Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent. The biblical witness is found in the opening epic of the human story “you are dust and to dust you shall return” (Gen. 3: 19). In the 10th century the use of ashes was employed to visibly remind worshippers of their mortality as they began their Lenten watch by the cross. An Ash Wednesday service will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February, 22nd, 2023 in the KNOX Hall Worship space. Additionally, you may drive through the Circle Driveway between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Ash Wednesday and be touched by the Ashes and receive individual prayer.
What is Ash Wednesday?
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent in the Western Christian calendar. Occurring 46 days before Easter, it is a moveable fast in that the date for Easter is determined by the Jewish Calendar (which is lunar as opposed to solar). The notion of 40 days comes from the gospel retelling of Jesus spending 40 days fasting in the desert. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of this 40-day liturgical period of prayer & fasting.
Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of adherents as a reminder and celebration of human mortality, and as a sign of mourning and repentance to God. This symbolism comes from many Biblical passages, including the one we’ll listen to on Ash Wednesday. The ashes used are typically gathered from the burning of the palms from the previous year’s Palm Sunday. Your Worship team saved last year’s palms for this very purpose at FPC in 2023.
Lent
Lent is the “in-between time “ the season between Epiphany and Holy Week – a journey from ashes to palms and beyond.
The Lenten season is one between Jesus’ transfiguration and our shouts of “Hosanna!” The time when Jesus meets us, and helps us to face our temptations on our journeys through the wilderness,
LENT Begins from our Beginnings
Spiritual Practice in Lent
Traditionally people give up things for Lent – as a spiritual practice of preparation or mindfulness. We modern people often approach this ancient practice of self-denial more in the spirit of this cartoon than as a form of spiritual practice. While giving up something just to give it up, or to establish better habits isn’t necessarily spiritual. Giving something up – or taking a new discipline – can be a meaningful way to practice mindfulness of how God loves us and is present in the world. Throughout Lent 2023 and the Wednesday vespers that happen weekly on Wednesdays for 6 weeks, you will find many different spiritual practices throughout the short and meaningful vespers and we will celebrate Communion weekly.