Ash Wednesday Service, 7pm February 22, 2012

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent. Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline.

Ash Wednesday emphasizes two themes: our sinfulness before God and our human mortality. The service focuses on both themes, helping us to realize that both have been triumphed through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

During some Ash Wednesday services, the minister will lightly rub the sign of the cross with ashes onto the foreheads of worshipers. The use of ashes as a sign of mortality and repentance has a long history in Jewish and Christian worship. Historically, ashes signified purification and sorrow for sins.

Ash Wednesday Service will be held this year at Butler UMC. The time will be 7pm. This is a service of Ashes and Communion and gives one the opportunity to repent and to celebrate the “Great Thanksgiving” with our Lord”