Lent & Easter 2026
Smoke and Mirrors
“You have heard it said...” What have we been hearing? Culture tells us truths that shape so much of our lives but don’t satisfy what our souls need. In this season of Lent, we will prepare our hearts for the celebration of Easter by turning down the volume on the world’s declarations to refocus on Christ, who tells us “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
We invite you to scroll through the special opportunities below and choose some that will help you experience the season more fully.
Faithful Fur Friend Adoption
Feb 15-22, Nursery Rotunda
Children are invited to adopt a "Faithful Fur Friend" this Lent! Each child will choose a stuffed dog or cat and receive a daily Lenten devotional designed especially for kids, encouraging prayer, kindness, and thoughtful reflection throughout the season. It’s a fun and meaningful way for children to grow in faith while experiencing the journey of Lent together.
Ash Wednesday Services - Feb 18
Ash Wednesday services lead us into the season of Lent, a time to repent and to prepare for the coming of Easter. Each service will feature music, a short meditation, Holy Communion, and the Imposition of ashes.
6:30am • Chapel
12pm • Worship & Arts Center
4:30pm • Discovery Point, 2120 E. Prairie Creek Dr.
Join us for our Ash Wednesday Family Service! Experience the music and prayers of Ash Wednesday together in an outdoor worship space to better understand why the day is important as we begin the season of Lent.
If it is raining, this service will be held in Coleman Family Hall at FUMCR.
6:30pm • Sanctuary & Livestream
Child care will be available at the 6:30pm service.
YouTube
Ash Wednesday Family Service
Wed, Feb 18, 4:30-5:30pm, Discovery Point at Prairie Creek Park
Join us for our Ash Wednesday Family Worship Service. Experience the music and prayers of Ash Wednesday as a family in an outdoor worship space, with interactive, hands-on activities to help deepen your understanding of the day and its significance as we begin the season of Lent.
No cost or registration required.
Discovery Point at Prairie Creek Park is located at 2120 E. Prairie Creek Dr. Enter the park directly across from Prairie Creek Elemetary School.
If it is raining, the family service will be held in Coleman Family Hall at FUMCR.
Lenten Learning Communities
Experience Lent with others through a Learning Community.
Easter Egg Hunt
Sun, Mar 29, 4-6pm, Oliphint Field
Join us for our Easter Eggstravaganza - a fun-filled afternoon to celebrate with the whole family!
Easter egg hunts are divided into age categories.
4:15pm: 3 years and younger
4:45pm: 4-5 years old
5:15pm: 6-8 years old
5:30pm: 9-12 years old
Volunteers of all ages are needed to help make this event possible for the children. Sign up here
We are taking donations for Easter eggs! Please drop off filled Easter eggs at the welcome desk or in marked bins located around the church.
Easter Story Walk
Mar 30-Apr 4, Playground Plaza
Bring your family during Holy Week to prepare for Easter morning! Walk through the story, Mary and the Gardener, to help your children understand the events around Jesus’s resurrection. You will experience the story of Easter and gather items to help remember and retell this important day of our faith.
Walk Through Holy Week
Wed, Apr 1, 4:30-5:30pm, Worship & Arts Center
Families are invited to experience the music and prayers of Holy Week together, then walk through interactive Stations of the Cross activities as we prepare to celebrate Easter. No registration required.
Maundy Thursday Worship
Apr 2, 7pm, Sanctuary + Livestream
Maundy Thursday (also called Holy Thursday) is the first of the three days of solemn remembrance of the events leading up to and immediately following the crucifixion. Join us for a a meaningful exploration of our Communion liturgy through music, word, and the Communion Sacrament as we reflect on Jesus' last supper with his disciples.
Childcare will be available for ages 3 and younger.
What does Maundy mean?
Maundy is derived from the Latin word "mandatum," or commandment, and refers to Jesus’ mandate to his disciples in John 13:34 to "Love one another as I have loved you."
Good Friday Worship
Apr 3, 7pm, Sanctuary + Livestream
A blend of readings mixed with a variety of musical offerings from our Chancel Choir will guide our experience of the journey to the cross in a service of Tenebrae (darkness).
Childcare will be available for ages 3 and younger.
What's good about Good Friday?
“Good” Friday is likely an alteration of the Germanic word, "Goddes," meaning "God's" or "Holy." Only in English and Dutch is it called Good Friday. It is called Holy Friday in nearly all other languages in the world.
Service of Baptism
Sat, Apr 4, 4-5 pm, Sanctuary
Join us for a special service of baptism for children, youth, and adults. If you are interested in baptism, please see our Baptism page to learn more about our monthly classes and scheduling a baptism for this or another service.
Easter Sunday Worship
Celebrate Easter in worship with us on April 5!
Traditional Worship - 8:30, 9:45, and 11am* in the Sanctuary, Dr. Clayton Oliphint, preaching
*Livestream available at fumcr.com/online
Modern Worship - 9:45 and 11am in the Worship & Arts Center, Rev. Allison Jean, preaching
No Sunday school for children, youth, or adults.
Extra parking on Sunday is available on the post office property immediate north of the church property. Enter from the southbound service road south of Arapaho.
Childcare will be available for ages 3 and younger.
Online Worship - 9:45am at fumcr.com/online and at youtube.com/fumcr
Lenten Offering
During the Lent and Easter season, we have the opportunity to bless children attending public schools in our community with a special offering:
Richardson ISD Backpack Bash provides students and families the opportunity to get the supplies and services they need to start the school year well.
Children First supports our partner elementary schools, Mark Twain and Dover, and provides books to students each year. fumcr.com/childrenfirst
