of faith. 
  • Children’s Chapel Time meets every Sunday during a portion of the worship hour. Children four years to second grade are invited to leave the sanctuary with adult leaders to explore the scriptures of the day after the Children’s Message is offered. Learners return to the sanctuary during the offertory. 

Sunday Evenings

SAPC’s Tween Bible Study Group will meet March 16 and 23 at 5:30pm. 3rd to 5th grade students will join SAPC’s Christian Educator, Nancy Nutter, in the fellowship hall for dinner and study. This season we will cover the Ministry of Jesus. We will read scriptures and enjoy games and projects that encourage our understanding of Jesus life and mission.    

Thursday Evenings

Our Children’s Choir (4 years old and older), will practice on March 20 and 27 and April 3 and 10 at 5:30pm in the Chapel near the Welcome Center. Music Director, Dr. Fred Spano, and Mrs. Nutter lead the children through music and song for the season. The Children will sing in worship on April 13, Palm Sunday.