Ash Wednesday

What is Ash Wednesday?
Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent. The word "lent" comes from an old Anglo-Saxon word that simply means "Spring". In much of Christian history and tradition, it is a season for spiritual preparation. You may think of it as "Spring cleaning for the soul". Lent is a 40-day period of fasting (giving up something- usually food- for spiritual reasons), prayer, reflection, and meditation.

Throughout the Bible, people used dust and ashes to represent confession, repentance, and mourning. Being marked with ashes is a way to publicly acknowledge you are a sinner, and the penalty for sin is death. As believers in Jesus, it is a reminder that Jesus has paid the penalty for our sin by taking our place on the cross.

Ashes also encourage us to look forward to the sure and certain hope of the resurrection!

What will it be like?
You will come inside the church, where you will watch a short video providing instructions on what to do when entering the sanctuary. Once you enter the sanctuary, there will be slides scrolling that you will read to guide you through a personal time of introspection, confession, thanksgiving, and prayer. When you are ready, you will individually go to the front of the church and receive ashes. One of our pastors will mark your forehead in the shape of a cross to remind us that we deserve death, but Jesus took our penalty. You will then leave, keeping the ashes on your head as you go throughout the rest of your day. When people ask why you have ashes, you will tell them the good news of the gospel.

How long will it last?
You can join us 11-1 or 5:30-7:30. The amount of time depends on you. For planning purposes, please allow at least 15 minutes. You can stay as little or as long as you'd like to prayerfully seek the Lord as you prepare your heart for Easter.