Traditional Worship Bulletin
Ash Wednesday Service
February 18, 2026 | noon and 7:00 pm
“Plot Twists”
Joel 2:12-17, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
Dr. Mike Marshall, Associate Pastor (noon)
Rev. Brenda Brooks Alexander, Associate Pastor (7:00)
Rev. Lance Marshall, Senior Pastor
Welcome
Rev. Lance Marshall, Senior Pastor (noon)
Dr. Jenn Pick, Associate Pastor (7:00 pm)
Opening Prayer
Organ Voluntary: “O Mensch, bewein’ dein’ Sünde groß” (noon)
(O man, bewail thy grievous sin)
S. Bach, composer
Peggy Graff, organ
*Call to Worship
Rev. Brenda Brooks Alexander, Associate Pastor (noon)
One: We gather to begin a twisting journey from ashes into new life.All: We are coming home.
One: With forty days to slow our steps, to listen for grace that unsettles and restores,
All: We are coming home.
One: Walking through the wilderness, honest about our brokenness and our longing,
All: We are coming home.
One: Marked by a cross as beloved and forgiven people,
All: We are coming home.
One: Made of earth, breathed into by God, held even in our dust and doubt,
All: We are coming home.
One: Grace in our hearts, turning us toward what gives life,
All: We are coming home.
One: God in our hearts, God in our lives,
All: From ashes into new life, God calls us to come home. Amen.
*Hymn 348: “Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling“
Scripture: Joel 2:12-17, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
God speaks to us through the reading of scripture.
Thanks be to God.
*Hymn: “Sunday’s Palms are Wednesday’s Ashes”
Sermon: “The Beginning in Dust”
Dr. Mike Marshall, Associate Pastor (noon)
Rev. Brenda Brooks Alexander, Associate Pastor (7:00)
Offertory: “Just a Closer Walk With Thee”
arr. Richard Walters
Alison Haygood, soprano” (noon)
“Create in Me” (7:00 pm)
Victor C. Johnson, arranger
Choral Union
Thomas Williams, director
Prayer of Confession
One: Holy God, we are reminded today that we are dust, and to dust we shall return.
All: Only by your Spirit and your power do you give us life.
One: You are the source of all hope and all becoming. You speak new life into old dust. You turn endings into beginnings.
All: Only you can make all things new.
One: Only you can take our hearts, every hardened edge, every measured beat, and create something new within us.
All: You are the source of mercy and love.
One: And so we confess: we have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not trusted your way.
All: We have shared with you only what was convenient.
One: We have resisted the turns you offered. We have clung to what felt certain and forgotten that we are called, invited, and beloved.
All: Forgive us, O God.
One: Turn us again toward your goodness and grace. Create in us hearts that long for you. Lead us home by the way of your mercy.Amen.
Imposition of Ashes
Litany of Response
One: We’ve taken palms from the Passion procession, palms from the entry into Jerusalem and burned them to begin the living out of Lent. We now wear the ashes of mourning;
All: for we will no longer be who we were.
One: We wear the ashes of humility;
All: for we are made from earth and to the earth we will return.
One: We wear the ashes of repentance;
All: for we wish to roll away the stone.
One: We wear the ashes of rebirth;
All: for the grain of wheat when it dies to the ground will bear fruit.
One: We wear the ashes of the dead;
All: for through Christ’s death we are offered new life. These ashes mark who we are and what we will become.
One: We wear the sign of the cross knowing God’s light is revealed where there’s darkness.
All: We will hold on to the light, even as we wear these ashes. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Time of Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
*Hymn: “Come and Find the Quiet Center”
Benediction
*Postlude: “Elegy ”
John Fey, composer
Music during the imposition of ashes at 7:00
“Peace”
by Sigurd M. Øgaard
Laura Pollack, violin Peggy Graff, organ
Download The Traditional Worship Bulletin
Notes from First Church
Welcome to First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth – we are glad you’re here to worship with us today!
Please let us know you are here by filling out the attendance pad as it comes by.
Stay Connected
News
Read First Church news and sign up for emails at fumcfw.org/news.
Events
Browse programs and events or search by ministry or keyword at fumcfw.org/events.
Worship with us Online
Sunday Mornings
9:30 am | The Gathering | fumcfw.org/gathering-live
11:00 am | Traditional Worship | fumcfw.org/traditional-live
11:11 am | eleven:eleven | fumfw.org/1111-live
WRR Radio
Listen to each previous week’s service and music on Sunday mornings at 7:30 am on WRR 101.1 FM.
Media Playlists
Watch past services or sermons or listen to podcasts of services and special music offerings at fumcfw.org/media.
For more information visit us online at fumcfw.org, “Like” us on Facebook, and “Follow” us on Twitter and Instagram!
Discipleship is the process of being shaped by the Holy Spirit through spiritual practices to become more like Jesus. Healthy Plate Discipleship uses a variety of practices to help you more faithfully follow Jesus Christ. Try all six areas to grow strong in faithful discipleship. Learn more at fumcfw.org/healthyplate.
Are you new?
If you would like to find your Worship Plus One, we would love to visit with you and help you explore the First Church groups or ministries of special interest to you! Finding your Worship Plus One will help you meet others, build relationships, and grow stronger in your faith.
For details, please email Angie Parish (aparish@myfumc.org), Director of Welcoming Ministries or Dr. Mike Marshall (mmarshall@myfumc.org), Associate Pastor of Leadership Development — and be sure to include your phone number in your email!