Worship Matters
“Ashes to Go”
We start the season of Lent with Ashes.
In the Old Testament ashes represent death and sorrow for sins. Ashes and dust are synonymous. Our bodies are made of dust (Gen 2:7), and upon death they return to “dust and ashes” (Gen 18:17). Ashes serve as a stark reminder of human mortality which is a compelling reason to do penance. In biblical times, once people admitted their sins they covered themselves with sackcloth and ashes (Jer 6:26; 25:34; Dan 9:3; Jonah 3:6,10) as a public admission of guilt, a plea for God’s mercy, a promise to reform, and a pledge to resist future temptation. The ashes used on Ash Wednesday come from the burning of palms from previous Palm Sundays, the residue is crushed into a fine powder, and then applied to the forehead in the Sign of the Cross with the statement “Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return” (Gen 3:19).
This year, Ash Wednesday is on February 14th. We will host "Ashes to Go" from 6:30-8:30 AM at the back entrance only and Ash Wednesday worship opportunities at Noon and 7:00 PM. Ashes in personal use packages will be available to those who want them but cannot make any of these opportunities. Simply call the church office.
We start the season of Lent with Ashes.
In the Old Testament ashes represent death and sorrow for sins. Ashes and dust are synonymous. Our bodies are made of dust (Gen 2:7), and upon death they return to “dust and ashes” (Gen 18:17). Ashes serve as a stark reminder of human mortality which is a compelling reason to do penance. In biblical times, once people admitted their sins they covered themselves with sackcloth and ashes (Jer 6:26; 25:34; Dan 9:3; Jonah 3:6,10) as a public admission of guilt, a plea for God’s mercy, a promise to reform, and a pledge to resist future temptation. The ashes used on Ash Wednesday come from the burning of palms from previous Palm Sundays, the residue is crushed into a fine powder, and then applied to the forehead in the Sign of the Cross with the statement “Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return” (Gen 3:19).
This year, Ash Wednesday is on February 14th. We will host "Ashes to Go" from 6:30-8:30 AM at the back entrance only and Ash Wednesday worship opportunities at Noon and 7:00 PM. Ashes in personal use packages will be available to those who want them but cannot make any of these opportunities. Simply call the church office.