worship guide
Ash Wednesday Resources for Pastors: Sermon Prep & Liturgy Ideas
Ash Wednesday sermon and liturgy resources for pastors, full services, & commentary on Psalm 51, Joel 2, & Matt 6. Updated for 2026.
Updated for Ash Wednesday 2026
Looking for Ash Wednesday sermon ideas and service resources for 2026? This page brings together The Pastor's Workshop's complete collection of Ash Wednesday resources, including sermon ideas, orders of service, scripture guides, and liturgy for your services on February 18, 2026.
Find resources for Ash Wednesday sermons on texts like Psalm 51, Joel 2, or Matthew 6, complete services (traditional and contemporary), and curated resources to plan your sermons and services to emphasize repentance, mortality, and spiritual disciplines as you enter Lent.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day season of spiritual preparation leading up to Easter. The day's central themes—repentance, mortality, and returning to God—offer powerful opportunities for preaching and worship. The imposition of ashes reminds us that "we are dust, and to dust we shall return," confronting our mortality while pointing us toward grace.
Use the links below to find resources quickly. This page includes both free and premium resources. If you aren't a subscriber yet, consider a 14-day free trial to see how TPW can help your ministry.
Ash Wednesday Sermon Ideas
Need a fresh angle for your Ash Wednesday sermon? These reflections from ministry experts explore themes like repentance, mortality, spiritual disciplines, and more — offering insights and launching points for your own preaching. View free on the TPW blog.
On Aging, Ash Wednesday, and Death — Where youth and health are ideals, then confronting our mortality is counter-cultural. But, aging reminds us—death is not a matter of if, but when.
Ash Wednesday and St. Valentine — When Ash Wednesday comes early, it often occurs near (occasionally on) Valentine's Day. But the juxtaposition isn't as odd as you might think.
Turning to God in Crisis — Crises reveal our dependency on things other than God. Lent is the perfect time to disentangle our unhealthy attachments to the world through prayer.
An Invitation to an Unhurried Lent — Why did Jesus fast in the wilderness—and what is the point of fasting today? It's about saying "no" to say "yes."
Complete Ash Wednesday Services (Traditional & Contemporary)
Both services include scripture readings, liturgy, imposition of ashes, and music suggestions—ready to customize for your congregation.
Traditional Ash Wednesday Service — This reverent service sets a beautiful tone for Lent. It includes collects, an invitation to a holy Lent, and has a confession structured as a litany. (Based on the service in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer.)
Modern Ash Wednesday Service — Lisa Degrenia and Nicolle Sallee created this original order of service which intersperses readings with instrumental music and song.
Ash Wednesday Scripture Guides & Lectionary Resources
Planning to preach on a traditional Ash Wednesday text? Our Scripture Guides and Lectionary Guides provide commentary, illustrations, quotes, and discussion questions for sermon development. Lectionary Guides include liturgy.
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Featured Ash Wednesday Scriptures
What are Scripture Guides and Lectionary Guides?
Scripture Guides: Include commentary, illustrations, quotes, and discussion questions.
Included with all subscriptions.Lectionary Guides: Everything in a Scripture Guide + Liturgy (call to worship, prayer of confession, assurance of pardon, & benediction).
Complete Package required.
Ash Wednesday Liturgy by Type
Need a specific liturgical element for your Ash Wednesday service? Browse our Ash Wednesday liturgy organized by type:
Sermon and Liturgy Resources by Theme
Sermon resources accessible to all subscribers. Liturgy requires Complete Package subscription.