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, praying, and giving in preparation for Easter.

Our Ash Wednesday gathering will be a liturgy of corporate singing, pastoral explanation, public Scripture reading, congregational prayer, and personal confession. Through it all we ask people to commit to observing Lent through fasting, prayer, and giving. The service 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.

Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem was a weird event. He entered the city knowing that he was going to die there. Yet, he entered the city to shouts of royalty and cries for salvation from the throng of people who gathered. Those with Jesus didn’t understand it, at least not until after he died and rose. This sermon tells the Palm Sunday sermon and how his death and resurrection make it make sense.

This is a sermon on living a blessed life as described in Psalm 1.audioMORE SERMONSPlease Share