Ash Wednesday
This is the day that Lent begins. A day of reflection and pause for all of us to stop and think about the things that we want to change and the places we want to transform our lives. The ashes that we use are made from the palms from last year’s Palm Sunday services. The ashes symbolize the death and burial of old things, the thing we want to be rid of, and the beginnings of our journey toward Easter and our Baptismal renewal.
This is the day that Lent begins. A day of reflection and pause for all of us to stop and think about the things that we want to change and the places we want to transform our lives. The ashes that we use are made from the palms from last year’s Palm Sunday services. The ashes symbolize the death and burial of old things, the thing we want to be rid of, and the beginnings of our journey toward Easter and our Baptismal renewal.
Family Ash Wednesday Ritual
Have your family gather together and give them pieces of paper. Have them each write or draw something that they would like to change, something they would like to do differently, or something that they would like to take on in their Lenten journey. After each person has had the chance to finish, fold the papers up and burn them together in a safe place. As they are burning, read the following prayer:
Gracious God, as we light this fire we offer ourselves to you.
Be with us this season of Lent as we journey toward you.
Help us to release things that get in the way or things we want to change.
Help us also to see new things that will draw us closer to you. Amen.
