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By: Pastor Berg

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, the Christian’s 40-day journey with the Lord to the cross and tomb, preparing for the proclamation of Easter. The 40 days are reminiscent of several biblical events: Jesus’ 40-day fast at the beginning of this ministry, Moses’ stay on Mount Sinai at the giving of the Law, and Elijah’s fast on his way to the mountain of God.

Ash Wednesday begins the Christian’s Lenten journey with a reminder of our mortality and a call to repentance. Abraham said when speaking to God:  “Abraham answered, “See now, I who am but dust and ashes have taken it on myself to speak to my Lord.” (Genesis 18:27, EHV) . Job spoke from his repentant heart when he said: “So I despise myself. I repent in dust and ashes.”” (Job 42:6, EHV). The ancient practice of applying ashes on the foreheads of believers gives Ash Wednesday its name.

The church father Tertullian (c. a.d. 160-215) writes of the practice as a public expression of repentance and of our human frailty that stands in need of Christ. The ashes remind us forcefully of our need for redeeming grace as they recall the words spoken over a casket before it is buried: “…earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust…” While practiced consistently by the Roman Catholic Church, this tradition has never been exclusively Roman Catholic and is observed widely today by Christians of many denominations.

On February 14, Ash Wednesday, you will have the opportunity to join with Christians in this ancient practice during our worship services here at Eastside. Please understand the following.

The imposition of ashes is purely a voluntary act. You are not required to receive the ashes. You are not expected to come forward. Please, only come forward if you wish to receive this tangible reminder. When you come forward the ashes will be applied in one of two ways: either a shape of the cross on the forehead or a shape of a cross on the back of your hand. If you desire to have the ashes on your hand, please place it on the wooden stand when you come forward. Parents, you may certainly bring your children forward to receive the ashes if you desire.

May God bless this practice! May it bring a renewed sense of awareness of our sinfulness, but more importantly, reassurance that just as those ashes will be washed away, our sins are washed away by Jesus and his sacrifice that we are preparing for during this season of Lent.