Worship Elements — The Shepherd Who Seeks
John 10:1-18 (CEB) · Witnesses: Encountering Jesus When It Matters Most (Ash Wednesday)
These worship elements are designed for the Ash Wednesday service on February 18, 2026 at McPherson First United Methodist Church. Pastors and worship leaders are welcome to adapt them for your own context.
Welcome
Tonight we begin a journey by acknowledging where we are—dust and ash, wandering and in need of a shepherd who calls us by name.
Welcome to worship at McPherson First United Methodist Church! I’m [NAME], and I’m delighted you’re here this evening.
Call to Worship
Leader: We come tonight as we are—dust returning to dust.
People: Yet we come because a voice calls us by name.
Leader: We carry the weight of wandering, of losing our way.
People: Yet a shepherd seeks us out and will not let us go.
Leader: We begin this Lenten journey acknowledging our need.
People: We open our ears to the voice that leads to abundant life.
Leader: In ashes and honesty, we gather before God.
People: We worship the shepherd who knows us and loves us still.
Opening Prayer
Seeking God, we come tonight marked by ash and longing. Open our ears to your voice. Teach us to trust the one who calls us by name. Lead us through this Lenten wilderness toward the abundant life you promise. Amen.
Invitation to Prayer
Tonight we’ve heard the shepherd’s voice calling us by name, even as we acknowledge our wandering.
Now we practice prayers—one of the five ways we grow as followers of Jesus. Prayer connects us to God and each other.
We carry each other in prayer throughout the week. If you have a prayer request, share it through the Church Center app or at mcphersonfirst.org/next. You can also text PRAY to 620-241-3626. And if you’d like to join our prayer team, text PRAYERTEAM to receive requests throughout the week.
In a moment of silence, bring your own prayers before God.
[5-10 seconds of silence]
Good Shepherd, you know each of us by name. Before we speak a word, you see us—our wandering, our longing, our need. We pause now to center our hearts in your presence.
[Pause]
We praise you for your relentless love that pursues us even when we stray. You do not abandon us to thieves and wolves. You stand in the gate. You lay down your life. We are held by a love we did not earn and cannot lose.
We confess that we have followed other voices—voices promising life but delivering emptiness. We have wandered from your flock, trusting hired hands who flee when danger comes. We have sought abundant life in places that only steal, kill, and destroy.
[Silence for personal confession]
Forgive us, Good Shepherd. Lead us back.
We give thanks tonight for the gift of honest beginning. Thank you for ashes that tell the truth about our mortality and for grace that tells an even deeper truth about your love. Thank you for this community where we can be dust together and discover we are beloved.
We pray for all who feel lost tonight—in grief, in confusion, in circumstances that offer no clear path. We pray for those who have been wounded by false shepherds and struggle to trust again. We pray for our world, where so many voices compete for attention while your voice of life goes unheard. Call us all by name.
We offer these prayers in the name of Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray and who meets us at the table. Amen.
Invitation to Give and Check-In
Tonight we’ve heard Jesus say, “I came so that they could have life—indeed, so that they could live life to the fullest.” Our giving is one way we participate in that abundant life—sharing what we have so others might experience the shepherd’s care through this church.
Now we practice gifts—one of the five ways we grow as followers of Jesus. You can give through the offering plates, the Church Center app, or at mcphersonfirst.org/next. Thank you to those who give regularly—your generosity sustains our mission.
Now we practice presence—showing up and serving in this community. Check in using the blue attendance pads, the Church Center app, or at mcphersonfirst.org/next. And if you’re ready to find your place to serve in our ministries, you can do that through the app or website too.
Ushers, will you please come forward to receive the offering?
Benediction
Preaching Pastor: Friends, we have been fed at Christ’s table. You go from this place marked by ash and claimed by love. The shepherd who knows your name goes with you.
Host Pastor: This Lent, listen for his voice. Love boldly. Serve joyfully. Lead courageously. Now go in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen!
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These worship elements are part of the Witnesses: Encountering Jesus When It Matters Mostseries at McPherson First United Methodist Church. New worship resources are published every Tuesday.
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