Special Ash Wednesday Service - Recording of scripture and sermon portion of the service on March 2, 2022

Early Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord's passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the church that before the Easter celebration there should be a forty-day season of spiritual preparation. During this season converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism. It was also a time when persons who had committed serious sins and had separated themselves from the community of faith were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to participation in the life of the church. In this way the whole congregation was reminded of the mercy and forgiveness proclaimed in the gospel of Jesus Christ and the need we all have to renew our faith.

We begin this time of preparation through the receiving of the ashes of the palm branches as an outward and visible sign of God’s inward working in your heart and soul. Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall to return