* Denotes all are invited to stand.
Bold text indicates portions of the service to be spoken or sung by the congregation.

February 18th, 2026

Ash Wednesday

 

Music for Gathering:
Brian Jay, Organist

 

Welcome & Announcements:
Rev. Aaron J. White

 

Introit:
“Ashes to Ashes” by Ken Bible
Alex McCabe

 

Call to Worship:
We come burdened by regrets, trembling in our mourning.
We know that the Lord is gracious and merciful, and we trust that God will lift our burdens.
As one people, with all our differences, we give ourselves to God, seeking healing and redemption.
In honesty and repentance, we worship the Lord and bless God’s holy name.

 

* Hymn #415 “Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy”

 

* Confession of Sin
Have mercy on us, O God. We know the ways we have sinned against you. We know the ways we have done evil. We know the ways we are guilty. We deserve your judgment, and yet we plead: do not cast us away from your presence. Do not take your Holy Spirit from us. Create in us clean hearts. Hide your face from our sins and blot out the evil we have done. Let us hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have crushed rejoice.

 

* Assurance of Pardon
Rev. Aaron J. White
Even now the Lord says, return to me with all your heart.  God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love.
Thanks be to God for this unimaginable grace.

 

* Song of Praise #695  “Change My Heart, O God”

 

* Passing of the Peace

 

Prayer for Illumination

 

First Reading
Isaiah 58:1012

 

Anthem
“Amazing Grace”
Alex McCabe

 

Second Scripture
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

 

Homily
“From Ashes to Reparations”
Rev. Aaron J. White

 

Invitation to Discipleship and Invitation to Observe A Holy Lent (Adapt.)

 

* Hymn #433 “Sign Us with Ashes”

 

Litany of Penitence

 

* Imposition of Ashes

 

Concluding Litany

 

Invitation to the Lord’s Table
   Great Thanksgiving
*Please see informational card within the hymnals or screens for the Lord’s Supper & the Lord’s Prayer.
   The Lord’s Prayer
   The Bread is Broken and the Cup is Filled
   The Communion of the People
   The Prayer After Communion

 

* Hymn #166  “Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days”

 

* Charge & Blessing

 

Leave in Silence

 

Today’s Scripture readings are from the Inclusive Bible: The First Egalitarian Translation. © 2007 Priests for Equality.

Liturgy for today’s worship service is adapted with permission from the following sources: “Prayer for Illumination” and “Blessing” from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year A, Volume 1 © 2013 Westminster John Knox Press. “Invitation to Discipleship and Invitation to Observe a Holy Lent,” “Invitation to the Lord’s Table,” “The Prayer after Communion,” and “Charge” from Connections Worship Companion, Year A, Volume 1. © 2022 Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. “Litany of Penitence,” “Words of Institution,” and liturgy spoken when “The Bread is Broken and the Cup is Filled” from the Book of Common Worship. © 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. All other liturgy from Call to Worship: Liturgy, Music, Preaching, and the Arts. Vol 59.1 (online version) © 2025 The Office of Theology and Worship of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). All rights reserved.