Tell Me Something Good: Lent 2026

“Tell Me Something Good” may seem out of touch given what is going on our world today. How can there be ‘good news’ while we live in a time where so much is fracturing? The Gospel stories in this series show us a journey of liberation in fractured times. We often describe Jesus’ ministry as “radical” meaning “root” or “ground.” Grounding ourselves in the Christ story strengthens our work to resist empire, modeling the kind of love, mercy and unending grace God gives to all life.

This Lenten season we invite you to acknowledge the grief and raise your voice in lament, join in cultivating practices that will build your faith, hear and share stories of resistance and courage, and travel this gospel path together.

About the Logo

The roots of the tree remind us of the ways Jesus’ teachings can ground and root us in the good news but also pushes us to grow and expand like branches reaching to the sky. At the core of Jesus’ teachings are people.

Jesus refocuses our attention on those who are harmed, judged, ppressed, or hungry. In the tree, the branches are also abstract people with arms outstretched. Their interwoven connection produces good fruit.

Framing the title are the roots of the tree, which is meant to resemble the open pages of the Bible. The word “good” is emphasized with circular letter shapes; the two “O’s” form the symbol for infinity. — from A Sanctified Art

Lenten Journals/Daily Devotional Cards

Inspiring and artistic journals will be available beginning Ash Wednesday. Copies are also accessible via e-reader by emailing Jean (jwoessner@bigsky.net) for the link. We will offer sets of daily cards with simple messages, questions and prayers or supply you with a PDF to print your own set.

Social Media

If you are on Facebook or Instagram, look for UCC Missoula’s post each day, featuring a thought or artwork around our theme. Posts will be on the UCC Missoula Private FB page as well.

Lenten Schedule

Remember, we are dust. We gather to remember our fragility and be reminded of God’s love for us all. This is the beginning of our Lenten journey.

This Lent, the teachings of Jesus will ground and inspire us to take action in a world desperate to hear, see, and taste what is good. In addition to exploring Jesus’ radical ministry, we will make time for our laments each week. We’ll also hear stories of courage and mercy, of communities and individuals who took action or raised their voice in resistance. If you worship online, we invite your participation through the chat so we may bring your prayers forward, as well.

We gather for a simple dinner followed by a half-hour Taizé service. Taizé is a sung prayer form (chant), originating in an ecumenical community in Taizé, France. All are welcome!

Gather in the UCC sanctuary for a time of silent prayer, readings, poetry, and prayer with scripture. You are welcome to join using whatever silent practice you employ. If you would like guidance in beginning a silent prayer practice, we can provide that as well.

We lift up Jesus’ celebratory but humble entrance into Jerusalem, marking the beginning of Holy Week.

We share a simple meal followed by Holy Communion and contemplate the last, shadowed hours of Christ in the Tenebrae Service at 7:15. This is a moving, dramatic, multisensory evening of worship.

Follow in the footsteps of Jesus in his walk to Calvary in the UCC sanctuary. This self-guided meditative journey features stations of Biblical readings and contemporary photos. Come and meditate in the sanctuary or between those hours. 

A Sunrise Service will be held at 6:30 am around the firepit in the UCC courtyard with music, stories, sermon and prayers followed by shared time together. At 10 am, we will celebrate Easter in the Sanctuary service with choir and brass, gathering afterward with coffee and treats in the Narthex.

Lenten Engagement

Join experienced practitioners of the contemplative arts, Jean Woessner and Judith Holloway, to learn and explore prayer practices that have sustained people for centuries, in hard times. Optional brown bag lunch to follow. Registration ahead will help us prepare. Click here, look for links in the eblast and sign-ups in the Narthex.

Kirk Reid will facilitate a study based on this book by Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies at Vanderbilt University, Amy-Jill Levine. She encourages us to hear with new ears the stories we thought we knew by heart and to find new and relevant meaning and understanding in them. Books are available to purchase but not required, and each session will stand alone. Come when you can.

In Church School, we will share “daily devotional” cards for families at the beginning of Lent for home Lenten practice. We will also engage the theme “Tell Me Something Good” with lively approaches to telling some of the Jesus stories through skits. Join the fun.

Lenten Calendar, 2026

Feb 18, 6:30 pm	Ash Wednesday
Feb 21, 10:30 am	Grounding Prayer Workshop
Feb 22, 10:00 am	Sunday Worship
Feb 26, 4:00 pm	Mid-Week Prayer
Mar 1, 10:00 am	Sunday Worship
Mar 1, 11:30 am	Lenten Study: Short Stories
Mar 4, 5:30 pm	Mid-Week Dinner and Taize
Mar 8, 10:00 am	Sunday Worship
Mar 8, 11:30 am	Lenten Study: Short Stories
Mar 12, 4:00 pm	Mid-Week Prayer
Mar 15, 10:00 am	Sunday Worship
Mar 15, 11:30 am	Lenten Study: Short Stories
Mar 18, 5:30 pm	Mid-Week Dinner and Taize
Mar 22, 10:00 am	Sunday Worship
Mar 22, 11:30 am	Lenten Study: Short Stories
Mar 26, 4:00 pm	Mid-Week Prayer
Mar 29, 10:00 am	Palm Sunday
Apr 2, 6:00 pm	Maundy Thursday
Apr 3, 11:00 am	Good Friday Vigil
Apr 5, 6:30 and 10:00 am	Easter Sunday