{"id":37109,"date":"2026-02-02T00:00:37","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T05:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=37109"},"modified":"2026-04-27T15:42:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T19:42:31","slug":"lenten-devotional-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=37109","title":{"rendered":"Lenten Devotional, 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Unlike Christmas, which is always on December 25, the timing of Easter Sunday depends on things like\u00a0 Equinoxes and new moons.\u00a0 This year, Easter will be on April 5.\u00a0 It seems that we were just celebrating Christmas, but all of a sudden the season of Lent has come upon us!\u00a0 <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">In this period between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday, we examine our lives and adjust our life&#8217;s walk to bring bring us closer to God.\u00a0 We consider the roadblocks in our spiritual lives and look for the Spirit&#8217;s leading to find new paths. \u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> Use this booklet of Lenten Devotionals, written by &#8220;non-professional&#8221; members of a variety of churches, to help guide you through this special time of the year.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #800000;\">Daily Devotions for Lent 2026<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The devotional is presented in PDF format. Instead of presenting the entire booklet in one file (and forcing you to scroll through the whole thing to find the current date&#8217;s article), the booklet is broken up into separate week-by-week files. <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright  wp-image-37337\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Lent26-Cover-Art-_400x300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"208\" height=\"156\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Lent26-Cover-Art-_400x300-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Lent26-Cover-Art-_400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 208px) 100vw, 208px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>To read the article for any given date, scroll down to the desired month, and click on the button for the desired week. Except for week 1 (which begins with Ash Wednesday) and week 6 (which includes Easter Sunday and Easter Monday), all the files begin with Sunday and run through Saturday of the indicated week.<\/p>\n<p>Enjoy; and may God bless your devotional time!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">February 2026<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #993366;\">The Lenten season (and first devotional) starts out with Ash Wednesday (February 18). Week 1 is this short &#8220;week&#8221; from Wednesday through Saturday.\u00a0 Week 6 continues past Saturday April 4 to include Easter Sunday (April 5) and Easter Monday (April 6)&#8230;.<\/span> <\/em><br \/>\n<a href='https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Lent26Devotional_00.pdf' class='icon-button paper-icon' target=\"_blank\">Week 1<span class='et-icon'><\/span><\/a> Ash Wed. 2\/18 through Saturday 2\/21<\/p>\n<p><a href='https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Lent26Devotional_01.pdf' class='icon-button paper-icon' target=\"_blank\">Week 2<span class='et-icon'><\/span><\/a> Sunday 2\/22 through Saturday 2\/28<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">March 2026\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><a href='https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Lent26Devotional_02.pdf' class='icon-button paper-icon' target=\"_blank\">Week 3<span class='et-icon'><\/span><\/a> Sunday 3\/1 through Saturday 3\/7<\/p>\n<p><a href='https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Lent26Devotional_03.pdf' class='icon-button paper-icon' target=\"_blank\">Week 4<span class='et-icon'><\/span><\/a> Sunday 3\/8 through Saturday 3\/14<\/p>\n<p><a href='https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Lent26Devotional_04.pdf' class='icon-button paper-icon' target=\"_blank\">Week 5<span class='et-icon'><\/span><\/a> Sunday 3\/15 through Saturday 3\/21<\/p>\n<p><a href='https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Lent26Devotional_05.pdf' class='icon-button paper-icon' target=\"_blank\">Week 6<span class='et-icon'><\/span><\/a> Sunday 3\/22 through Saturday 3\/28<\/p>\n<p><a href='https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Lent26Devotional_06.pdf' class='icon-button paper-icon' target=\"_blank\">Week 7<span class='et-icon'><\/span><\/a> Sunday 3\/29\u00a0 through Easter Monday (4\/6)<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\">=\u00a0 \u00a0=\u00a0 \u00a0=<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #993366;\">If you&#8217;re looking for a specific article or author, open the below box to view the list of articles.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<div class='et-learn-more clearfix'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='heading-more'>Table of Contents<span class='et_learnmore_arrow'><span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='learn-more-content'>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #993366;\">The following list shows the booklet page numbers, article date,\u00a0 article title, and author.\u00a0 Click on the &#8220;Week number&#8221; to open the corresponding file&#8230;<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Lent26Devotional_00.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em><span style=\"color: #993366; text-decoration: underline;\">Week 1<\/span><\/em><\/a><\/span><\/h4>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\">\n<li>5-\u00a0 \u00a0 Feb 18:\u00a0 What Are You Giving Up?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pastor Glenn Conaway<\/li>\n<li>6-\u00a0 \u00a0 Feb 19:\u00a0 Sure and Certain. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . Linda Turk<\/li>\n<li>7-\u00a0 \u00a0 Feb 20:\u00a0 Hope. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\u00a0 . . . . . . . . . . . Kathy Chando<\/li>\n<li>8-\u00a0 \u00a0 Feb 21:\u00a0 What Should I Build?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Larry Bakely<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Lent26Devotional_01.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em><span style=\"color: #993366; text-decoration: underline;\">Week 2<\/span><\/em><\/a><\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>9-\u00a0 \u00a0 Feb 22:\u00a0 Returning to God. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\u00a0 . . . . . . Pastor Kim Wecht<\/li>\n<li>10-\u00a0 Feb 23:\u00a0 When God Forgives, It Is Finished. . .. .\u00a0 . . . Kayt Marra<\/li>\n<li>11-\u00a0 Feb 24:\u00a0 \u00a0Be Like Duct Tape. . . . . . . . . .\u00a0 . . . . . . . . . . . Ted Frett<\/li>\n<li>12-\u00a0 Feb 25:\u00a0 \u00a0A Tale of Two Brothers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ginny Green<\/li>\n<li>13-\u00a0 Feb 26:\u00a0 Trip of a Lifetime. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Angele Cooper<\/li>\n<li>14-\u00a0 Feb 27:\u00a0 The Blessing of Listening and Obeying. . . . Diane Sizemore<\/li>\n<li>15-\u00a0 Feb 28:\u00a0 It Don\u2019t Come Easy. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . Gilda Picioccio<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Lent26Devotional_02.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em><span style=\"color: #993366; text-decoration: underline;\">Week 3<\/span><\/em><\/a><\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>16-\u00a0 Mar 1:\u00a0 \u00a0We Have an Inheritance. . . . . . . . .\u00a0 . . . . . . . Tom Bennett<\/li>\n<li>17 &#8211; Mar 2:\u00a0 \u00a0Triangles. . . . . .\u00a0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..\u00a0 . . . . . Kim Tortella<\/li>\n<li>18 &#8211; Mar 3:\u00a0 \u00a0Radical Trust. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..\u00a0 . . . . . . Pastor Shirley Goodman<\/li>\n<li>19-\u00a0 Mar 4:\u00a0 \u00a0Keeping God in All We Do. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Beth Price<\/li>\n<li>20-\u00a0 Mar 5:\u00a0 \u00a0Helpful Wanderings. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . Barbara Buck<\/li>\n<li>21-\u00a0 Mar 6:\u00a0 \u00a0The Lord Loves Your Enemies. . .\u00a0 . . . . . . . . Jeremy Andrade<\/li>\n<li>22-\u00a0 Mar 7 :\u00a0 What Is Your View? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MaryAnn Diorio<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Lent26Devotional_03.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em><span style=\"color: #993366; text-decoration: underline;\">Week 4<\/span><\/em><\/a><\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>23-\u00a0 Mar 8:\u00a0 \u00a0Zero Your Weapon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pastor Kellie Heisler<\/li>\n<li>24- Mar 9:\u00a0 \u00a0God\u2019s Handiwork. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Claudia Cuddy<\/li>\n<li>25-\u00a0 Mar 10:\u00a0 The Words of Jesus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\u00a0 . . . . Michelle Levesque<\/li>\n<li>26-\u00a0 Mar 11:\u00a0 True Freedom. . . . . . . . . . . . . .\u00a0 . . . . . . . . . . . Scott Martin<\/li>\n<li>27-\u00a0 Mar 12: Decluttering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\u00a0 . . . . . . . . . . . Brenda Freitag<\/li>\n<li>28-\u00a0 Mar 13: The Pecking Order. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Erica Salmon<\/li>\n<li>29-\u00a0 Mar 14: Hang on Tight! It\u2019ll Be All Right!. . . . . . . . . . Sharon Constantine<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Lent26Devotional_04.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em><span style=\"color: #993366; text-decoration: underline;\">Week 5<\/span><\/em><\/a><\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>30-\u00a0 Mar 15:\u00a0 Step Out in Faith. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ruth Still<\/li>\n<li>31-\u00a0 Mar 16:\u00a0 Silence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pastor Christine Day<\/li>\n<li>32-\u00a0 Mar 17:\u00a0 Sharing the Blessing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lee Duffield<\/li>\n<li>33-\u00a0 Mar 18:\u00a0 What and Why. . . . . . . . .\u00a0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deb Mongiardo<\/li>\n<li>34-\u00a0 Mar 19:\u00a0 God Gives Us Rest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kayla Harrison Kessler<\/li>\n<li>35-\u00a0 Mar 20:\u00a0 Miracles Do Happen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Connie Norton<\/li>\n<li>36-\u00a0 Mar 21:\u00a0 Easter Eggs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lacy Haynicz<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Lent26Devotional_05.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em><span style=\"color: #993366; text-decoration: underline;\">Week 6<\/span><\/em><\/a><\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>37-\u00a0 Mar 22:\u00a0 Dedicated Discipleship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christine Strittmatter<\/li>\n<li>38-\u00a0 Mar 23:\u00a0 Slowly Fading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Judy Frett<\/li>\n<li>39-\u00a0 Mar 24:\u00a0 Walking with a Friend. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terri Ganderton<\/li>\n<li>40-\u00a0 Mar 25 : God Equips the Called. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Perrin Scott<\/li>\n<li>41-\u00a0 Mar 26:\u00a0 Of Green Pastures and Still Waters. . . . . . . Pastor Gary Turk<\/li>\n<li>42-\u00a0 Mar 27:\u00a0 How and When to Pray. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jackie Bowers<\/li>\n<li>42 &#8211; Mar 27:\u00a0 Share Your Prayer Requests. . . . . . . . . . . . . Judy Ferguson<\/li>\n<li>43-\u00a0 Mar 28 : Living God\u2019s Word. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Betty Little<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Lent26Devotional_06.pdf\"><em><span style=\"color: #993366; text-decoration: underline;\">Week 7<\/span><\/em><\/a><\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>44-\u00a0 Mar 29:\u00a0 Let the Cross Change You. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pastor Mike Chapman<\/li>\n<li>45 &#8211; Mar 30:\u00a0 The Primary Source. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Beth Price<\/li>\n<li>46-\u00a0 Mar 31:\u00a0 \u00a0Our Life. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jane Koponick<\/li>\n<li>47-\u00a0 Apr 1:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Because He Lives. . . . . . . . . . .\u00a0 . . . . . . . . . . Marsha Hahn<\/li>\n<li>48 &#8211; Apr 2:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Prone to Wander. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Corine Ingles-Elliott<\/li>\n<li>49-\u00a0 Apr 3:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0The Sacrificial Lamb. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diana McMillion<\/li>\n<li>50-\u00a0 Apr 4:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0It Is Finished. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . Bill Schober<\/li>\n<li>51-\u00a0 Apr 5:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 I Know That My Redeemer Lives. . . . . . . . . Char Gaylord<\/li>\n<li>52-\u00a0 Apr 6:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0The Road You Travel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ted Frett<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #993366;\">To learn more about the origin of this booklet, open the below &#8220;drop down&#8221; box&#8230;.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<div class='et-learn-more clearfix'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='heading-more'>About the Booklet<span class='et_learnmore_arrow'><span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='learn-more-content'>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h4><em><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Introduction (a Note from the Editors)&#8230;<\/span><\/em><\/h4>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"color: #003300;\">It was 27 years ago that we began printing and distributing the Lenten devotional booklet in this format. We printed a few hundred in those early years; this year we printed 1,800. In addition, the pages are posted on a website for more outreach (<a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=2573\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/pitmanumc.org<\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"color: #003300;\">We have always called this God\u2019s project. He knows the spiritual needs of the readers, and He nudges various people to contribute their stories. We just never know who will send us a story or when it will come. Each season, whether Advent or Lent, we wait with anticipation as submissions come in, mainly by email now.<\/span>\n<span style=\"color: #003300;\">It\u2019s so exciting to see it all unfold. For example, 5 days before the deadline, we had 28 submissions. Would we really get 19 more in the next 5 days? Of course we would. For 27 years, the Lord has provided us with the number of devotionals we need \u2014 or more. The 47th entry was promised to us on the deadline and came in the next day. Praise God!<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"color: #003300;\">This year\u2019s stories come from 47 different authors representing 22 different churches. We welcomed 7 first-time contributors this year. It takes courage to bare your soul and put your thoughts out there for 1,800 people to read. We thank these writers for acting on the Spirit\u2019s nudge.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"color: #003300;\">What makes this devotional booklet so special? It is written by ordinary people who are sharing their personal stories of faith. As we read these stories, we are able to see a glimpse of God at work in their lives, and as a result, we are encouraged and built up in our own faith. Sometimes one of the stories feels as if it was written \u201cjust for me and just when I needed it!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Something we especially noticed this time is the different perspectives offered on the same topics. For example, two people discuss in two different ways how the Lord equips someone He calls to do something. Hope is addressed in various ways. Reading the Bible is discussed with different ideas on why and how. Other messages include resting and restoring one\u2019s soul, trusting God, praying, and serving. May you be encouraged as you read through these messages.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em><span style=\"color: #003300;\">To God be the glory, and may we continue to serve Him.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><em><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Where Did these Books Come From?<\/span><\/em><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The articles in this booklet were written by members of 22 different churches located in NJ and across the country. The booklets were published in hardcopy form and distributed within the participating churches.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The articles were written by members of the following churches:\n(<em><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; color: #ff6600;\">&#8220;UMC&#8221; stands for United Methodist Church<\/span><\/em>):<\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: circle;\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.blcdelmar.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Delmar, NY<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crk.church\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Church of the Risen King, Pennsauken, NJ<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/claytonbaptist.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Clayton Baptist Church, Clayton, NJ<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eumc.church\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Evangelical United Methodist Church, Clarksboro, NJ<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/fairton.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fairton Christian Center, Fairton, NJ<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/myfac.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fellowship Alliance Chapel, Medford, NJ<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fumccollingswood.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">First United Methodist Church Collingswood, Collingswood, NJ<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/glassboromethodist.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">First United Methodist Church of Glassboro, NJ<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fmcmb.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">First Methodist Church Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, SC<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.illuminatenj.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Illuminate Church, Elmer, NJ<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lititzumc.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lititz United Methodist Church, Lititz, PA<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nrumc.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">North Raleigh United Methodist Church, North Raleigh, NC<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmannaz.churchtrac.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pitman Church of the Nazarene, Pitman, NJ<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/umcommunities.org\/pitman\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pitman Manor, Pitman, NJ<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pitman United Methodist Church, Pitman, NJ<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.richwoodchurch.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Richwood United Methodist Church, Richwood, NJ<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lcsumc.com\/shehawken.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Shehawken United Methodist Church, Starrucca, PA<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stpaulsumcpaulsboro.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">St. Paul\u2019s United Methodist Church, Paulsboro, NJ<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trinitymullicahill.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Trinity United Methodist Church, Mullica Hill, NJ<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wellspringchurchnc.org\/?gad_source=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Wellspring Church, Mays Landing, NJ<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.elktonumc.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Wesley Church of Elkton, Elkton, MD<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zionumcclarksboro.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Zion United Methodist Church, Clarksboro, NJ<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><em><span style=\"color: #008000;\">How can I get a Printed Booklet?<\/span><\/em><\/h4>\n<p>It&#8217;s convenient to be able to view the devotionals electronically, but if pinching, zooming, and scrolling aren&#8217;t for you, printed booklets are available.\u00a0 The printed booklets contain the same material that&#8217;s presented on this website page, and they&#8217;ve been distributed to most of the above churches.\u00a0 If you would prefer to have the printed version and your church doesn&#8217;t have any copies available, please contact one of the editors:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\">\n<li>Claudia Cuddy \u2022 editorcuddy@mac.com<\/li>\n<li>Beth Price \u2022 eprice7@comcast.net<\/li>\n<li>Marsha Hahn \u2022 mhahn16@comcast.net<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\t\t<div class='author-shortcodes'>\n\t\t\t<div class='author-inner'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='author-image'>\n\t\t\t<img src='https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/et_temp\/Lent26-Cover-Art-_400x300-17588_60x60.jpg' alt='' \/>\n\t\t\t<div class='author-overlay'><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- .author-image --> \n\t\t<div class='author-info'>\n\t\t\t<p>If God inspires you to write a message for a future book, don\u2019t wait until next year.<\/p>\n<p>You can send in devotionals at any time by email to one of our editors.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- .author-info -->\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .author-inner -->\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- .author-shortcodes -->\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #800000;\">Continual Devotions after Lent 2026<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Easter will come and Lent will end, but the year will continue.\u00a0 How can we continue to grow closer to God throughout the entire year?\u00a0 Here are some thoughts on moving from Ash Wednesday to the rest of the year.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><em><span style=\"color: #008000;\">What is Ash Wednesday???<\/span><\/em><\/h4>\n<p>The first day of Lent is always a Wednesday, called Ash Wednesday. This originated from the ancient times when people marked times of fasting, prayer, repentance, and remorse by placing ashes on their foreheads (<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=2+sam+13%3A1-19&amp;version=NLT\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2 Samuel\u00a013:19<\/a><\/span>, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=esth+4%3A1-3&amp;version=NLT\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Esther\u00a04:1-3<\/a><\/span>, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=job+42%3A1-6&amp;version=NLT\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Job\u00a042:6<\/a><\/span>, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=jer+6%3A22-26&amp;version=NLT\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jeremiah\u00a06:26<\/a><\/span>). This scriptural custom entered the Church from Judaism. Receiving ashes on the forehead on Ash Wednesday symbolizes that the person is going to begin a period of sober reflection, self-examination, and spiritual redirection. Traditionally, the ashes for the Ash Wednesday service come from burning the palm fronds from the previous year\u2019s Palm Sunday celebration.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>For more about Ash Wednesday, check out the following &#8220;Chuck Knows Church&#8221; video&#8230;<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<div class='et-box et-shadow'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et-box-content'><p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"16 | Ash Wednesday -- Chuck Knows Church\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/PFAmmlezot4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><em><span style=\"color: #008000;\">What&#8217;s Next?<\/span><\/em><\/h4>\n<p>Devotionals like these are great ways to learn how to apply the Bible to your life.\u00a0 The personal stories are inspiring and help you to grow.\u00a0 But even after Easter,\u00a0 you&#8217;ll still need to be constantly reading and studying the Bible.\u00a0 At Pitman UMC, we offer the following opportunities (and your own church likely offers similar ones if you&#8217;re not from Pitman UMC).\u00a0 Use the below buttons to learn more:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href='https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=2573' class='icon-button download-icon' target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Online Devotions<\/span><span class='et-icon'><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href='https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=17037' class='icon-button download-icon' target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Bible Reading Plans<\/span><span class='et-icon'><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href='https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=14867' class='icon-button download-icon' target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Online Worship<\/span><span class='et-icon'><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href='https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=120' class='icon-button download-icon' target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sunday School<\/span><span class='et-icon'><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #800000;\">Share Your Stories&#8230;<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If you&#8217;ve found these devotionals to be useful, tweet the link or share this article with your Facebook Friends. Use the below buttons to share on any social media.<\/p>\n<p>As you read these devotionals, you are opening yourself up to hearing from the Holy Spirit. If something in an article hits you, please share it and let us know how God has spoken to you. Post a comment in the form at the end of this article (your email address won&#8217;t be published).<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 24pt; color: #008000;\">+ + + + + +<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>For other daily devotionals , visit our Devotionals Page: <br \/>\n<a href='https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=2573' class='big-button bigteal'><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Daily Devotionals<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lent is a time to rededicate yourself to God and to prepare for the awesome power and grace that God demonstrated through Christ&#8217;s resurrection.  The devotional booklet presented in this post will be helpful as we move through this season of Lent.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":37337,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[53,8],"tags":[96],"class_list":["post-37109","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-god-moments","category-godprints","tag-devotion"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37109","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=37109"}],"version-history":[{"count":30,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37109\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":37352,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37109\/revisions\/37352"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/37337"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=37109"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=37109"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=37109"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}