Ash Wednesday Service | February 22, 7pm | 1300 E Aloha St.

Come join us in observing the beginning of the Lenten season (Childcare available through age 5)

Ash Wednesday—the beginning of the season of Lent—is all about authenticity. Traditionally, Christians have allowed ashes to be spread upon their foreheads on Ash Wednesday. What results is an absurd looking community of people all with dark smudges on their faces. What is the point? (Note: Anyone who is uncomfortable with this practice can freely choose not to participate in this part of the service.)

The point is that Ash Wednesday is a reminder of who we are—we are mortal and we are not gods. We will not live forever and many of our dreams will die with us. Many of us spend most of our lives trying to deny this reality, but Ash Wednesday is a time when we consciously remind ourselves of the truth—from dust we came and to dust we shall return.

But Ash Wednesday is not only about reminding ourselves about the fact that we are mortal. It is also about owning the fact that we are sinners. In the ancient world, placing ashes on your head was a way of saying, “I am guilty.” On Ash Wednesday, we adopt this practice as well. So as we stand around and look at each other with these odd black smudges on our foreheads, we are saying to God and to each other, “I don't have it all together. I'm not the person I want to be. I am a sinner.”

Finally, Ash Wednesday is also a time of hope. The ashes are placed on our foreheads in the shape of the cross. This is a reminder that if we have faith in Jesus, our mortality and our sins aren't the final word about us. There is a stronger reality at work in our lives-the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through Jesus' work on our behalf, God has actually won the battle over our sins and has even defeated death itself.

To prepare yourself for this service, listen to "Come All Ye" by Hymns from Nineveh below. We will be playing this song during the service. Hope to see you there.