Join us as we move through the Lenten journey and into the excitement of Easter and the promise of the Risen Christ.
Lent & Easter
Lenten Devotionals
Visit the table in the Narthex to pick up this year’s free devotional guide with scripture, prayers, artwork, and music from A Sanctified Art, designed for the Lenten period.
This year’s guide “Tell Me Something Good” is inspired by ancient Lenten practices where those wishing to join the early church spent the season of Lent studying the life and works of Jesus, focusing on the "Good News" of Christ's life, death, and resurrection. This year's devotional is inspired by the Biblical stories of Jesus's ministry and reminds us of the radical welcome and inspiring teachings that are a core part of the Christian experience.
Regular print and large print copies are available for pick-up at the church. Contact Erin in the church office at stpaulsunited@stpaulsk.org to request a copy by mail.
Lenten Study
UMC 101
Sundays, Feb. 22 - March 22, 2026
12:00-1:00 PM in Room 109
Pastor Joey will lead this 5-week adult study during Lent. A light soup lunch will be served.
This is the perfect class for new attenders, long-time members, and everyone interested in diving into what it means to be United Methodist. Each class session has a different focus, so you can drop in to a single class or come to all five meetings for the full experience.
Email Pastor Joey (joeyhm@stpaulsk.org) for more information.
Easter Lily ORders
St. Paul’s Sanctuary will have Easter lilies this year. Lily sponsors may make a dedication, in memory or honor of loved ones, which will be shared in our commemorative Lily Bulletin. The cost per plant is $20.
Online ordering using a credit card is available March 5-27, 2026. Click the button to go to our secure online order form.
In-person ordering using cash or check will be available by visiting out Lily Volunteers between worship services on March 8, 15, and 22 in the Narthex.
Sponsors may take home their plants following the 10:30 AM worship service on Easter Sunday or during office hours the following week. (Please note, the church office is closed on Easter Monday.)
Egg My Yard
How would you like to wake up to a yard filled with candy-stuffed eggs from the Easter Bunny? We can make it happen! Please sign up soon so we can plan our efforts accordingly. Proceeds from the Egg My Yard Fundraiser for 2026 will support St. Paul's Youth activities.
30 eggs = $30
50 eggs = $50
70 eggs = $70
To participate, email Rachel Stalcup directly or fill out this form: https://forms.gle/LC5eGAQCqvbtFFs8A.
Once you've submitted the form, one of the volunteers will confirm your order. You can make the payment using our secure credit card processing portal by clicking the button.
You must live in Rockville/Silver Spring/Kensington area. Your Easter eggs will be delivered either Friday or Saturday night before Easter (based on your preference). Please share this with your friends and neighbors, or consider signing up to "egg" another house! Last day to sign up is Wednesday, March 25.
Holy Week & EASTEr Worship
Worship Opportunities and Events are listed below. All are welcome.
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Palm & Passion Sunday
March 29, 2026
9:00 AM & 10:30 AM
Commemorate both the triumphant arrival of Jesus into Jerusalem, and the turn the crowd takes that will lead to the crucifixion. Communion is offered at 9:00 AM. The 10:30 service includes the Sanctuary Choir and will also be viewable through our livestream - Worship at Home (click here!).
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Maundy Thursday
April 2, 2026
7:30 PM
Featuring the Sanctuary Choir with strings
In-person in the Sanctuary
Livestreaming at stpaulsk.org/worship/worship-at-home
Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday follows the last days of Jesus including the last supper. Join Music Director N. Thomas Pedersen, our Sanctuary Choir, and the mellow mournful sounds of violin and cello for this special Maundy Thursday worship service.
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Good Friday
Friday, April 3, 2026
7:30 PM
In-person in the Sanctuary
Livestreaming at stpaulsk.org/worship/worship-at-home
Good Friday, also sometimes called Black Friday or Holy Friday, commemorates the crucifixion and death of Christ. The service will be somber and reflective, and features music selected by organist Marvin Mills. Worship in-person in the the Sanctuary or visit the Worship at Home page for the livestream.
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Easter Sunday
April 5, 2026
6:30 AM - First Service of Easter - sunrise worship outdoors
9:00 AM - in-person in the Sanctuary at St. Paul's
10:30 AM - in-person in the Sanctuary at St. Paul's and livestreaming
Celebrate the message of hope made alive in the resurrection of Jesus Christ!
The First Service of Easter will be held outdoors in the garden-like setting of Clum-Kennedy Park at 6:30 AM to correspond closely with sunrise. Parking is available between Johnson's flowers and Old Town Market on Kensington Parkway. David Weaver and Beth Pierce will provide simple guitar music to celebrate the day. As with our outdoor services in the past, please plan to bring your own chairs and dress comfortably for whatever the weather might bring.
Easter Worship in the Sanctuary. Both the 9:00 AM & 10:30 AM services will be held in the Sanctuary of St. Paul's UMC at 10401 Armory Avenue, and will include the Sanctuary Choir and festive brass. The children's Easter Egg Hunt will follow the 10:30 service - please read more below!
The 10:30 service will also be livestreamed for those who prefer to worship at home. You will be able to find the video and a downloadable *pdf of the worship bulletin on our Worship at Home page.
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Easter Egg Hunt Donations WELCOME
April 5, 2026
following the 10:30 worship service
Children in Grade 5 and younger are invited to bring a basket or bag on Easter Sunday and participate in an Easter Egg Hunt following the 10:30 AM worship service. Children will gather for coloring activities in the Octagon and will be called to Reinhardt Park (immediately across from St. Paul's front doors) by age group for the Easter Egg hunt.
Donations of stuffed plastic eggs are welcome! (No nuts or chocolates, please!) Drop off donations at the church office, March 15-29. This year's Easter Egg Hunt volunteer coordinators are Meg Baker and Megan Montgomery! Please contact the church office or reach out to Meg directly if you would like to assist.
Easter Offerings
God has blessed the ministries of this church and has allowed us a vision that looks far beyond our own Sanctuary to see people and places in need. Each year, we dedicate 100% of our Easter Special Offering to serve those outside the walls of St. Paul's.
St. Paul's leaders serving in the Simplified Accountability Model determine which organizations benefit from the Easter Special Offering donations. For 2026, the Easter Offering will be divided between UMCOR - Area of Greatest Need for national and international disaster relief, and the Shelter Meals program where we provide weekly meals for Interfaith Works shelters helping the unhoused locally in Montgomery County.
To donate online by credit card, click the button to go to our secure payment portal.
Donations by cash or check may be sent to St. Paul's by mail (St. Paul's UMC, 10401 Armory Avenue, Kensington MD 20895) or drop-off any time using the office door mail slot. Checks should be made payable to "St. Paul’s UMC" with the words “Easter Offering” on the memo line. Special offering envelopes will be available in the worship bulletins for Easter Sunday.
Please note, all other offerings or donations, such as those toward regular giving or pledges, should be made using an envelope other than the Easter Offering envelope. Thank you!
