Ash Wednesday Service

Ash Wednesday is March 6th at 7:00 PM and will follow a format similar to previous years: there’s a time to receive the ashes, Communion, and an anointing.

Lent is a season of fasting, but we want to make sure our fasting is true and right (see Isaiah 58). As such, our Ash Wednesday will have three occa-sions where we may come before the altar. First, we may come to receive the ashes for we are sinners, the sin is the penalty for death, and that sin led the Son of God to the Cross. It will be a time for somber reflection.


Then, we may come forward to partake of Holy Communion where we remember that the penalty for our sin has been paid, there is a remedy, and we are called to receive that gift.


Lastly, we may come to receive anointing. Ash Wednesday marks the start of a penitential time in the life of the Church, but we are going to fulfill Jesus’ command in Matthew 6:16-18. We are not going to show the world a disfigure face. We are going forth under the anointing of God, showing forth the glow of His Holy Spirit, and allow the joy of the Lord to be our guide and fulfillment even while we commit to fast and pray.


Payne Chapel will join us once again this year with Rev. Vanessa R. Cummings sharing the message for the evening.


Matthew 6: Fasting
16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.