The Herald Newsletter
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Issue 2 I February 2026
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Ash Wednesday
February 18, Noon & 6:30pm
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of our journey to Easter. This day, we remember our own humanity and our need for God through the imposition of ashes made from the palm fronds of last year’s Palm Sunday. There will be two opportunities to receive ashes. Stop by between Noon-1:00pm to receive your ashes in the Sanctuary, or attend the service at 6:30pm (details below).
Ash Wednesday Worship, 6:30pm in the Sanctuary
This deeply spiritual service will help prepare our hearts for the season of Lent and will be designed for the entire family to worship together. Infant/toddler childcare available during the service. This service will be livestreamed.
This Lent, you are invited into a rich, intentional journey of faith that extends across all 40 days—from Ash Wednesday to the start of Holy Week in April. 40 Days: Engage in Your Faith offers daily opportunities to participate fully in the season.
Each day, you’ll find at least one way to engage in Lent: Bible studies, opportunities for communion, worship experiences, service projects, and small-group conversations hosted in members’ homes as part of a three-week discussion series. During Wednesday Night Live, Pastors Jim Keck and Juan Carlos will also lead a special series, 5 Books for Lent, guiding us through scripture and reflection together.
The Challenge: While you’re welcome to participate as often as you are able, we invite you to set a personal goal of attending at least 6 offerings during the 40 days of Lent. Whether through worship, study, service, or conversation, this simple commitment can deepen your awareness, strengthen your faith, and root you more fully in the season.
This series is designed to help you go deeper with intention, wonder, and adoring reverence as we prepare our hearts and lives for Easter.
February Lenten Calendar
Feb 18: Ash Wednesday – Noon & 6:30pm worship
Feb 19: Bible Study with Dr. Keck – Noon, Choir room
Feb 20: Slices & Spirituality, Noon-1:00pm, Bible study with a light pizza lunch (freewill donation) Pilgrim Hall
Feb 21: Worship, 5:30pm Chapel
Feb 22: Worship 8:15am, 9:00am, 10:30am, 11:57am at 20th & D | 9:30am FP South
Feb 22: FP Presents The Vanishing Church at Screamers Restaurant
Feb 23: Lenten Symbols Tour- 5:30pm. Join Dr. Keck for a walking tour around the church to explore the symbols in the church architecture.
Feb 24: Lenten Chapel – 5:30pm, Chapel. Brief scripture, good word, and communion with one another.
Feb 25: 40 Days Engaging Your Faith: Five Books That Shaped Our Faith: 6:15pm, Pilgrim Hall. Details on page 4.
Feb 26: Bible Study with Dr. Keck – Noon, Choir room
Feb 27: Slices & Spirituality, Noon-1:00pm, Bible study with a light pizza lunch. (freewill donation) Pilgrim Hall
Feb 28: Worship 5:30pm, Chapel
Join a Lenten Small Group
Find hope in challenging times! During Lent, join a discussion group—at church, in homes, or online via Zoom—as we explore polycrisis topics like immigration, climate change, religion, and more. Together, we’ll seek the spirit of hope and reflect on biblical texts that guide us forward through these difficult times. These three-week groups begin the week of March 8.
Groups meeting at various times and locations will be listed mid-February at firstplymouth.org. Contact a group leader to join, or start your own conversation at home with family and friends. This is a safe space to share, listen, and reflect in our polycrisis world.
Sign Up to be a Lenten Group Host
Host a small group for our 3-week Lenten study anytime that works for you (home, church, coffee shop, etc.). Curriculum provided—just facilitate conversation and community. Interested? Contact Addie at addie@firstplymouth.org
Lenten Devotional Booklets
Daily devotionals written by church members. Copies available at the church or at firstplymouth.org prior to Ash Wednesday. Thank you, Dale Hauptmeier, for all the work on this big project!
Compline
Sunday, February 8, 7:00-7:30pm, Sanctuary
Ancient Worship for the modern soul
Pre-Compline series Into the Stillness
Yoga
February 8, 6:00pm, Chapel. Led by Maggie Pleskac, Milkweed Yoga. Free and open to all. Bring your own yoga mat.
Academic Bible Study
The Bible with and without Jesus: The Book of Genesis
Sundays, Feb 1–22, 11:30am–12:30pm, in the Tower Room. Led by Leah Cech.
Explore how Jews and Christians read the creation narratives in Genesis differently. Discover how both traditions’ interpretations can enrich and deepen our understanding of these verses. Optional Book: The Bible With and Without Jesus: How Jews and Christians Read the Same Stories Differently, by Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Zvi Brettler.
This Spring:
Women of the Bible: Victors and Villians, March 1-19
Biblical Hebrew, Simplified: Language Insights to Deepen Your Bible Study – April 12- May 3
Youth Masterworks Festival
at the Lied Center for Performing Arts
Monday, February 23, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
More than 300 high school students fill the Lied Center stage to perform Christopher Tin’s engaging and fun choral/orchestral masterpiece, The Drop That Contained the Sea. The massed choir, accompanied by the Lincoln Youth Symphony Orchestra will be directed by Cambodian-American conductor Darita Seth.
Freewill offering to benefit The Bay.
No livestream available.
Sponsored by Dr. John H. Casey and Dr. Pamela F. Starr with the support of the Lincoln Youth Symphony.
My Funny Valentine
An Abendmusik Fundraiser
Saturday, February 14 at 7:00pm
Join Tom Trenney for a nostalgic concert of favorites from the Great American Songbook and enjoy a gourmet meal-- all delivered to your home.
Online only. Tickets required.
Visit abendmusik.org for details.
Grape Expectations Church Social
Fri. February 13, 6:30-9:00pm, at the Pemberton’s home.
Hosted by Erin & Jim Pemberton
A great way to meet others who attend First-Plymouth. RSVP epemberton@baylorevnen.com
Plymouth Pride
Email addie@firstplymouth.org to receive the event emails.
FP Singles Ministry
Check out the monthly events by getting on the email list. Email addie@firstplymouth.org.
Healthy Boundaries
Feb 28 10:30-11:30am, Mayflower Hall
Jerome Barry LLC, LMHP, LADC on healthy boundaries in work and life.
Between Services Book Group
The Joy You Make by Steven Petrow starting on Feb 15. Sundays, 9:45-10:30am, Tower Room.
First-Plymouth Presents
THE VANISHING CHURCH
When moderate churches in America fade away, what is lost—and what might still be reclaimed?
Sunday, February 22, 6:00pm (Doors open at 5:00pm)
Screamers Family Restaurant (803 Q St)
Live Music from the Screamers Singers
Grab a soda, beer, or dinner (available for purchase). Parking garage located across the street.
Theology on Tap
with Pastor Juan Carlos
Mon, Feb 2, @ First-Plymouth, Pilgrim Hall. 6:30-7:30pm
Mon, March 2 & April 6 @ The Mill- Innovation Campus (2021 Transformation Dr), 6:30-7:30pm
An Abolitionist’s Handbook: 12 Steps to Changing Yourself and the World
An Abolitionist’s Handbook, based on the book by Patrisse Cullors, invites activists and everyday people to practice abolition in daily life—not only by dismantling harmful systems, but by transforming personal relationships through love, compassion, and accountability. The 12-step framework offers practical guidance on forgiveness, community-building, and moving from “cancel culture” toward healing and shared vision. This timely, thought-provoking series promises meaningful conversation, deep learning, and fresh insight into building a more just world.
Sustainable tips from the Climate Action Team and Sustainable Living Ministry
Watch Kim Morrow’s presentation for the League of Women Voters on the Lincoln Climate Action Plan (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqOkLGjrWko). The public will be included when the plan is updated in 2027. Kim also discusses actions individuals and the community can take now to help Lincoln become more climate resilient and sustainable.
Bread for the World Ministry at FP
No one should face hunger, yet thousands across Nebraska—including children, seniors, and veterans—do. Food insecurity among children in Lancaster County has risen sharply since 2019. Join us for two WNL sessions to learn about current legislation addressing hunger and how to advocate effectively for change.
The Indigenous Working Group invites you to learn, engage, and participate in upcoming events focused on Indigenous history, culture, and justice. Questions? Contact Dan Klock at danklock16@gmail.com.
Feb 9 – Indigenous Film Series: Oyate Woyaka (2024), Ross Theater, 6:45pm. Learn about Lakota language history, loss, and revitalization. Free admission.
Feb 12 – IWG Monthly Meeting, 5:00–6:30pm, Calvert Parlor.
Feb 20 – IWG Book Club. Call LeAnn (402-617-0311) for details.
Feb 26 – Winter Native American Film Series: Crying Earth Rise Up (2015), 5:30–7:00pm, Pilgrim Hall, FPC. Free admission. A powerful film on uranium mining and water justice. Free admission.
Mar 26 – Winter Native American Film Series: Home From School: The Children of Carlisle, 5:30–7:00 pm, Pilgrim Hall, FPC. Free admission.
Grief Support
2nd Friday (Feb 13) 3:00pm, Calvert Parlor. Group led.
Feb 17, 6:00-7:30pm, Tower Rm. Led by Lisa Borchardt, LCSW. Register with addie@firstplymouth.org
Adoption Triad Sharing Group
Meets the third Thursday of each month in Calvert Parlor from 6:30 – 8:00pm. Adopted persons, parents of an adoptee, or birth parents are invited to attend to share perspectives in a welcoming group. Contact dbush2508@gmail.com.