February 18, 2026 - Ash Wednesday
Welcome
Opening Song
“Come to Me O Weary Traveler” ACS 1017
Psalm 51
Leader: Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; in your great compassion blot out my offenses.
Cong: Wash me through and through from my wickedness, and cleanse me from my sin.
Leader: For I know my offenses, and my sin is ever before me.
Cong: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Leader: Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Cong: Restore to me the joy of your salvation and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.
Song
“Clean”
Pastor: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Cong: And also with you.
Prayer of the Day
Pastor: Gracious God, out of your love and mercy you breathed into dust the breath of life, creating us to serve you and our neighbors. Call forth our prayers and acts of kindness, and strengthen us to face our mortality with confidence in the mercy of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. And all God’s Children said loudly...Amen.
Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he began to speak and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
The Gospel of the Lord...Thanks be to God.
Sermon
"Blessed are the Poor in Spirit"
Song of the Day
“How Long, O God” #698
The Apostles’ Creed
Offering
Anthem (6:00 pm)
"All Flesh is Grass" - Chorale
Prayers
Confession and Forgiveness
Pastor: Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God who forgives all our sin, whose mercy endures forever.
Cong: Amen.
Pastor: Let us confess our sin before God, who removes our guilt and blots out all offenses. First in silence for reflection...Gracious God, have mercy on us according to your steadfast love.
Cong: For seeking worldly delights that deceive us and dishonor you:
Pastor: have mercy on us.
Cong: For desiring self-reliance instead of hungering for your word:
Pastor: have mercy on us.
Cong: For hindering the work of the Spirit.
Pastor: have mercy on us.
Cong: For drawing from the well of self-serving ambition,and for disdaining the living water Christ offers.
Pastor: have mercy on us.
Cong: For disregarding voices from the margin, and for distrusting signs of your healing and hope in the world.
Pastor: have mercy on us.
Cong: For dwelling in tombs of self-pity and discontent, and for disregarding Christ’s call to come forth to life.
Pastor: Through faith you have freely been clothed in the righteousness of Christ. In the name of Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven.The Spirit of the One who raised Christ from the dead dwells in you, pours God’s love into your hearts, and gives you life and peace.
Cong: Amen.
Words of Institution
The Lord’s Prayer
Lamb of God
Setting Three pg 146
Communion Song
“Be Still My Soul”
Communion Blessing & Benediction
Invitation to Lent
Imposition of Ashes
We leave in silence.