Ash Wednesday takes place 46 days before Easter and comes from the ancient Jewish tradition of fasting. The practice often includes the wearing of ashes on the head—the ashes symbolizing the dust from which God made us. As the ashes are applied to a person’s forehead, the words “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return” are spoken. The day begins the liturgical season of Lent, which is a time of fasting, reflection, and preparation for Easter.

Our Ash Wednesday gathering will be a liturgy of corporate singing, pastoral explanation, public Scripture reading, congregational prayer, and personal confession and commitment. It will conclude with the ancient tradition of applying ashes to the forehead (this is completely optional) in remembrance of our frailty and need for a savior.