Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, a six week period leading up to Easter Sunday. Lent is a time of Repentance, Reconciliation and Redemption as we prepare ourselves to receive the gift of Jesus sacrifice on Good Friday and His resurrection on Easter Sunday.
The ashes represent repentance from sin and have a biblical significance. Two of several examples are in 2 Samuel 13:19 when Tamar, an Israelite Princes, the daughter of King David and Maacah born about 1,000 BCE, was raped by her half brother Amon. According the scripture, “She sprinkled ashes on her head, tore her robe, and with her face buried in her hands went away crying.” In the Book of Jeremiah, the prophet, explains an act of repentance in 6:26, “O daughter of my people, grid on sackcloth, roll in ashes.”
By the end of the 10th Century those who for some reason had been removed from normal sacraments, Holy Communion, were offered a return to the sacrament would arrive dressed in sackcloth and publicly have ashes applied as a sign of repentance and reconciliation. Over the years this changed to the shape of a cross applied to the forehead.
The ashes themselves are usually made from the psalm branches used in the previous year Psalm Sunday Service. The psalms are burned and the ashes mixed with a little holy water or olive oil to achieve their sticky texture. After they are applied there is no distinct specified time to keep the ashes on the forehead. They may be removed immediately, or left in place for the day, as a show of repentance.
The application is usually accompanied by a saying such as, “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return,” or “Repent, and believe in the Gospel.”
Join us for the music from our Ash Wednesday Service.
Painting: "The Fight Between Carnival and Lent," 1559, Pieter Bruehhel, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, Austria.
When the Spiritual and Secular clash is what we have in the Pieter Brueghel’s , “The Fight Between Carnival and Lent” Carnival is represented by man riding a barrel wearing a meat pie hat and a lance covered roasted pork. Across from him is a woman, wide eyed standing on a cart wearing a beehive holding two fish on a peel surrounded by loaves, pretzels and a basket of mussels. This confrontation splits the season into two perspectives. But the well above the two reminds us of baptism and the way back to our Lord.
Call to Worship: Praise Team
"Humble Yourself"
Welcome Prayer: Pastor Bob Ramos
Song of Praise: Praise Team
"How Deep the Father's love for Us"
Lenten Mediation: Pastor Ron Urzua
Drawing near to God in Prayer: Pastor Ron
Imposition of the Ashes
Closing Song: Praise Team
"Here Is My Heart Lord"