Drawing Closer by Letting Go: Lent 2026
Join St. Matthew Lutheran Church as we move from the celebration of Fastnacht to the quiet reflection of the wilderness.
Fastnacht Fun: Sunday, Feb 15
Kick off the season with games, pizza, and donuts! Join us in the library around noon. Bring your favorite board game from home, or play one of ours. While we won’t have a cooked pancake breakfast this year, the fellowship (and the donuts!) will be just as sweet.
Ash Wednesday: February 18
“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
8:00 a.m. & 12:00 p.m.
Short spoken prayer service with imposition of ashes
3:00 p.m.
Contemplative Prayer
7:00 p.m.
Full liturgy with communion & imposition of ashes
A Reflection for Lent
By mid-month, the time comes to shift the tone. Lent is a time to reflect on the ways that we have fallen short of fully opening ourselves to allowing the Spirit to move through us. We reflect on our sin as marked by the ways we have held ourselves back from giving our lives entirely to God.
And we subtract. We consider how we might let go of the things that block us from responding to God—things like food or screen time that drain our attention. We subtract to recognize more clearly God’s movement in our midst. First we add to recognize what God has done, then we subtract to become aware of how much more present God is than we had recognized.
— Pastor Trozzo
Midweek & Sunday Studies
Midweek Evening Prayer
Wednesdays at 7:00 PM
Join us for the Holden Evening Prayer service. A beautiful, contemplative liturgy to quiet yourself in prayer. Available in person and streamed on YouTube.
Lenten Book Group
Wednesdays at 7:30 PM (Starts Feb 25)
Discuss Behold the Lilies: Jesus and the Contemplation of Nature by H. Paul Santmire. Join us in the library or on Zoom as we explore ecological theology through short, accessible meditations.
Adult Forum: Galatians Study
Sundays at 9:30 AM (Starts Feb 22)
Join us for a 5-week deep dive into the book of Galatians, exploring themes of grace, freedom, and faith in the Adult Forum.
Lenten Devotional Booklet
A Path in the Wilderness
Pick up this year’s devotional focused on the wisdom of the Desert Fathers and Mothers. Learn how their ancient spirituality and simplicity can inspire your journey today.