Ash Wednesday - February 18, 2026

Thanksgiving Over the Ashes

Almighty God, you have created us out of the dust of the Earth. Grant that these ashes may be to us a sign of our mortality and penitence, so that we may remember that only by your gracious gift are we given everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. – UM Book of Worship, p. 323

Today is Ash Wednesday. Today we begin a journey of faith. Today we mark ourselves as mortal beings, through the imposition of ashes. Today Lenten fasts begin for those who commit to such faith practices. Today we begin a season of carving a little more time for God in our lives, intentionally renewing or adding new spiritual disciplines. Today is a Wednesday that is different from all other Wednesdays. Today is Ash Wednesday.

What will this year’s Lent journey mean for you? How might you be a little more open in this season to seeing and hearing God’s call upon your life? This season presents an opportunity to live your faith in a more intentional manner. Set aside time for daily prayer and scripture reading. Make worship a priority as you plan your week. Be willing to serve and volunteer your time to help the neighbors around you. Lent is a season where the church invites you to go deeper in your faith so that you may get to know more of Jesus and his way. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. God is waiting to walk this holy journey with you…

Prayer: Everlasting God, because of your tender mercy toward all people, you sent your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to take upon himself our flesh, and to suffer death upon a cross, that all should follow the example of his great humility. Mercifully grant that we may follow the example of his patience and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (#335 The United Methodist Book of Worship)

Rev. David Eardley

Lent 2026 - Introduction

Welcome back to Lent! As always, it has been my honor and joy to edit this book (my 28th as editor and 29th as a contributor!); and as you generally do, you came through for me – and for each other! Not only did I have enough devotions to cover the forty days, I could cover nearly every Sunday with original devotions as well!

Once again we have devotions from some new writers and new members, and a bunch from many of our long-time stalwarts. We are blessed to have so many of you share your thoughts, time, insights, and witness with your church family as we make our slow but sure Lenten journey toward the glory that is Easter.

It was exciting to see themes emerge as I collected and arranged your contributions. This year there was a lot of meditation on Gratitude; on Neighbors, Outreach, and Service; and on Dogs – that sounds like us, doesn’t it? And as we’ve recently finished Shelter Week, that middle theme is more than fitting.

Think of it: the Holy Spirit has led us to share thoughts and stories to encourage us all to live and love like Jesus: not just in the church building, not just in our congregation, but out in the wide world – where His Love, Grace, and Joy are needed (as always) more than ever. As St. Francis of Assisi said: “Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.”

The only other thing I could have wished for would be that He would have led you all to write your devotions a bit earlier. I’m used to a last-minute spate of submissions, but this year I was basically done laying out the book when you flooded me with more.

I know it’s bad form to complain about abundance, and so I won’t – I did manage to move things around and drop some hymns that were covering our open Sundays, making for a nearly all original book again this year. Thank you. I know most of us don’t write often, and for that reason we think we can’t. Let me tell you, you are wrong about that! I’ve had a wonderful time reading, transcribing, and organizing your writings, so don’t stop.

Now, as we have each year since reviving this Lenten tradition, we repeat the introduction from our congregation's first book of devotions, published in 1974:

Keeping a true Lent requires us to be vigilant in many ways: in prayer, study, worship, sacrifice, giving, meditation, and fellowship.

One or all may take precedence, depending upon our daily commitments.

From these devotions, lovingly prepared, may you find a well spring of faith to renew and sustain you, so that the Glorious Triumph that is Easter will remain with you always.

The Lenten Committee

Again, we can but say, “Amen.”

Charlie van Becelaere, Editor