2026 Ash Wednesday and Lent

                     By Pastor Don Giesmann

"For dust you are and to dust you will return" (Genesis 3:19) This Scripture was widely used yesterday on Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday, February 18, was the start of Lent this year. Throughout the day and evening, services were held throughout the world with the imposition of ashes on foreheads in the sign of the cross. The ashes are traditionally made from the burning of the palms from the previous year's Palm Sunday.

Lent is the time of preparing our lives, in our minds, hearts, and souls for Easter. 

It's a time to recognize more and more God's mercy and forgiveness of our sins through Jesus Christ our Lord. Its a time of reflection and humbling ourselves.

Lent is for 40 days (not including the 6 Sundays). We are reminded of Jesus time in the wilderness of fasting for 40 days. Early church fasting included giving up meat and that practice continues among many. 

The first Sunday in Lent 2026 is February 22. The sixth Sunday in Lent is March 29 which is Palm Sunday. Easter is on April 5.  The liturgical color in worship during Lent is purple or violet. On Easter the liturgical color is white.

Pretzels were invented by monks, were made in a simple ways following the rules of fasting. The shape showed arms folded over the chest, the common way of praying in that early time. 

Catholics, Anglicans, Methodists, and Lutherans are the largest denominational groups that observe Ash Wednesday. Some other denominations do also. Some local churches in denominations do and some don't observe Ash Wednesday.  The Eastern Orthodox churches generally do not observe Ash Wednesday. Some Evangelical groups and churches do and some don't. Most UCC churches observe Ash Wednesday. Most Christians worldwide including the UCC observe Lent in various ways. Some practice fasting, prayers, giving to the poor, confession of sin, and other ways of worship, music, and Bible study. By the late 6^th and early 7^th centuries the observance of Ash Wednesday and Lenten practices became widespread. 

Some of the Bible passages often used in Lenten services include Ezekiel 27:30,

Daniel 9:3, First John 1:9, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Mathew 6:16-21, and the verse above, Genesis 3:19. Plus many more passages.

May the Lord guide and bless us all during Lent 2026.