Rev. Saunda Thomas places ashes on her husband Rev. Steven Thomas Jason’s head.
(Cazenovia, NY – Feb. 2013) The First Presbyterian Church of Cazenovia, in conjunction with the Morrisville Community Church, will hold a Service of Divine Worship Ash Wednesday, Feb. 13, at 7:30 p.m. The service will include readings from the Old and New Testaments, the Imposition of Ashes, a Responsive Litany of Penitence and a Lord’s Prayer Litany.
A mediation will be given by Rev. Saunda Thomas, pastor of the Morrisville Community Church.
Combined choirs from Cazenovia and Morrisville will sing the anthem God So Loved The World by Sir John Stainer (1840-1901). Catharine Wheat, director of music for the Cazenovia church, will lead the choirs and accompany them on the organ.
A fully staffed nursery will be available for infants, toddlers and pre-school children.
In Western Christianity, Ash Wednesday marks the first day, or the start of the season, of Lent, which begins 40 days prior to Easter (Sundays are not included in the count). Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline.
The name “Ash Wednesday” is derived from the custom of marking foreheads of the faithful with blessed ashes as a sign of penitence and humility. The Lenten season has been a time for self-examination and penitence prior to Easter for many centuries. The Lenten season comes from the Saxon lengten-tide, referring to the days and the coming of spring in the northern hemisphere.
This 40-day period of abstinence recalls the fasts of Moses, Elijah and Jesus, all of whom fasted for 40 days according to the Christian scripture.
Ashes were used in ancient times, according to the Bible, to express mourning. Dusting oneself with ashes was the penitent’s way of expressing sorrow for sins and faults. The ashes that are used on Ash Wednesday usually come from the remains of burned palms that were blessed on the previous year’s Palm Sunday. They symbolize death, mortality and sorrow for sin. The marking of ashes on foreheads in the form of a cross also symbolizes that sins are forgiven through Jesus’ death and resurrection.
If looking for an open and friendly place to celebrate Sunday morning worship, join the Cazenovia Presbyterian Church. The sanctuary is handicapped-accessible. Child Care and Sunday school are available during the Sunday morning service.
For more information, call 315.655.3191 or visit cazpres.org.