February 22, 2026
FIRST SUNDAY OF THE SEASON OF LENT
Lent (Latin: Quadragesima: Fortieth) is a solemn religious observance in the liturgical calendar that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends approximately six weeks later, before Easter Sunday. The purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer through prayer, doing penance, repentance of sins, ALMSGiving, atonement, and self-denial. (Wikipedia)
THEME: “Understanding What Lent Is”
A Service of Prayer, of Song, and of Symbolism
Lead Minister: The Rev. Jope Langejans
Music Director: Cody Obst
Minister Emeritus: Rev. Gerry Scharff
Honorary Associate Ministers: Rev. Clint Mooney & Rev. Kelley Warner
Chair of Council: Vacant
Reader: Nancy Gillean
“Tell the truth, but pleasantly and gently…do not tell it rudely, for truth-telling that hurts or repels, does not carry conviction” (Hindu scripture)
Gathering
(*Indicates that you may stand if you are able…)
PRELUDE
Rev. Jope: Genesis 2: 15-17, 3:1-7
Were you there, were you there in that beautiful garden of creation? Were you there, when there was no ill will, no malice, no suffering? Were you there, when shame crept in, when fear turned the rainbow grey? Were you there, when knowledge trumped wisdom, tempting us with unbridled power? (Apple is raised…)
I was there…and you were there…we each know what tempts our hearts.
Lenten Meditation (The Service of Diminishing Lights)
(Like the Advent Wreath, the circle of gathering darkness created by the candles and the crown of thorns serves as a constant reminder of our role as humanity in bringing about the crucifixion and the need for Resurrection.)
Rev. Jope: During Lent, we remember the events that led Jesus to his crucifixion…….. (first Candle is extinguished…)
All in Prayer: O loving God, as we journey through this holy season of Lent, give us strength and courage to make the changes that are needed in our lives. Open our hearts and minds to your steadfast presence and help us to put our trust in you…Amen.
HYMN: VU # 121 “Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery”
(verse #1)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ACKNOWEDGING OUR TERRITORY (Rev. Jope)
INTROIT: VU # 112 “O God, How We Have Wandered”
CALL TO WORSHIP:
Leader: In this season of Lent, we gather as people of faith. In this season we gather as people on a journey – a journey which may be one of the most important ones in which we’ve ever taken.
ALL: We come seeking food for our souls. We come to outfit ourselves for the sometimes harshness of life.
Leader: We gather as people seeking a deeper relationship with our God. We gather as one family, open to the Spirits’ prodding.
ALL: We come seeking knowledge. We come to face the diversities of our cultures, our moods, our hopes, and our dreams.
Leader: We all come together to obey Jesus’ command, “Watch and pray.” Our lives become watchful and prayerful.
ALL: Seeking Sabbath time may we be aware, O Holy One, of your Spirit leading and uplifting us this day. Let us, as a community of believers, enter into the wilderness. We now share in song:
HYMN: MV # 84 “In You There Is a Refuge”
Opening Prayer: (Unison) O God of countless pathways of our lives, at this beginning of Lent, we all return to you. We turn away from all that clutters up our lives and makes them junkyards of despair; our endless worrying, our wondering who is doing better than we are, our secret hope that we can take it with us, the grudges we have cherished like precious gems, the harsh judgments and the easy prejudices, the conviction that we are just so very, very busy, all the attempts to let everyone know how deserving we are… (Silence)
At the beginning of Lent, we return to you, O God, to your love, to your mercy, to your forgiveness, to your promise of a fresh start, a clean slate, a reformatted life. Please welcome us in the name of Christ, who told us that you would...Amen
HYMN: MV # 85 “Take, O Take Me as I Am”
(Sung through twice…)
Engaging the Sacred Text
(Reader: Nancy Gillean)
PSALM 32 (taken from The Message) Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven…
HYMN of ILLUMINATION VU # 118 “Wonder and Stare”
GOSPEL PASSAGE: MATTHEW 4: 1-11 (785) Jesus’ temptation…
MESSAGE: “Why Lent!”
*HYMN: MV # 106 “I Am the Dream”
Responding
OFFERING INVITATION (Leader)
Creator God, we thank you for the ability to share our time, talents, and finances to further your work in this world. We ask that you bless these gifts that they may provide for our neighbours near and far. In the name of the Living Christ…Amen.
CHOIR’S MUSICAL SELECTION
“The Call to Follow” arr: Joseph Martin
PRAYER of DEDICATION (Rev. Jope)
CLOSING PRAYER (Rev. Jope)
LORD’S PRAYER
Blessing
COMMISSIONING (unison)
Go in prayer…go in hope…go expecting resurrection.
Go trusting where this Lent will lead. Firmly, in the promises of God our Creator, go, and be a disciple…fully…Amen.
*FINAL HYMN: MV # 214 “May God’s Sheltering Wings”
BLESSING (Rev. Jope)
RECESSIONAL
POSTLUDE MUSIC
SCRIPTURE PASSAGES for SUNDAY, MARCH 1
Second Sunday in the Season of Lent
GENESIS 12: 1-4a
PSALM 121
ROMANS 4: 1-5, 13-17
JOHN 3: 1-17