February 18, 2026
7:00PM Worship
Ash Wednesday
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Wednesday, February 2026
Prelude | John Grecia, organ
Seelenbräutigam (Jesus, Still Lead On)
+ Call to Worship
Ash Wednesday
Tune: Ada Drese (1620-1701)
Setting: Paul Manz (1919-2009)
Come, all who are burdened by the middle of the week, with to-do lists half-finished, and our minds in other places. Come, all who are gathered, but not fully present. Oh Lord, open my lips and my mouth will declare your praise. Not half-heartedly, but loudly and boldly. Come, all who are weary and thirst with expectant hope. We wait, we dream, and we praise you, oh Lord. Let us worship and find renewal in your Spirit.
+ Hymn 166: ST. FLAVIAN Lord , Who Throughout These Forty Days + Please stand as you are able.
Prayer of Invocation
Scripture Reading | Psalm 2:1-11
+ Hymn 421: IRISH Have Mercy, God , upon My Life
Scripture Reading | Mark 1:1-15
Anthem | Chancel Choir
Create in Me
Terre Johnson (b. 1959
Create in me a clean heart , O God , and renew a right spirit in me. Cast me not away from thy presence and take not thy holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of thy salvation and uphold me with thy free spirit. Create in me , O God. - Psalm 51:10-12
Prayer for Illumination
Sermon | “Dusty Beginnings” | The Rev. Katy Shevel
Time for Reflection
Invitation to Observe Holy Lent | Adapted from the PC(U.S.A.) and Book of Common Prayer Ash Wednesday Services
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season in the church year known as Lent. Lent is a time to prepare for the celebration of Easter and to renew our life in the mystery of the saving death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We begin this holy season by acknowledging our need for repentance, and for the mercy and forgiveness proclaimed in the gospel of Jesus Christ. We begin our journey to Easter with the sign of ashes, a biblical symbol of mourning and penitence. This ancient sign speaks of the fragility of human life, and marks the penitence of the community of faith. I invite you, therefore, in the name of Christ, to observe a holy Lent by self-examination and penitence, by prayer and fasting, by works of love, and by reading and meditating on the Word of God.
Psalm of Penitence | Psalm 51
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; in your great compassion blot out my offenses. Wash me through and through from my wickedness, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my offenses, and my sin is ever before me.
Against you only have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are justified when you speak and right in your judgment. Indeed, I was born steeped in wickedness, a sinner from my mother’s womb. Indeed, you delight in truth deep within me, and would have me know wisdom deep within. Remove my sins with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me and I shall be purer than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; that the body you have broken may rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my wickedness. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit. Let me teach you ways to offenders, and sinners shall be restored to you. Rescue me from bloodshed, O God of my salvation, and my tongue shall sing of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise. For you take no delight in sacrifice, or I would give it. You are not pleased with burnt offering. The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit; a troubled and broken heart, O God, you will not despise, Favor Zion with your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem. Then you will delight in the appointed sacrifices, in burnt and whole offerings; then young bulls shall be offered up on your altar. Let us pray: God of mercy, you know us better than we know ourselves, and still you love us. Wash us from all our sins, create in us clean hearts & strengthen us by your Holy Spirit that we may proclaim your praise, through Jesus Christ, our Savior & Lord. Amen.
Prayer after Imposition of Ashes & The Lord’s Prayer
+ Hymn 165: ERHALT UNS, HERR The Glory of These Forty Days
Postlude | John Grecia, organ Aberystwyth (Savior, When in Dust to You) Gerald Near (b. 1942) + Benediction
LOOKING AHEAD IN WORSHIP LOOKING IN WORSHIP
Sunday, February 22, 2026
9:30AM & 11:00AM Worship
Rev. Ryan Balsan Preaching First Sunday of Lent
Sunday, March 01, 2026 9:30AM & 11:00AM Worship
Rev. Ryan Balsan Preaching Second Sunday of Lent
PRAYER REQUESTS PRAYER REQUESTS
To submit a prayer request, please visit waynepres.org or call the church office. Please hold the following in prayer: Carl, Dick & Sue Parker, Jane, Jess, John Pitocchelli, Kiki Ross, Lorraine, Lynda, Mayada, Nancy, Richard, Tom & family
2026 LENTEN DEVOTIONALS
DISCIPLESHIP
IN A DIVIDED AGE
2026 LENTEN DEVOTIONALS DISCIPLESHIP A DIVIDED AGE
Matthew’s Gospel invites us to consider how to live faithfully as Christ’s disciples in times of division and uncertainty. This year ’ s Lenten Devotional is written by Teri Ott, editor of Presbyterian Outlook, will be conveniently available to you digitally each week in News & Views. Please contact Rev. Katy at katy@waynepres.org with any questions, or to receive a paper copy.
VISIT OUR WEBSITE
Please scan the QR code to access direct links to all active registrations, and to visit our website. Thank you!
Imposition of Ashes
Prayer after Imposition of Ashes & The Lord’s Prayer
+ Hymn 165: ERHALT UNS, HERR The Glory of These Forty Days
+ Benediction
Postlude | John Grecia, organ Aberystwyth (Savior, When in Dust to You)
LOOKING AHEAD IN WORSHIP LOOKING IN WORSHIP
Sunday, February 22, 2026
9:30AM & 11:00AM Worship
Rev. Ryan Balsan Preaching First Sunday of Lent
PRAYER REQUESTS PRAYER REQUESTS
Gerald Near (b. 1942)
Sunday, March 01, 2026
9:30AM & 11:00AM Worship
Rev. Ryan Balsan Preaching
Second Sunday of Lent
Please hold the following in prayer: Carl, Dick & Sue Parker, Jane, Jess, John Pitocchelli, Kiki Ross, Lorraine, Lynda, Mayada, Nancy, Richard, Tom & family
To submit a prayer request, please visit waynepres.org or call the church office.
2026 LENTEN DEVOTIONALS
2026 LENTEN DEVOTIONALS
DISCIPLESHIP IN A DIVIDED AGE
DISCIPLESHIP A DIVIDED AGE
Matthew’s Gospel invites us to consider how to live faithfully as Christ’s disciples in times of division and uncertainty. This year ’ s Lenten Devotional is written by Teri Ott, editor of Presbyterian Outlook, will be conveniently available to you digitally each week in News & Views. Please contact Rev. Katy at katy@waynepres.org with any questions, or to receive a paper copy.
VISIT OUR WEBSITE
Please scan the QR code to access direct links to all active registrations, and to visit our website. Thank you!
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Wednesday, February 2026
+ Please stand as you are able.
Prelude | John Grecia, organ
Seelenbräutigam (Jesus, Still Lead On)
+ Call to Worship
Ash Wednesday
Invitation to Observe Holy Lent | Adapted from the PC(U.S.A.) and Book of Common Prayer Ash Wednesday Services
Tune: Ada Drese (1620-1701)
Setting: Paul Manz (1919-2009)
Come, all who are burdened by the middle of the week, with to-do lists half-finished, and our minds in other places. Come, all who are gathered, but not fully present. Oh Lord, open my lips and my mouth will declare your praise. Not half-heartedly, but loudly and boldly.
Come, all who are weary and thirst with expectant hope. We wait, we dream, and we praise you, oh Lord. Let us worship and find renewal in your Spirit.
+ Hymn 166: ST. FLAVIAN Lord , Who Throughout These Forty Days
Prayer of Invocation
Scripture Reading | Psalm 2:1-11
+ Hymn 421: IRISH Have Mercy, God , upon My Life
Scripture Reading | Mark 1:1-15
Anthem | Chancel Choir
Create in Me
Terre Johnson (b. 1959
Create in me a clean heart , O God , and renew a right spirit in me. Cast me not away from thy presence and take not thy holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of thy salvation and uphold me with thy free spirit. Create in me , O God. - Psalm 51:10-12
Prayer for Illumination
Sermon | “Dusty Beginnings” | The Rev. Katy Shevel
Time for Reflection
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season in the church year known as Lent. Lent is a time to prepare for the celebration of Easter and to renew our life in the mystery of the saving death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We begin this holy season by acknowledging our need for repentance, and for the mercy and forgiveness proclaimed in the gospel of Jesus Christ. We begin our journey to Easter with the sign of ashes, a biblical symbol of mourning and penitence. This ancient sign speaks of the fragility of human life, and marks the penitence of the community of faith. I invite you, therefore, in the name of Christ, to observe a holy Lent by self-examination and penitence, by prayer and fasting, by works of love, and by reading and meditating on the Word of God.
Psalm of Penitence | Psalm 51
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; in your great compassion blot out my offenses.
Wash me through and through from my wickedness, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my offenses, and my sin is ever before me.
Against you only have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are justified when you speak and right in your judgment. Indeed, I was born steeped in wickedness, a sinner from my mother’s womb. Indeed, you delight in truth deep within me, and would have me know wisdom deep within.
Remove my sins with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me and I shall be purer than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness; that the body you have broken may rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my wickedness.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.
Let me teach you ways to offenders, and sinners shall be restored to you.
Rescue me from bloodshed, O God of my salvation, and my tongue shall sing of your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise. For you take no delight in sacrifice, or I would give it.
You are not pleased with burnt offering.
The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit; a troubled and broken heart, O God, you will not despise, Favor Zion with your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will delight in the appointed sacrifices, in burnt and whole offerings; then young bulls shall be offered up on your altar. Let us pray: God of mercy, you know us better than we know ourselves, and still you love us. Wash us from all our sins, create in us clean hearts & strengthen us by your Holy Spirit that we may proclaim your praise, through Jesus Christ, our Savior & Lord. Amen.