Wednesday, February 13, is Ash Wednesday.  Church of the Messiah will be celebrating Ash Wednesday at 7pm in the Sam R. Marks Chapel at Jacksonville University.  The service will include the Litany of Penitence, Imposition of Ashes, and Holy Eucharist.

Ash Wednesday is the traditional start of the season of Lent, the forty days of prayer and fasting which both commemorates Our Lord’s forty days in the wilderness and helps Christians prepare for the celebration of the Resurrection of Our Lord on Easter.  Ash Wednesday is an especially beneficial way to begin Lent for a number of reasons.  First, the Litany of Penitence reminds us how “we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”  (Romans 3:23)  Second, the Imposition of Ashes reminds us of the inevitability of our own death, judgement and the need to repent.  Third, in the Holy Eucharist we have the opportunity to exchange our failings and sinfulness with the victory and sinlessness of Our Lord Jesus Christ so that we can, by His grace and mercy, overcome our sins.

This Wednesday, we invite you to join us at 7pm in the Sam R. Marks Chapel as Church of the Messiah begins their observance of a Holy Lent with the annual celebration of Ash Wednesday.

Lord, Have Mercy!
Christ, Have Mercy!
Lord, Have Mercy!