Ash Wednesday Service 2026

Wednesday, February 18, 2026
4:30pm - 5:30pm

Lent begins Wednesday, February 18th with our Ash Wednesday Service. We will meet at 4:30pm in the Sanctuary for communion and the imposition of ashes. (Note: this service will not be livestreamed.)

Sometimes world events or nature’s cycles align with the church’s liturgical calendar in a way that brings the spiritual invitations of that season into particular relief. In that way, Lent—a season of repentance, reflection and longing for hope—makes a lot of sense right now.

This year, our theme for Lent at RCPPC will be Prayer and Fasting/Humility and Simplicity. We’ll use our 40 days together to explore how Christians have approached prayer and fasting as means of spiritual and moral formation. Maybe you are familiar with prayer, less so with fasting. Either way, we hope you’ll come along for the journey as we make our way into some new territory.

Sunday, February 22 and the following Sundays, we’ll continue our journey in Sunday worship with a reflection each week on how prayer and fasting shaped the Old Testament narratives and the ministry of Jesus. In fellowship time, we’ll be offering brief introductions to various forms of prayer, beginning with prayer beads on February 22.

In place of a personal devotional booklet this year, we’re inviting interested folks to sign up to be paired with one or two other members in a covenant group that will develop and practice its own prayer and fasting habit. We’ll provide instructions for how to explore this in ways that meet individuals’ needs and schedules.

After worship throughout Lent, we’ll be hosting a brief bible study after worship. Our focus will be on the idea of Powers and Principalities or texts that grapple with our struggle to combat evil in the world. The discussion co-led by Pastor Liz and Candidate for Ministry Desiree Eden Ocampo and all are welcome to come each week or drop in here and there. We’ll meet from 11:15am-12pm in the Library. Please bring your own bible if you are able.