Our church offered a drive-thru, what they termed, “Imposition of Ashes”. Because our church is still closed due to the pandemic this was offered to the congregation (and community) as the start of the Lenten season. You simply drove up to the church entrance. Our pastor met us at our car, applied the ashes, and sent us on our way with this scripture and prayer.
Psalm 51:10-12
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
O God, Give me stillness to recognize your presence. Give me quiet to hear your voice. Holy Spirit, I ask you to fill my heart with your peace, your love and your ways. Restore me and my spirit with Your strength to turn and follow you. Amen.
As our pastor marked our foreheads with the ashes he said, in part, “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return. Now turn and follow Jesus.”
Amen.
What a beautiful hand-carved cross. And what an innovative way to mark Ash Wednesday.
I just heard those “to dust you shall return” words at my father-in-law’s funeral last Thursday.
Emmaus Church did come up with a good idea – as an outreach to the community too.
We find a way, don’t way, to continue to do what we value in our lives, even during this pandemic. I am so glad you were able to partake in this ritual that means so much to you. Rituals, particularly religious ones, help us define our lives. Thanks for sharing!
You are right Sheri, we continually find ways to cope in this pandemic.