Ash Wednesday, March 2

Our Ending and Our Beginning

A cliff of black rocks.

Join St. Luke's and Grace Church in observing Ash Wednesday, March 2:
-- Open space for prayer, candle lighting in remembrance or lament, and imposition of ashes: 7:00 a.m. -- 6:00 p.m.
-- Worship with holy communion and imposition of ashes: 7:00 p.m.

It is the middle of the week. We could be busy about many things, or nothing at all. Instead, we gather to remember what we usually try to forget: sin and death are killing us. The litany of our sins is long. "Have mercy" is our only prayer. Palm fronds, burned and ground, are smudged upon our brows. Every human triumph is reduced to ashes, every human tyranny crushed, every human creature returned to dust. This will be the end of all of us.

And this is our beginning. A season of lengthening days, the gift of time stretching toward life. Time to prepare to be born anew by water and the Spirit. Time to practice the way of Jesus, to tend the earth, to remember the poor, to do the things that make for peace. Time to turn and return to God who is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. This is our beginning and our end.

(Susan R. Briehl, Worship Guidebook for Lent and the Three Days)