Lake Avenue Church: In Dust and Ashes

Ash Wednesday is a Christian holy day that has been honored by Christians for well over ten centuries. It falls at the beginning of Lent, a six-week season of preparation for Easter. In the earliest centuries, Christians who had been stuck in persistent sin had ashes sprinkled on their bodies as a sign of repentance, even as Job repented “in dust and ashes” (Job 42:6 ). Around the tenth century, all believers began to signify their need for repentance by having ashes placed on their foreheads in the shape of a cross. Notice that even this very sign of sinfulness hinted at the good news yet to come through its shape. Ash Wednesday is not some dour, depressing holy day because it symbolically anticipates Good Friday and Easter.

I have come to greatly anticipate Ash Wednesday at Lake. It is a time in which we pause and reflect on the Lenten season. It is a time in which I, with my church family, come in deep contact with my humanness and the need I have for repentance. It sets us up for the Easter season in beautiful ways. It is truly one of my favorite evenings of the year as we together declare our need for forgiveness and a Savior.

Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 7:00 pm, FL 300 (Warehouse)

Join the LAC family as we mark the start of the Lenten season with a time of reflection, confession and worship. Questions? Contact Dorothy at dorothyw@lakeave.org or (626) 817-4832.

For more details about the Ash Wednesday service visit http://www.lakeave.org.