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Ash Wednesday Services

February 14, 2018

12-12:30 PM

5-5:30 PM 

in the sanctuary

Ash Wednesday is named for the marking of an ashen cross we receive on our foreheads, accompanied by the words remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

It’s one of the practices the Christian Tradition offers us that grounds us in the reality that there will come a day when we die … so what are we making of our life? And then there’s this: for those of us who are burdened by regret or expect more of ourselves than is humanly possible, remember you are dust declares a liberating corrective, reminding us that we are not God!

And here’s one more thing … the marking is not made of ash alone but of oil as well. Oil of healing, oil of blessing, oil of gladness. So the marking of the ashen cross signifies we belong to God who breathes us into life, whose mercy never comes to an end, who out of the ash, raises up new life.

There will be two half hour services on Wednesday, one at noon, and again at 5pm; both will take place upstairs in the sanctuary.

If you haven’t participated in this Ash Wednesday practice before, here’s your invitation.