Wednesday, February 18 @ 6 pm

All Ages Encouraged and Welcomed

Ash Wednesday in the UMC marks the beginning of Lent, the 40-day season (not counting Sundays) that prepares us for Easter through repentance, prayer, fasting, and works of mercy.

At its heart, Ash Wednesday holds together two truths:

1. We are mortal and finite

   “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” (Genesis 3:19)

2. We are invited into God’s mercy and transformation
   Lent is not about shame—it’s about honest self-examination and turning again toward God (repentance in the biblical sense of metanoia, a change of heart and direction).

In the UMC, repentance is always held alongside grace. We do not repent to earn God’s love; we repent because God already loves us.

The Imposition of Ashes

In this service you may receive ashes in the sign of the cross on the forehead (or sometimes on the hand). The ashes are traditionally made from the burned palms of the previous year’s Palm Sunday, tying celebration and confession together.