Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21; Deuteronomy 8:1-18 | Given the choice to spend your days in rocky, sandy desert with water miles away, or to spend your days in lush forests or on a beach-side chair, many of us would choose the latter. However, in the season of Lent, we’re intentionally invited into the wilderness as a time of preparation. Why? And how is this sojourn into the wilderness important as we live as followers of Jesus in the world today? Join us for worship this evening as we commit ourselves once again to the disciplines of Lent, and as we open ourselves to the refining and transforming work of the Spirit in the desert.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026, Ash Wednesday
Copyright acknowledgements: Music covered under CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A.Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. ELW Setting 4, © 2022 Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission. Gathering Hymn: Bless Now, O God, the Journey. Text and Music: Sylvia G. Dunstan. Text: © 1991 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: As Your Spirit in the Desert. Text and Music: Susan Palo Cherwien, Michael Costello. Text and Music: © 2012. 2015 Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Covered under One License subscription. Imposition of Ashes: Dust We Are And Shall Return. Text and Music: John Arndt, Kate Gungor, Michael Gungor. Text and Music: © Replied Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Remaining portion is unaffiliated. Covered under CCLI subscription. Offering: As the Deer. Text and Music: Martin Nystrom. Text and Music: © 1984 Jubilate Music Group. 1987 Maranatha! Music. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Songs: Only Grace. Text and Music: Lenora Rand, Hannah Rand. Text and Music © 2016 Plural Guild LLC. Covered under One License subscription.Sending Song: O Lord, throughout These Forty Days. Text: based on Claudia F. Hernaman, 1838-1898; para, Gilbert E. Doan Jr., b. 1930. Music: A. Davisson, Kentucky Harmony, 1815; arr. Theodore A. Beck, 1929-2003. Text: © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Music: © 1969 Concordia Publishing House. Covered under One License subscription.