Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Ash Wednesday
“Remember, you are dust; to dust, you shall return.” As their source, these words have God speaking them over Adam and Eve as they exited the Garden.
If you dare to participate in an Ash Wednesday Service, you will hear those words spoken over you as you are marked with a cross. I say courage because it takes a certain amount of audacity to come to a worship service where you are reminded of your mortality.
Ash Wednesday leads us into Lent. Lent is not in the bible, but Lent’s theme as a season of dedication and self-reflection is found throughout scripture. Moses fasted for 40 days when he talked with God on Mount Sinai. The prophet Elijah fasted for 40 days on his journey to meet God at Horeb. After his baptism by John the Baptist in the Jordan River, Jesus was led into the wilderness where for 40 days, he was tempted to become something other than what his heavenly Father intended.
On Ash Wednesday, we are marked with ashes that remind us that we bear the burden of death.
The mark of ashes takes on the form of the cross, and the cross reminds us that we are infinitely more valuable than dust. Our dust has been infused with the breath of God - the death-defying breath of God. Being marked with the cross is a reminder that nothing - not even death - can separate us from the love of God.
We are finite but loved infinitely by God, who makes new life out of ashes.
Jamey
(Music performed by the Modern Worship Team of Gainesville First United Methodist Church, Gainesville, Georgia)
Wednesday, February 22 / 12 pm Chapel & 6 pm Sanctuary & live streaming
Join us on Ash Wednesday to mark the beginning of this Lenten journey through scripture, prayer, and song. You will have an opportunity to receive the imposition of ashes as a reminder of our mortality and the hope for new life.
Marked by the ashes of repentance, we start Lent with a renewed focus on Jesus and on being intentional about faithfully living as Christ would have us live.
Ash Wednesday service times:
12pm in the Chapel - Lunch afterward, Menu: Broccoli Cheddar or Creamy Tomato Basil soup, turkey & Swiss sandwich on croissant roll, fruit cup, chips, and chocolate chip cookies. The cost is $5. Reservations are not required but are appreciated. Contact Mildred Smith in the church office at 770-536-2341.
6 pm in the Sanctuary & live streaming (Childcare available for pre-k age and younger.)
Wednesday, February 22 / 12-1 pm / Gainesville Square Green Space
Receive the image of the cross on your forehead as a reminder of the hope of new life found in Christ. Ashes to Go is brought to you by the Gainesville area United Methodist Churches.