Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent and is always 46 days before Easter Sunday. Lent is a period of 40 days (excluding Sundays) leading up to Easter Sunday. It is a time of preparation for Easter marked by repentance, fasting, reflection, and ultimately celebration. The 40-day period represents Christ’s time of temptation in the wilderness described in the Gospels, where he fasted and where Satan tempted him. The period of Lent culminates with Holy Week, which includes Palm Sunday and the joyous celebration of Easter.
The name “Ash Wednesday” is derived from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of believers (“ashing”) in the shape of a cross. The ashes are traditionally obtained by burning palm crosses blessed on the previous year’s Palm Sunday. Ash Wednesday serves as a time for us to reflect on our lives, confess our sins, seek repentance, and prepare spiritually for the celebration of Easter.
Our Ash Wednesday services, with Holy Communion and ashing, will be at 10:00am and 7:30pm