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The Season of Lent • Year A
Seasonal Resource Page for 2026
The general tone for worship during Lent should be reflective without being somber. Simplicity in liturgical elements and hymnody is conducive to setting the appropriate tone. As part of the reflective nature of this season, there is an emphasis on repentance. In the early church, Lent was the period when new believers experienced the catechumenate in preparation for the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. In this season, we are not only reminded of Jesus' faithful and intentional journey to the cross, but also of his calling for us to "take up the cross" and follow him.
RCL Year C - Lent Worship Planning Guide
RCL Year C - Holy Week Worship Planning Guide
This resource by Pastor Mark Anderson was produced by our friends at Luther House of Study and is made available for congregations using the Augsburg Version of the RCL.
Lenten Service Bulletin Templates
The links below take you to files you may want to use for your Ash Wednesday Service. The first is a standard liturgy with rubrics for the confession and imposition of ashes; the second is an editable bulletin template for an entire Ash Wednesday service. The last item is a simple set of instructions on how to burn palms and make the ash paste for worship.
Liturgy for Confession and the Imposition of Ashes (PDF — service handout)
Ash Wednesday Bulletin Template (docx file — formatted for printing back to back)
Preparation of Ashes for Worship
Rite for Burning Palms into Ashes
Ash Wednesday Liturgy (PDF service)
This liturgy, written by Pastor Mark Schimmel, is based on the Ten Commandments and Luther's Explanations. It focuses on the worshipping community on sin and the forgiveness that God offers through Jesus Christ. Using the Small Catechism, this service reminds of us our brokenness and need for Christ, and then moves us to confession, absolution, and the imposition of ashes. (Note about copying these pages: copy back to back the pages that are numbered 1 & 6 - 2 & 5. Then make two copies of pages 3 & 4 and then copy that one back to back and cut it in half. You will have a double-sided bulletin with a half-page insert.)
Linked here are basic bulletin templates for Lent and Holy Week services, provided as editable Docx files:
Midweek Lent Bulletin Template
(vespers adapted from 1930 American Lutheran Hymnal)
Maundy Thursday Service Template
Good Friday Service Template
Passion Narratives in Character Parts
For some of the extended Scripture readings during Holy Week, consider using many readers together in a chorale reading in narrator and character parts. Download the document files below:
Palm Sunday Passion Narrative from Matthew (Year A: Matthew 26:30 - 27:66 ESV)
Palm Sunday Passion Narrative from Mark (Year B: Mark 14:26 - 15:39 ESV)
Palm Sunday Passion Narrative from Luke (Year C: Luke 22:39 - 23:49 ESV)
Maunday Thursday Mandatum Reading (John 13:1-15: Story of the Footwashing)
Good Friday Passion Reading (John 18-19: Story of the Passion)
Other Seasonal Lenten Downloads
Seasonal Worship Infograph: A brief overview of worship through the seasons.
"Let Us Pray" Daily Readings
Year A
Year B
Year C
Use this set us readings for Lent for your congregation to keep them in the Word during this penitential season. Simply download the print-ready PDF and copy as many as you need.
Prayer Partners: Want to encourage disciples in your parish to pray for one another? Use this sheet as a means to match up people to be prayer partners. It includes the "Hand Prayer."
Alleluias for Hiding
Want to hide the Alleluias for Lent but don't have time to make them?
Why the Ashes?
Use this print-ready PDF to help explain why we use ashes on Ash Wednesday. There are two versions: one for adults and one for children.
People of the Passion Bookmarks: Copy this print-ready PDF of the cast of characters that played a role in the Passion of Christ to help worshippers keep track of who's who. (Written by Steve King)
Bidding Prayer for Good Friday
(adapted from the Service Book and Hymnal)
Penitential Prayers for Ash Wednesday and Lent
Written by Pastor Cathy Ammlung
More Suggestions for Lent Worship by Pastor Cathy Ammlung
The Old Rugged Cross
During the season of Lent, if your congregation normally uses a decorative gold altar or processional cross, consider using instead a more rustic cross made of sticks or branches. It can be carried in during the entrance hymn by the presiding minister or an acolyte as a reminder of Jesus' injunction to "take up your cross and follow me." You may also consider having a flat cross placed on the chancel floor where worshippers can kneel after the service to pray before leaving in silence (especially on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday).