The forty days of Lent begin with Ash Wednesday.  This is a day that is set aside for prayer, fasting, and spiritual relfection.  Many EA congregations celebrate Ash Wednesday, but their observances are as unique as the congregations that make up the Evangelical Association.

"As a usual sign of repentance, worshippers on Ash Wednesday have often experienced what is called "the imposition of ashes" - a cross of ashes applied to their foreheads as a sign of their desire to repent," notes Rev. Jeff Siems, pastor of Bethel St. Paul Church in Louisville, KY.  "A year ago on Ash Wednesday, I challenged worshippers to write their "signature sins" (those sins that are repeated continously) on a piece of paper and then "impale" that list on a spike on the cross.  As a more demonstrative sign of repentance, participants were given the option of wearing a small wodden cross around their neck throughout the forty days of Lent, removing them ONLY at the close of Lent on the Saturday night before Palm Sunday.  This practice will be repeated again this year."

Rev.  Dr. Terry Downin reports that his church, Jerusalem Church in New Philadelphia, OH will once again hold their traditional Private Service of Worship in Prayer with Holy Communion.  The church is open on Ash Wednesday from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. so that members can come and go as their schedule permits.  Participants take part in a time of private prayer, Scripture reading, the imposition of ashes and Holy Communion.

Members of Cross Community Church in Berne, IN also celebrate Holy Communion as part of their Ash Wednesday observance.  Prior to the evening service, the church will host the first of their Wednesday evening suppers in conjunction with weekly evening Lenten services.  Rev. Randy Luther, the church's pastor, notes that the Ash Wednesday service will also begin a six week message series entitled, "Walking To..." that will feature a pulpit exchange of area EA pastors who will help lead worship at the Berne congregation.  Other EA pastors taking part will be Rev. Ed Briggeman of Emanuel's Christian Church, New Bavaria, OH, Rev. Dr. Gene Bell of First Reformed Church, Bluffton, IN and Rev. Ron Shifley of Merge: a Living Faith Christian Community from Spencerville, OH. 

Other churches that celebrate Holy Communion on Ash Wednesday include First Congregational Church in Bureau, IL, pastored by Rev. Jack Stites,  St. Paul Evangelical & Reformed Church in Piqua, OH, pastored by Rev. Frank Sapp, Sr. and Rev. Meg Carnahan and  St. John's Evangelical Protestant Church in Cullman, AL.  The Alabama church hosts both a mid-day and an evening service on Ash Wednesday.  Both services include a celebration of the Lord's Supper along with the imposition of ashes at the conclusion of the service.  "The ashes come from the palm branches of the previous Palm Sunday that were burned and readied for the service."  The church is pastored by Rev. Bob Kurtz and Rev. John Richter.

Bethesda Evangelical Church in St. Louis, MO also holds two identical Ash Wednesday services: one at 11:30 a.m. and a second service at 7:00 p.m.  Ash Wednesday kicks off a 6-week noon time series of Lenten Devotional services about a half hour in length that will focus on the theme "Images of the Cross."  Each service will be followed by a fellowship lunch. The church is pastored by Rev. Jim Barnes and Rev. Mark Stehlin.

Rev. Ron Shifley, pastor of Merge: a Living Faith Christian Community, an EA new church start under re-development in Spencerville, OH, notes that their infant community held their first Ash Wednesday service last year featuring the imposition of ashes.  In addition to the evening service, Rev. Shifley offered members weekly, multi-media, online Lenten devotionals starting with Ash Wednesday to help deepen their spiritual walk throughout the Lenten season.  That online ministry will continue this year.

Finally, St. John's Reformed Church in Sinking Spring, PA  plans to use their Ash Wednesday observance to make a global impact.  The congregation plans to take up a special offering on Ash Wednesday that will be used for relief and development in Haiti in response to the devastating earthquake that rocked the island nation last month.  Rev. Robert Ziehmer serves as the church's pastor.

Editor's Note: These are just a few of the ways that Evangelical Association churches from around the country are honoring Christ's love and sacrifice on Ash Wednesday.  Does your church provide a special worship experience on Ash Wednesday?  Take a moment to share how your church uses Ash Wednesday to help draw you closer to the cross and the love of Jesus Christ our Lord by posting a response on our Community Forum.