For the 40 days of Lent we are invited to reflect. This season is about the space we create to notice what we’ve been filling our lives with instead of God. As we journey toward the cross, we carry the awareness of not just our own mortality, but also that of Jesus whose pain was real, just like ours.
Easter is a wonderful celebration but we can’t rush past the hard stuff. So we go through Lent and are honest about what it means to be fully human, trusting that hope is always somewhere nearby.
We hope that this programming guide will inspire you to explore opportunities to enter into this Holy Season, to connect with others and God.
-Rev. Michelle Robinson
FLIPPED
A Lenten Series – Gospel of John
When Jesus Turns Everything Around
Ash Wednesday
February 18
Due to expected weather conditions there will be no Ash Wednesday service.
See below a service to use at home.
Lent 1
February 22 at 10:30am
Praise and Worship with SALT Praise Band
Annual Congregational Meeting following worship
Lent 2
March 1 at 10:30am
John 13:1-17
Communion Sunday
Footwashing as a sign of Jesus’ love and example.
The Flip: We expect the “greatest” in the room to be the one being served. Instead, Jesus gets down and washes feet.
Lent 3
March 8 at 10:30am
John 18:12-27
Jesus’ trial and Peter’s denial.
Flip: We think following Jesus gives answers, sometimes it just brings harder questions.
Lent 4
March 15 at 10:30am
John 18:28-40
My kingdom is not from this world.
The Flip: Pilate holds the power but “the prisoner” is the one in command.
Lent 5
March 22 at 10:30am
John 19:1-16a
Jesus is condemned.
The Flip: When Jesus is mocked as king, the soldiers are accidentally telling the truth.
Palm Sunday
March 29 at 10:30am
John 19:16b-22
John 12:12-27
Triumphal Entry Sign above the cross proclaims the crucified king.
The Flip: The triumphal entry is actually the beginning of the end Glory looks like a grain of wheat falling into the dark.
Maundy Thursday
April 2 at 7:00pm with communion
Good Friday
April 3 at 7:00pm
Wrapping of the Cross
Early Morning Easter Service
April 5 at 8:30am
Outdoor service, weather pending
Easter Sunday Breakfast
Join us for Easter breakfast between the 8:30am and 10:30am Easter services.
Easter Sunday
April 5 at 10:30am
We’re excited to share this year’s Lenten Devotional that has been created by members of our own congregation!
Contributors of all ages have created entries for the 40 days of Lent, featuring reflections, artwork, poetry, and everyday parables.
We invite you to journey through Lent using this meaningful community-written resource.
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
Be sure to draw a pancake on your calendar for Tuesday, February 17!
Get ready to fill up on our delicious pancakes topped with buttery syrup. Doors open at 5:30pm! Mmmm! I can taste them now….
Annual Congregational Meeting
The annual congregational meeting will be held on Sunday February 22, 2026 at 12:15pm in person in the sanctuary (online attendance option available). Lunch will be provided in the gym after worship before the meeting starts. All members and adherents of Westminster United Church are welcome to attend. Childcare will be provided.
Attending in person?
Please register:
Lenten Pray-tzels
Sunday March 1 after worship
An Ancient Lenten Practice
Pretzels for Lent date back to the early Church, sometime in the 7th century. It was common for Christians to fast during Lent, abstaining from meat, dairy, fats, and sweets. These quick-bread “Pray” tzles are made with a tiny bit of sugar, flour, water and yeast! Join us in the kitchen after worship to make your own with friends!
Labyrinth
We can sometimes feel ourselves walking in metaphorical wildernesses in our lives. Feeling alone, adrift, apart, or lost? Come find comfort at the quiet centre.
Our sanctuary contains a labyrinth. On Wednesday March 4 from 7:30pm – 9:00pm, we welcome you to walk the path to the centre in prayerful meditation. The sanctuary will be a peaceful space glowing with candlelight. Space for conversation and reflection is available in the founder’s room after your walk.
Easter EGG-stravaganza
Saturday April 4, 2026
10:00am – 12:00pm
Egg-citing News! Eggstravaganza will be happening at Westminster!
Enjoy the Egg Hunt, Crafts, Snacks, and the Photo Booth (new this year). Bring the whole family!
Easter Sunday Breakfast
Join us for a lovely Easter breakfast between the 8:30am and 10:30am Easter services on Sunday April 5!
Easter Memorials
Easter is a sacred time to remember and honour loved ones who have passed. At Westminster, you are invited to do so through an Easter Memorial Donation.
Memorials will be acknowledged in the Easter Sunday email and in the April issue of Westminster World. You are welcome to include a photo for the worship service video presentation, though words alone are equally meaningful.
Your donation helps purchase beautiful spring flowers to decorate the sanctuary on Easter Sunday. Following the service, these flowers are delivered to members and friends who may be ill, in hospital or long-term care, experiencing difficult times, or grieving a recent loss. Recipients are identified by Ministry and Office staff, the Wellness Committee, and Friendly Visitors.
If you know someone who would appreciate receiving flowers, please contact the church office at wuc@westminster-uc.ca .
Step 1: Make a Financial Donation
Deadline: Friday, March 27
E-transfer
Send to: wuc@westminster-uc.ca
Security question: EASTER
Security answer: MEMORIALS
Please include “for Easter Memorials” in the message line.
Debit or Credit
Use Westminster’s SQUARE terminal in the church office during office hours or on Sundays in the Narthex.
Cheque or Cash
Place your donation in an envelope and drop it off at the church office or in the offering plate on Sunday. Clearly mark the envelope “Easter Memorials” and include your name.
Any remaining funds after flower purchases will support Westminster’s Local Fund. The full amount of your donation will appear on your 2026 tax receipt.
Step 2: Submit Memorial Information
Deadline: Friday, March 27
Email your memorial listing to Olivia Wild at oliviacwild@gmail.com
Please include:
- Subject line: EASTER MEMORIALS
- Name(s) of the donor(s)
- Name(s) of the person(s) being remembered
- A photo attachment (if you would like one included)
While our preference is to receive memorial information by email, paper forms are available in the church office and in the Narthex.
Volunteers Needed – Flower Delivery
If you are able to assist with flower delivery on Sunday, April 5, or would like more information, please contact Crystal Smith at crystal.a.smith55@gmail.com.
Receiving these Easter plants brings heartfelt joy and reminds recipients that they are cherished members of our church family. Thank you for considering a memorial donation this Easter.
With gratitude,
The Wellness Committee
Lenten Resources For Kids
Book recommendations from Rev. Michelle Robinson
Faithful Families for Lent, Easter and Resurrection: Simple Ways to Create Meaning for the Season by Traci Smith – January 2022
This is the book I got for my family for this year after I saw it recommended by a few authors I follow. Included are some fun and easy practices for making the season meaningful as we seek to share the deep mysteries of Lent, Easter, and Resurrection with our kids. There are also some theological notes for parents on addressing the violence of the crucifixion and the meaning of Jesus’ death.
Spark Story Bible Devotions for Kids
Published by Sparkhouse Family August 2016
This gets a lot of use in my house. It can be paired with The Spark Story Bible if you have it, but verses can be read from any bible you have. These devotions journey through 100 different Bible stories with questions for reflection, key verses, prayers, and family activity ideas. The New Testament devotions include stories from Jesus’ ministry, including parables, miracles, and his death and resurrection.
Make Room: A Child’s Guide to Lent and Easter
by Laura Alary – January 2016
Another favourite of our family. This book invites children to encounter Lent with all their senses, and to experience activities in Lent as part of a life of discipleship. The suggested activities are connected to the story of Jesus and encourage us to make room for God in our lives and in the world around us.