Ash Wednesday
February 18, 2026
February 18, 2026 | Ash Wednesday Livestream Worship Online Bulletin
Prelude
Come and Find the Quiet Center arr. Eric L. Carlson
Words may be found in TFWS#2128
Welcome
Call to Worship
We come with dust on our hands and truth in our hearts.
We come carrying what we have lost
and what we have not yet named.
God does not turn away from dust.
God breathes life into it.
So come—not to pretend, not to perform,
but to return.
Let us worship the One who meets us here.
Hymn
Sunday’s Palms Are Wednesday’s Ashes UMH#2138
Reading from the Old Testament
Joel 2:12-13
Psalm of Responses
Psalm 51:1-17 UMH pp.785 &786
Please sing response 1
Prayer of Confession
Holy God,
We confess that we live distracted lives.
We pretend strength when we feel weak.
We cling to control when we are afraid.
We turn inward when the world is hurting.
Forgive us for the ways we have:
benefited from injustice,
remained silent when courage was needed,
hardened our hearts,
or withheld compassion.
Create in us clean hearts.
Restore to us the joy of your salvation.
Teach us how to live lightly,
honestly, and courageously.
In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
Reading from the Gospels
Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21
Sermon
Dust and Belovedness
Hymn
Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days UMH#269
Imposition of Ashes
Prayer
Hymn
Take Time to Be Holy UMH#395
Benediction
Postlude
Nearer, My God to Thee arr. Jason Tonioli
Today’s worship participants
Our Pastor: Rev. Kelly Dotson
Music Director: Dr. Joel Reed
Worship Arts Associate: Patty Higgins
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