Greetings to all!
Today is Ash Wednesday, the traditional beginning of Lent.
Thomas Long shares an Ash Wednesday experience.
On Ash Wednesday several years ago, one of my friends, a
hospital chaplain, left the hospital shortly before noon and
attended a service at a nearby church. As a part of the worship,
the minister inscribed on my friend's forehead a cross made of
ashes mingled with oil. He returned to the hospital, ashes still
in place, and began to visit the patients. One of the patients
noticed the ashes on his forehead and, thinking it was a smudge
of dirt, grabbed a tissue and said, "Come here, hon, you've gotten
into something."
My friend artfully avoided the tissue and said, "No, they are
ashes. They're supposed to be there." She looked at him,
puzzled. He began to talk with her about the meaning of Ash
Wednesday, how the day meant that God was with us when
we were weak and vulnerable, how we were but dust, ashes,
and God was with us, taking us toward Easter even when life
was broken, tragic, and sad.
The woman thought for a moment, and then she said, "I think
I want some of that." My friend slowly reached to his forehead,
borrowed some of the ashen smudge, and with his finger
traced on her forehead the sign of the cross."
(from Testimony: Talking Ourselves into Being Christian)
Ash Wednesday worship opportunities around town are many
including a service at 6:30pm, at Pax Christi Catholic Church
(corner of Victoria Way and Man-O-War Blvd, just east of
Nicholasville Rd). This service will bring together traditional
liturgy and contemporary "praise-style" music.
The scripture readings for Sunday, February 17, the First
Sunday in Lent:
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Romans 10:8-13
Mark 1:9 -13
Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, February 17,
with the conclusion of our series, "Proof of Heaven." This
Sunday's conversation will focus around ideas presented by
John Shelby Spong in his book, Eternal Life - A New Vision.
Scout Sunday will be observed at Walnut Hill this Sunday,
February 17. Activities will include a Scout flag ceremony at
10:30am and presentations by scouts during worship.
Exploring Our Spirituality (EOS) small groups begin meeting
next week. Groups will be meeting on Sunday and Monday
evenings and Thursday morning. Use reply email to sign up
for any of these small groups.
Peace to all.
Mike Ward
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