Ashes on First Sunday of Lent

In place of our traditional Ash Wednesday evening worship service, Neighborhood Congregational Church invites the community to begin the Lenten season with distribution of ashes and a time for quiet reflection in Sunday morning worship, February 22, at 10:00.  Pam Wicks and Doug Miller will provide instrumental music, and Rev. B. J. Beu will lead the congregation in a quiet time of introspection and reflection before offering a blessing with ashes to anyone who wishes to receive this gift. 

Ashes have long been a part of the Christian tradition for beginning the season of Lent.  Created from Palm Sunday branches of the previous year, ashes are used to remind people of human mortality and shortcomings.  The Season of Lent is a six-week season to reflect and remember Jesus’ last weeks on earth and to prepare to celebrate new life on Easter Sunday.   In ancient times, this season was a season for new believers to prepare for baptism on Easter Sunday.  Only since Vatican II and the ecumenical movement that followed has Lent been a season celebrated broadly amongst both Protestant and Catholic Christians.  Now, many churches include dinners, study sessions, as well as special worship services to commemorate the season.  Noticing that only a few people could make time to attend a Wednesday evening service, Rev. Beu decided to add the “ritual of ashes” into his Sunday morning plans for the first Sunday of Lent at Neighborhood Congregational Church.  All are invited and welcome to attend and participate in whatever way is most comfortable.