Lent begins with Ash Wednesday — Feb 22 — 6 PM Worship

Ash Wednesday emphasizes a dual encounter: we confront our own mortality and confess our sin before God within the community of faith.  The form and content of the service focus on the dual themes of sin and death in the light of God's redeeming love in Jesus Christ. he use of ashes as a sign of mortality and repentance has a long history in Jewish and Christian worship, and the imposition of ashes can be a powerful nonverbal and experiencial way of participating in the call to repentance and reconciliation. This practice is the historical focus of Ash Wednesday observance and gave the day its name.

The Season of Lent is approaching. Ash Wednesday is February 22 and we will have our Ash Wednesday Service at 6PM

This service will include the mark of the ash on the forehead. Lent is a season of 40 days, not counting Sundays, begin-ning Ash Wednesday (Feb. 22) and ending on Holy Saturday (April 8). Lent is a season of preparation for celebrating Easter (this year April 9).

Other special services during the season are Palm/Passion Sunday, April 2, Holy Thursday (April 6), and Good Friday(April 7). This year our Holy Thursday service will be held atMarina UMC in the evening and several of our UMC’s will be participating. Good Friday will be our annual noon timecross walk around the downtown area. It is a rich and meaningful season in which we can look at our lives and the things that we want to leave behind — dying to the old and rising to the new.