Ash Wednesday

Yesterday we gathered around the communion table in the sanctuary for Ash Wednesday Communion. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a forty day span of time from now until Easter. Ash Wednesday has its origins in the early Christian church. The idea was that Christians would sprinkle ashes on their head as a sign of repentance and humility. Ashes represent mortality, humility, remorse, and repentance. 

In the morning, I spent a couple of hours making ashes in my backyard by burning some fire woods. I mixed ashes with the anointing oil and brought it to church. During the Ash Wednesday communion service I anointed each one who was present and imposed the ashes on their forehead. "You are dust. To dust you shall return.. but remember, my friend, that the Lord is walking with you.."

It was a time of God's anointing, a time of receiving the touch of the Holy Spirit. It was a time of repentance and commitment. It was a time for the holy presence of God.
"Create in me a pure heart O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me" (psalm 51:10)

Lenten Blessings!