Ash Wednesday

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. We leave the service in confidence and gratitude: Christ has conquered death, and nothing can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

O Lord, open my lips,                                               and my mouth will declare your praise.        For you have no delight in sacrifice;        If I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased.        The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Imposition of the Ashes

We begin our journey to Easter with the sign of ashes. This ancient sign speaks of the frailty and uncertainty of human life, calls us to heartfelt repentance, and urges us to place our hope in God alone.

Prayer:              Almighty God,                         you have created us out of the dust of the earth.                         May these ashes remind us                         of our mortality and penitence                         and teach us again that only by your gracious gift                         are we given everlasting life;                         through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

Invitation:         I invite you, therefore, in the name of Christ,                         to observe a holy Lent                         by self-examination and penitence,                         by prayer and fasting,                         by works of love,                         and by reading and meditating on the Word of God.

  You are welcome to come forward to receive the ashes on your bared forehead (or your hand).