Week of February 18, 2026
Rev. Amber Lloyd
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Sundays palms are Wednesdays ashes as another Lent begins;
Thus we kneel before our Maker in contrition for our sins.
We have marred baptismal pledges, in rebellion gone astray;
Now returning, seek forgiveness; grant us pardon, God, this day.
TFWS #2138
Forgiving God,
This Wednesday we mark our foreheads with crosses of ashes. This gritty symbol is a sign of our repentance, a reminder of our mortality, and a signal that we desire to return to you. Where we have failed to be obedient, we ask that you would forgive us. When we have exalted ourselves, we ask that you remind us of these ashes. We are dust, and to dust we will return.
Jesus, before you began your earthly ministry, scripture says that the Holy Spirit drove you into the wilderness where you fasted for 40 long days. With only the wild animals to keep you company, what did you learn there? Your wilderness wandering must have prepared you for the coming years because you left that place to preach peace on a hillside, to minister to the poor and outcast, and to heal the sick. We are about to enter into our own 40 days of wilderness wandering and we ask that your Spirit would meet us there. Give us grace and strength for the journey ahead.
We give you thanks for the cyclical nature of our faith, when the palms we waved in worship last spring become the ashes of our penitence today. Our traditions teach us faithfulness, to trust that you are present with us even in these small ways. Accept our offering of ourselves, O Lord, as we allow these means of grace to mold us into the likeness of Christ.
We intercede on behalf of those in our congregation and community who need you today:
We pray for ….
- A member who is having ongoing health issues; chronic illness. Situation compounded by lack of sick days. No pay when they are not able to come to work.
- Friends who are going through a difficult time.
- God to help us show more love towards one another.
- A member’s healing and rehab after knee replacement surgery on Monday.
- One who has asked for complete healing from cancer
- For one who is recovering after a fall; prayers for complete healing and that he can return to work
- A member who has begun chemotherapy treatments; prayers for healing.
- For a young couple with a child and expecting twins; prayers for good health.
- One who waits on follow up appointment with doctor.
- One who was injured in a motorcycle accident; at home now. Continued prayers for healing.
- A man in his early 30’s who is experiencing painful headaches and a loss of partial vision after a stroke. Prayers for healing and patience.
We continue to pray for …
- A friend who is battling recurrent brain cancer and is having seizures.
- All ministries that are working with people dealing with addiction issues that they may be brought to wholeness
- Our neighbors experiencing homelessness
- For one who is having chemo treatments; prayers for healing and for no side effects.
- A member’s cousin who is waiting on a kidney transplant.
- Friends and family who have needs; prayers for peace and wellbeing.
- Those members who are waiting on test results or waiting for appointments with doctors; may they feel your peace and patience as they wait.
We give thanks for ….
- Positive report from medical team.
- A young man who feels hopeful in job search.
- New neighbors who have moved in and are so kind.
- Good visit with cousins from out of town!
Come and cleanse us, then restore us; make new hearts within us Lord!
Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever.
Amen.
