Happy Ash Wednesday folks!

Now when is the last time that you were wished a “Happy Ash Wednesday?”

Although the day has long been a part of the fabric of the Church Year of the Christian church around the globe, it hasn’t caught on with the greeting card industry. I’m sure someone, somewhere, is making a card with Ash Wednesday cheer but let’s face it - it is a day when we remember that we are dust and to dust we shall all return. It is hard to break out the cheer when we face the reality that we are fragile and mortal.

With the mark of a cross made of ashes, we begin the season of Lent today. At St. James Lutheran, we offer two worships for the imposition of ashes and holy communion- noon and 7:30 p.m. Today also begins the daily devotional online series that I wrote. If you haven’t signed up CLICK HERE. You will get an email early tomorrow morning with a brief devotional, prayer, and a question to provoke thought. It continues throughout the season of Lent to Easter Sunday, April 12.

Back to the greeting of cheer…. Happy Ash Wednesday! I find myself excited about starting Lent today. This comes not from a morbid fascination of ashes nor does it come from denial of the day’s solemn tone. We are dust and to dust we shall return - no question about it. We are ashen creatures that are adept at making ashes of ourselves and others. But (and this is a big BUT - wink, wink), that is not the whole story of our lives. Through God’s abundant love, life emerges from ash. Ashes are the creative medium that God uses to bring about new life. By the grace of God, ashes hold great promise. And so do we - we hope the life and the promise of God - gifts given to us through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Wow! Now that is something to get excited about!

So Happy Ash Wednesday…. I look forward to seeing you in worship today and throughout this season of Lent.

In Christ’s Light,

Pastor Walt

BTW - I will be leading a Lent Bible/book discussion on the Backyard Parables devotional material on Monday evenings throughout Lent. It is at St. James at 7:00 p.m. and starts on March 2. I hope that you can join me for an evening of spiritual formation - P.W.