Elim Lutheran in Scandia, MN - Ash Wednesday - February 18, 2026 скачать в хорошем качестве

Elim Lutheran in Scandia, MN - Ash Wednesday - February 18, 2026

On Ash Wednesday we begin our forty-day journey toward Easter with a day of fasting and repentance. Marking our foreheads with dust, we acknowledge that we die and return to the earth. At the same time, the dust traces the life-giving cross indelibly marked on our foreheads at baptism. While we journey through Lent to return to God, we have already been reconciled to God through Christ. We humbly pray for God to make our hearts clean while we rejoice that “now is the day of salvation.” Returning to our baptismal call, we more intentionally bear the fruits of mercy and justice in the world. Lord, as we begin this journey of Lent, remind me of your grace and renew a right spirit within me. “Create in me a clean heart, O God” (Psalm 51:10, ESV). We are grateful you’ve joined us on this Ash Wednesday. As we turn our hearts toward Jesus and the journey to the cross, we remember that God meets us with mercy at every step. May our worship inspire repentance, faith and deeper trust in God’s unfailing love.