Atonement 12 pm service with imposing of ashes.
Join:
1) In-person “in the pews”
2) Or through our virtual ZOOM connection. Use the link below from your computer, tablet or smartphone and see and hear the church service:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2533027083 Password is: 531842
Piedmont Valley 6:30 pm service with imposing of ashes.
Join:
1) In-person “in the pews”
2) Parking Lot FM connection. Drive into the parking lot and connect your radio to 99.3 FM.
3) Or through our virtual ZOOM connection. Use the link below from your computer, tablet or smartphone and see and hear the church service:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83986971384 Password is: 737879
Ash Wednesday
Some background information
This holiday (holy day) has been observed by Christians for over one
thousand years. Ash Wednesday is considered to be the first day of
the season of Lent (40 days before Easter).
• Why ashes, why a cross?
For centuries, ashes have symbolized mourning and repentance in
Judeo-Christian culture. While the practice of Ash Wednesday is not
necessarily biblical, ashes certainly are. (2 Samuel 13:19; Esther 4:1;
Job 2:8; Daniel 9:3; and Matthew 11:21). We place ashes on our fore-
heads in the sign of a cross as a way of remembering our mortality,
our need for forgiveness, but also the love and salvation that is given
to us by Christ’s dying on the cross.
A cross of ashes signifies both your ailment and your cure.
• Why do we say: “You are dust and to dust you shall return”?
These words were spoken to Adam after humans committed their
first sin (Genesis 3:19). They stand as a reminder that God is God and
we are not. They also remind us that our time on earth is finite. Our
hope is that these words will not leave you depressed, but relieved as
you remember that God is in control of your life, not you.
In a nutshell: Don’t take yourself too darn seriously.
• Isn’t this a bit morbid?
Kind of, yes. But we believe that the more we embrace our mortality
and imperfection, the less we will be afraid of it. What allows us to
stare death in the face without fear is the assurance Christ gives us of
eternal life.