Ash Wednesday is this coming Wednesday, February 18th. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. Forty days to fast and focus on Christ. I never practiced or even heard of Ash Wednesday until I was in college. I went to college in Southeast Missouri. Missouri has a large population of German heritage and, therefore, a large Lutheran population. In my freshman year, people kept walking around with a smudge on their foreheads. When I mentioned it, they looked at me like I was dumb and said, “It’s Ash Wednesday.”
Not every tradition observes this date in the liturgical calendar. Methodists, Lutherans, Episcopalians, and Catholics typically observe it. I looked it up, and this goes back to the 11th century. The practice of placing ashes on the forehead to remind you of your mortality dates back to that date. Otherwise, the tradition of fasting goes back to the 4/5th centuries. When you fast, remember you are connecting with a centuries-old tradition. My question to you- why do you fast? And what does it mean to you? How will you put your focus on Christ this season?
Ash Wednesday service will be at 5 pm. It will be short.
What I see coming up:
Feb. 18- Ash Wednesday Service
Feb. 25- Adam Hamilton to speak about his new book “Why Did Jesus Have to Die” at Faith UMC in Tulsa. 6 pm. ( I have heard a rumor they will have the book available there)
Shalom,
Pastor Stacy
