The observance of
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the church's journey to Easter through prayer and fasting. On this day, we remember our mortality; that we are created beings drawing our life and existence from an eternal holy God. We remember that it was out of the dust of the earth that we were created and to that dust we will return. Thanks be to God that through the life-giving sacrifice of God's son, Jesus Christ, the same power that brought him back from the grave is available to us. God's call for us to be holy is now possible through the power of his Holy Spirit whom Christ sent when he ascended to sit at the right hand of the Father. As we mark ourselves with the sign of the cross in ashes, we are reminded that that underneath this temporal sign is the eternal mark of God claiming and naming us as his children.
Wednesday, February 18, we will gather for a brief service consisting of songs, scripture readings, prayer, imposition of ashes, corporate confession, and Eucharist (that is, communion). Elders will be present for personal prayer, laying on of hands, and anointing with oil.
