Ash Wednesday 2026

On February 18, our church family gathered for an evening that marked the beginning of Lent.

We began with a delicious soup dinner, sharing food and conversation around tables filled with laughter and meaningful connection. Our
kids and students participated in a hands-on craft to reflect and prepare their hearts for the journey toward Easter.

The service that followed invited us into a deeper posture of reflection. Through special songs, Scripture readings, responsive prayers,
teaching, confession, and silence, we confronted both our mortality and our need for God’s grace. Many came forward to receive ashes, the ancient sign of sorrow and repentance. Marked with the cross, we were reminded that we are dust, and to dust we shall return, yet also that God’s love is triumphant over sin and death. The evening closed with a beautiful assurance of forgiveness.

Ash Wednesday begins the 40 days of Lent, not counting Sundays, leading us to Easter. Lent is a season of self-examination, repentance, self-denial, conversion, and growth. The word itself is rooted in the idea of springtime and new life. It is a time for spiritual spring cleaning, putting aside what weighs us down so we can more fully walk with Christ. We move through Lent so that our celebration of Easter may be authentic, a true dying and rising with Jesus into new life.

This Sunday, February 22, we begin our Lenten sermon series, "40 Days of Decrease." Together, we will explore what it means to release our inner burdens and outer striving so that God might increase in us. Using the "40 Days of Decrease" devotional, available in the lobby, we will learn to keep company with Jesus and discover the unforced rhythms of grace.

May this season help us catch our breath.

May You, Lord, increase.
May we decrease.