A EXPlanation & GUIDE for lent at Summit Church 2026

Please take some time to look through this guide and join us in this season of decrease and self-denial as we turn our attention and affections toward Christ.

We have made it our goal this year at Summit to lean in to the Historic Church Calendar. Part of what this means is that we make the effort to learn more about each of the important dates and seasons in the liturgical year. We started by celebrating Advent throughout the month of December—which is the beginning of the church calendar. We then recognized Epiphany, which occurs on the twelfth day after Christmas and celebrates the visit of the Magi. The next important date is Ash Wednesday, which takes place 40 days prior to Easter (excluding Sunday’s) and is marked by a season of gospel-motivated repentance and confession known as Lent. This year, we will be having an Ash Wednesday Service on February 18th at Summit Cherrydale at 6:30pm. The goal of the evening will be to explain the meaning of Ash Wednesday and Lent, acknowledge God’s kindness that leads to genuine repentance, and consider what it could look like for each of us to deepen our focus upon Jesus these forty days leading up to Easter. Our theme this Lenten season is out of John 3:30, which says “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Our goal will be to pause each day between February 18 and April 5 at 3:30pm to call to mind this verse, and make it our collective prayer to elevate Jesus in our hearts, minds, and actions. We invite you to join us!

Family guide

This is a reading guide used in conjunction with The Biggest Story Bible, and families are encouraged to take your time reading several of these each week during Lent.

Lent playlist - SPOTIFY

Some encouraging and reflective songs as you navigate through this lenten season.

The cross

Additional resources