lent & easter
2026 lenten devotional
Our theme for the 2026 Lenten season is “The Way.” This expression has many meanings: it is a biblical reference to Jesus (John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life”). “The Way” was also the name for the early Christian movement, as seen in Acts. Moreover, making intentional journeys has been a ritual of humankind across time and traditions. Inspired by scriptural passages that talk about the journeys, roads, and pathways of life, we will make our way together through this season.
The series addresses what we are called to do when we have to navigate a problem, take the high road in various situations, or find our way home when we’ve gone off track. We consider how we find alternatives to cultural norms that may challenge our faith. How has your faith led you through a journey of joy or through a journey of despair? Have you ever been on a pilgrimage? What did you learn during that experience? During a trip, have you had an encounter that inspired your faith? Perhaps you participated in the church reading of John Mark Comer’s “Practicing the Way,” and some sections stood out to you? What surprises did you encounter in this study? While these prompts are intended to identify ideas, it is not required to use these as you reflect on your faith journey.
Please email your contribution to Jaci Tschirhart at green.tschirhart@gmail.com by Monday, February 2. If you do not receive an email in reply to confirm receipt, please email again. Devotions should be limited to no more than 400 words. Please avoid content that might be offensive to others. Contributions should be in Microsoft Word format or cut and pasted into the body of an email. Graphics should be in jpg format. If you are submitting your devotion in hard copy/physical form, please drop it off at the Grace Welcome desk in a folder or envelope marked "Jaci Tschirhart." Please text or call Jaci at 630-696-6843 to let her know to pick it up.
In the meantime, please let Jaci know if you plan to generate an original devotion, poem, or work of art for the 2026 Lenten Booklet. Following the theme is ideal, but not necessary. The people of Grace have had this tradition for over 50 years!
Ash WednesdaY
Wednesday, February 18
Sometimes things happen in our lives that cause us to awaken to a new perspective, and we begin to reassess the life road we are following, the directions we are going. Ash Wednesday is a time in the church where we talk of “repentance” which literally means to turn around and head in a new direction. We will receive ashes in the sign of the cross on our foreheads, a traditional sign of our own mortality and the necessity of making this life purposeful.
9:00AM to 1:00PM
Open Imposition of Ashes in the Sanctuary
5:00PM
Ash Wednesday Experience
7:00PM
Traditional Service in the Sanctuary