Ash Wednesday Service

Wednesday, February 14th at 11:30 am
in the Church of St Paul, Barriere

The liturgical season of Lent precedes Easter.  It begins forty days before Easter excluding the six Sundays that occur prior to Easter Sunday in that Sundays are often considered to be “little” Easters.  The first day of Lent is Ash Wednesday.

The North Thompson Ecumenical Shared Ministry will hold an Ash Wednesday Service at 11:30 am on February 14th at the Church of St Paul in Barriere.  This service will include the Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion.  Traditionally, the ashes are from burning the palms that were used on the preceding year’s Palm Sunday.  The ashes are most often placed in the sign of the cross on the forehead as a mark of repentance.

Lent is a time of reflection and penitence.  Some mark this season with specific spiritual practices such as having a daily devotional time, giving something up, abstaining from a particular activity, or taking on a new attitude or practice.  In some congregations, the “alleluias” are “put away” by selecting hymns that don’t include “alleluia”.

The liturgical colour of Lent is purple.  Linens (altar cloths) and hangings on pulpits and lecterns get changed to purple.  The stoles and vestments worn by clergy will have a purple background.  Banners will incorporate designs and motifs to remind people of Christ’s passion and that this time of reflection leads to the crucifixion of Jesus.

May all Lenten journeys be blessed!