Preparation:
In worship area, cross and altar. Before the cross, a heat-proof trivet and a heavy metal incense burner or bowl. Matches. Small strips of paper and pencils for all participants. Have hot pads, available. (Service can be done during class or fellowship in the week preceding Ash Wednesday.)
“Ash
Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Advent
and Lent are church seasons of preparation.
During Advent, we prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus at
Christmas. During the 40 days of
Lent, we prepare our hearts for the new life Jesus brought us at Easter. In Lent, we examine our hearts and think about our actions.
We think about how we treat others and how we can serve others.
We think about God and how we can be closer to God.”
On Ash Wednesday, Christians around the world go to church for a service of penitence. Penitence is when we feel sorry for things we have done that were wrong. We don’t want to do those things again. We ask God to forgive us.
Ashes are a sign of humility and sorrow. They remind us that we are but human beings made from the dust of the earth. On Ash Wednesday, many people have the sign of the cross drawn on their foreheads in ashes. We are going to do this today.”