Ash Wednesday Worship Service

Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 7:00pm

Holy Communion

Imposition of Ashes

During the Ash Wednesday worship service we will be offering Holy Communion in the pews, a children’s sermon, and you can receive ashes on your forehead, back of your hand, or not receive ashes at all.

The worship service is hybrid (in-person and YouTube live stream)

Ashes on Ash Wednesday

There were two primary reasons for using ashes on Ash Wednesday. The first is that Ash Wednesday is the beginning of 40 days of fasting during Lent. These 40 days are based on Jesus being tempted by the devil in the wilderness for 40 days before beginning his ministry (Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, & Luke 4:1-12). The season of Lent is a penitential season where we reflect on our sinfulness that led to the cross, and how we did not fully live up to our cheers of praise and promises to follow Christ when we waved the Palm Sunday branches.

The second reason is that of the symbolism of Adam and Eve being kicked out of the Garden of Eden when they sinned (Genesis 3). After that sin they became mortal and now would die and become dust, just as we will become dust. As the palm branches become dust, so too will we. As Paul writes, Jesus is the second Adam who returns us to immortality through his death on the cross to atone for our sins. The use of ashes is therefore a form of public penance - publicly showing that we acknowledge that we are sinful people in need of forgiveness through divine intervention. Fasting is an aspect of this penance, and continues throughout the 40 days of Lent. Penance itself continues until Maundy Thursday (the Thursday before Easter), when Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion) and then was arrested, then was crucified the next day on Good Friday, taking upon himself our sin.

For a more detailed description, click on this Why Ashes on Ash Wednesday link.