We have marred baptismal pledges,
in rebellion gone astray;
now, returning, seek forgiveness;
grant us pardon, God, this day!

ASH WEDNESDAY emphasizes a dual encounter:
a confrontation of our own mortality and confession of our sin
before God within the community of Faith.

It is traditional to burn palm branches from the previous
Palm Sunday service to produce the ashes for this service.

We have failed to love to love our neighbours,
their offences to forgive,
have not listened to their troubles,
nor have cared just how they live,
we are jealous, proud, impatient,
loving overmuch our things;
may the yielding of our failings
be our Lenten offerings.


The ashes are mixed with oil.

Ashes are a sign of mortality,
and oil is an ancient symbol of healing.

We hare hasty to judge others,
blind to proof of human need;
and our lack of understanding
demostrates our inner greed;
we have wasted earth's resources;
want and suff'ring we've ignored;
come and cleansed us, then restore us;
make new hearts with us, Lord!

God always wants to forgive and heal us,
hence,
this is a time to ask God to help us change from doing things that are wrong,
to doing things that are right in His sight,
and also to remember how each and every believer is forgiven.


Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.


But always remember,
spirituality, religion & belief are in different spheres.

Once an attempt is made to infuse them together,
all hell will break lose.

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God i love;
Here's my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for thy courts above.