Ash Wednesday

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day in the season called Lent.

Ash Wednesday is an ancient holy day in the Christian Church calendar. It marks the beginning of the season of Lent – a time of penitence, discipline, and renewal. Through observing Ash Wednesday, we are reminded of our mortality, we confess our sins, and we experience forgiveness through Christ’s death and resurrection. One part of a church service is the “imposition of ashes” where people are invited to come forward to receive the ashes in the shaped of the cross on your forehead or back of the hand.

You can make that part of your time together observing Ash Wednesday. (See below)

In Scripture, ashes serve both as a symbol of mortality and as a sign of mourning and repentance. But neither sin nor death are the final word. With confidence and gratitude, we know that Christ has conquered sin and death, and nothing can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord. (Romans 8:31-39)

Here are some resources if you choose to celebrate Ash Wednesday at home.

HOW TO PREPARE THE ASHES

Gather some ashes from places like your fireplace or by burning something to make some ashes.

Take a small amount of ashes. A little goes along way.

Add a little bit of oil (NOT WATER)

Mix it together until it looks like mud or is sticky enough

What Does This Day Mean?

Three Teaching Points for Ash Wednesday

With These Ashes (song)