my first Ash Wednesday

[BabyLutheran]

Can't wait to go to my first ever Ash Wednesday service! They announced that it would be a soup and salad dinner followed by a (may not have the name correct) Holden Service. The pastor promised is to be a really nice service. We will be having a soup and service every Wednesday during Lent.

I want to go to the Shrove Tuesday pancake supper too, but I am low carbing it right now. I am tempted to go anyway. If the pancakes are blessed, maybe the carbs won't affect me.lol

[dinkime]

we always have soup before Lent services, and Advent ones as well!

[gtmyers]

Thats cool. Let us know what you think of the service. I have only been to one myself so I am looking forward to it as well.

[DaRev]

Do your churches do imposition of ashes?

[BabyLutheran]

Do your churches do imposition of ashes?
Not sure, I will ask when I go to vespers Thursday!

[maylor]

From the article:

Considering the Imposition of Ashes for Ash Wednesday

{snip}

During the last half of the 20th century, Lutherans have also begun to make use of this ancient rite, and indeed, it has been approved for use in the forthcoming Lutheran Service Book.

{snip}

However, Lutherans at the time of the Reformation did not choose to retain the Imposition of Ashes. The reasons for this are not entirely clear since there is very little written for or against this practice by Luther and his colleagues. Thus, although Lutherans began Lent with Ash Wednesday, they did not retain the use of ashes as part of their Ash Wednesday order of service.

{snip}

So what happens after you leave Ash Wednesday with those ashes on your forehead? The first thing that happens is that you go out into the world where others will see that cross on your forehead. Although reactions may vary, your silent witness has been given: you have been marked as one redeemed by Christ the crucified!

But the other thing that happens is that you will eventually go home and wash those dirty ashes off your face once and for all. And doesn't that water also become a concrete, tactile reminder of the water of your baptism, where your sins were washed away forever? God's grace abounds!


https://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=7470


It appears that Lutherans just started doing the Imposition of Ashes.

[dinkime]

Do your churches do imposition of ashes?

um, no, we do the Lutheran thing and have a potluck...

[BabyLutheran]

um, no, we do the Lutheran thing and have a potluck...
So I take it that we Lutherans don't like to impose on people?!?! lol

[BabyLutheran]

I believe this is similar to the service we will be doing, Holden Evening Prayer, I googled it.

http://www.lclark.edu/~frenz/ashwednesday.html (http://www.lclark.edu/%7Efrenz/ashwednesday.html)

[BreadAlone]

Ash Wednesday is pretty much just like all the other Lenten services, besides the special name. We don't do the ash thing. But the Catholic church down the street does!

We also have a soup and sandwich supper between the 3:45 and 6:30 services.

[DaRev]

We do imposition of ashes, but no meal on Ash Wednesday. (We do during the modweek services, though.) Many of our people fast on Ash Wednesday (no meat). Do any of y'all do that?

[MarkRohfrietsch]

We do imposition of ashes, but no meal on Ash Wednesday. (We do during the modweek services, though.) Many of our people fast on Ash Wednesday (no meat). Do any of y'all do that?

Yes, and also no food before recieving Communion, ever.

Mark

[synger]

I have fasted on Ash Wednesday a few times. Fasting can be a powerful reminder of my creature-ness and my dependence on God for everything.

[ctay]

I hope my parents church does it this year, I think my mom said for some reason they didn't do it last year. I'm going there for the lenten services anyway

[Willy]

Most ELCA churches will impose ashes--a startling reminder of our mortality. Holden Evening prayer is a beautiful evening prayer service written by Marty Haugen, originally for Holden Village in the State of Washington.

[Willy]

I appreciate Baby Lutheran's enthusiasm for the things of the faith and the church. All of our churches could use people like you.

[Zecryphon]

Not sure, I will ask when I go to vespers Thursday!
You might be interested in this:

http://zecryphon.blogspot.com/2007/02/lent.html

It's an article I wrote for my blog on Lent last year. I think it's very informative, but then of course I'm extremely biased as I'm the author.

[Aibrean]

We have a lunch and dinner with a service...not sure about ashes since this would be the first time I would have gone (if I go).

[ProdigalSeeker]

I met marty while I was at Holden last July. He's a trip. They had an auction (forgot what the cause was), he didn't have anything so he picked up a rock. It sold for $50, because it was Marty's rock.
--------------------------------------
Whoops, correction! It was Herb Brokering

[BabyLutheran]

You might be interested in this:

http://zecryphon.blogspot.com/2007/02/lent.html

It's an article I wrote for my blog on Lent last year. I think it's very informative, but then of course I'm extremely biased as I'm the author.
Just got a chance to read it, and it was really helpful

[Willy]

I met marty while I was at Holden last July. He's a trip. They had an auction (forgot what the cause was), he didn't have anything so he picked up a rock. It sold for $50, because it was Marty's rock.
--------------------------------------
Whoops, correction! It was Herb Brokering
Herb Brokering and Marty Haugen are very different people, both of them equally fascinating. How was your experience at Holden?

[ProdigalSeeker]

I absolutely loved it. There was a professor that came by from Yale who taught a session. As I lived in New Haven (or near), he and I talked about the area quite a bit.

Still keep in contact w/ my roomie - nice guy. And I told Chris (the head Waitri) you said Hi. He said you were working on a book?

Holden actually was evacuated about a month after I got there which was dissapointing, but in that month I took over 400 pictures! There was an electrical storm which caused a huge forest fire. Used the pictures for my report in a English Comp class I am taking this semester.

[Willy]

I was starting a book on country music and the church. AFter being at Holden I discovered that I needed to change the direction of my theory. Country music has changed enough over the past two decades that my discussion of its working class aesthetic needed some work. Actually, Chris was helpful in that regard. I'm waiting for my son to deliver to me a book that he gave me for Christmas--Don't Get Above Your Raisin'.

[Edial]

I was starting a book on country music and the church. AFter being at Holden I discovered that I needed to change the direction of my theory. Country music has changed enough over the past two decades that my discussion of its working class aesthetic needed some work. Actually, Chris was helpful in that regard. I'm waiting for my son to deliver to me a book that he gave me for Christmas--Don't Get Above Your Raisin'.
I did not realize you write books, or is it your first one?

If not, I would like to read one of them. I'll purchase it.

Thanks,
Ed

[Willy]

I wish I could say that I write them. This was to be my first attempt

[Willy]

I didn't finish my thought. I am waiting for this book because it may give me some new direction.

[Edial]

I wish I could say that I write them. This was to be my first attempt
Good luck.

[Zecryphon]

Just got a chance to read it, and it was really helpful
Thank you. :)

[glamourdollxoxo]

I'm excited to at my church they are doing a lenten service im not sure if they do ashes?

[Edial]

You might be interested in this:

http://zecryphon.blogspot.com/2007/02/lent.html

It's an article I wrote for my blog on Lent last year. I think it's very informative, but then of course I'm extremely biased as I'm the author.
I really like the way you write.
It is easy to read, concise and to a point.

You managed to fit the history of Lent, two thoughts of understanding, your personal preference and "what to do" during Lent (with bullet-points) in a page or two.

When I started reading it I thought "Oh, one of those long blogs which never end". I was quickly proven wrong. :)

I also read you article on Evangelism. Same crisp format.

Thanks,
Ed

[Edial]

I'm excited to at my church they are doing a lenten service im not sure if they do ashes?
I personally like ashes although I do look weird with ashes on my forehead. :)

[DaSeminarian]

Can't wait to go to my first ever Ash Wednesday service! They announced that it would be a soup and salad dinner followed by a (may not have the name correct) Holden Service. The pastor promised is to be a really nice service. We will be having a soup and service every Wednesday during Lent.

I want to go to the Shrove Tuesday pancake supper too, but I am low carbing it right now. I am tempted to go anyway. If the pancakes are blessed, maybe the carbs won't affect me.lol


This will be my second Ash Wednesday as a Seminarian. My first of applying the ashes to the forehead. God's blessings to you and welcome to the Orthodox Lutheran Church.

[gtmyers]

Just got home from Ash Wed. Service. We did imposition of ashes and the sermon was about repentance. As I entered into a pentitance attitude I realized how much sin that is in my life, so much to ask forgiveness for.
We we will be having lent services with a supper on Sunday evenings.

[BabyLutheran]

We did imposition of ashes during the prelude music. Then we had a normal service with a couple of the Holden songs thrown in. Our sermon was about Gospel reading of the day where Jesus is talking about keeping your prayer, fasting and alms giving private, and not doing it just to be seen. The sermon was titled "Objects are Closer than They Appear." Tied the sermon into the Gospel by talking about how Jesus was talking about how the kingdom of God was on earth, not just in some faraway Heaven.

I really enjoyed the service. We will be having Wednesday night services during Lent, with soup and salad supper being served beforehand.


My joy was complete when my 9 year old asked me when she could be Baptized.!!! Praise be to God.

It will be on Easter Sunday since no baptisms are done during Lent by our church.

[Melethiel]

We had soup and salad suppers on Wednesdays the past few years...I don't know why, but we're not doing it this year.

[Lupinus]

no dinner but we will be doing that for vespers the rest of lent.

Ashs were done at the end as we were leaving.

[DaRev]

My joy was complete when my 9 year old asked me when she could be Baptized.!!! Praise be to God.

That is the neatest thing!! :clap: :amen:

[BabyLutheran]

Yes, and I started a separate thread to tell everyone, since I am so proud and excited!

I did have a question about tonight: I went to the baptismal bowl to touch my fingers in the water and cross myself, and it was dry. The Paschal candle was also not lit.

Was this an oversight, or is it protocol not to do the remembrance of our baptism during Lent?

[gtmyers]

We did imposition of ashes during the prelude music. Then we had a normal service with a couple of the Holden songs thrown in. Our sermon was about Gospel reading of the day where Jesus is talking about keeping your prayer, fasting and alms giving private, and not doing it just to be seen. The sermon was titled "Objects are Closer than They Appear." Tied the sermon into the Gospel by talking about how Jesus was talking about how the kingdom of God was on earth, not just in some faraway Heaven.

I really enjoyed the service. We will be having Wednesday night services during Lent, with soup and salad supper being served beforehand.


My joy was complete when my 9 year old asked me when she could be Baptized.!!! Praise be to God.

It will be on Easter Sunday since no baptisms are done during Lent by our church.
Amen! Thanks be to God. I am so glad that she asked when she can be baptized!

[DaRev]

The Paschal candle is normally lit during the Sundays of the Christmas and Easter seasons, on Good Friday for the Tenebrae service, and when there is a Baptism. Lent is a somber season of penitence and so the Paschal candle would not be lit in Lent.

As for the baptismal font, that's up to the local congregational custom.

[porterross]

We also had the imposition of ashes and Holy Communion. It was a wonderful way to start Lent.

[DaRev]

We even had a few folks who came to the noon service come to the 7pm service as well so they could have Communion.

[Aibrean]

We have imposition at our church too. If it wasn't so far away from my work I might have gone.

There was one girl at my work that noticed a coworker come in and was like "hey...you got dirt on your face."

:D

[MarkRohfrietsch]

Sleet, freezing rain, snow, wind. We (Pastor, myself, and another Elder) canceled because no one else came.:sigh:

Mark

[Zecryphon]

I really like the way you write.
It is easy to read, concise and to a point.

You managed to fit the history of Lent, two thoughts of understanding, your personal preference and "what to do" during Lent (with bullet-points) in a page or two.

When I started reading it I thought "Oh, one of those long blogs which never end". I was quickly proven wrong. :)

I also read you article on Evangelism. Same crisp format.

Thanks,
Ed
Wow. A fan! LOL Now that I know I have at least one I'll have to start posting at that blog again. I stopped cuz it seemed like I was just writing for myself and no one was really stopping by to comment. Thank you for your kind words. If you haven't read the two-part post entitled Confession of a False Convert, I urge you and everyone else to read it. It's easily my most personal entry and the hardest one I ever wrote.

[BabyLutheran]

It was nice to take communion on a Wednesday!

Our pastor also explained how the ashes were made at our church. They didn't use palm leaves from last Palm Sunday, they used the Christmas greenery we had during Advent!

I am so glad I am Lutheran, I missed out on Lent for 46 years, and I want to make up for lost time.

Pastor Chris is giving up coffee for Lent. That is a tough one for him, he said he drinks a pot a day normally.

I am still contemplating what to do for Lent.

[Melethiel]

I love Lent. By the time it rolls around, I really need it...

[ctay]

I love Lent too. The pastor gave a really good sermon last night. Glad to be able to take communion on a wednesday night too

[porterross]

Sleet, freezing rain, snow, wind. We (Pastor, myself, and another Elder) canceled because no one else came.:sigh:

Mark


That's a real shame. We even ran out of wine during Communion and had to wait for more to be consecrated, which slowed everything down a bit, but that was a good problem!:clap:

I wonder how much Huckabee's influence is having on folks here this year? It's not common for faith to have so much focus during the primaries, but it sure is nice. :thumbsup:

[Edial]

Sleet, freezing rain, snow, wind. We (Pastor, myself, and another Elder) canceled because no one else came.:sigh:

Mark
Oh, I really feel for you.

But the hurricanes that we saw really appear to have messed up the weather throughout the country.

In NYC it is cool spring and we still did not have snow this year, just some light flurries.

[Aibrean]

It was nice to take communion on a Wednesday!

Our pastor also explained how the ashes were made at our church. They didn't use palm leaves from last Palm Sunday, they used the Christmas greenery we had during Advent!

I am so glad I am Lutheran, I missed out on Lent for 46 years, and I want to make up for lost time.

Pastor Chris is giving up coffee for Lent. That is a tough one for him, he said he drinks a pot a day normally.

I am still contemplating what to do for Lent.

I completely understand how you feel coming from a non-denom background. It's such a humbling time and I don't see why other denominations don't do it.

I'm giving up soda pop :) It's like a dessert for me (and actually when we as kids went to my grandparents house it was served as dessert with ice cream.

[Edial]

We had the imposition of ashes and the communion done at the same time, at the rails.

We are a small congregation and had no soup and salad.

However, our Pastor did a great first person sermon on Barrabas and his perspective how Christ died for him, so he was set free.

Pastor was dressed in the garbs that were worn at the times. It was really good.
People abstained from applauding since it was Lent, but they wanted too.
And we usually applaud very rarely after a sermon.
I just seen it twice.

It was a good night.

[Edial]

It was nice to take communion on a Wednesday!

Our pastor also explained how the ashes were made at our church. They didn't use palm leaves from last Palm Sunday, they used the Christmas greenery we had during Advent!

I am so glad I am Lutheran, I missed out on Lent for 46 years, and I want to make up for lost time.

...
Good for you.

[BabyLutheran]

We had the imposition of ashes and the communion done at the same time, at the rails.

We are a small congregation and had no soup and salad.

However, our Pastor did a great first person sermon on Barrabas and his perspective how Christ died for him, so he was set free.

Pastor was dressed in the garbs that were worn at the times. It was really good.
People abstained from applauding since it was Lent, but they wanted too.
And we usually applaud very rarely after a sermon.
I just seen it twice.

It was a good night.
Sounds like it was a very nice setting and service.

Our pastors wore lavender sashes? or whatever-their-called? over their robes. It was a really pretty color. The banners on the cross and the lecterns(?) were also changed out to be Lenten.

[Edial]

Sounds like it was a very nice setting and service.

Our pastors wore lavender sashes? or whatever-their-called? over their robes. It was a really pretty color. The banners on the cross and the lecterns(?) were also changed out to be Lenten.
Yes, same here.

It took him some time to put on and remove these Barabbas garbs ... but everything went on smoothly. :)

[DaRev]

Our pastors wore lavender sashes?

Lavender?? Why on earth did they wear lavender? :scratch:

[BabyLutheran]

Well the sashes weren't entirely lavender, the just had lavender sections. I am trying to remember what was on them. I do recall a cross on them, maybe red in color...

if I knew what they were called maybe I could find one online to post a picture of

[Edial]

Well the sashes weren't entirely lavender, the just had lavender sections. I am trying to remember what was on them. I do recall a cross on them, maybe red in color...

if I knew what they were called maybe I could find one online to post a picture of
I just called my Pastor ... it was purple.

[DaRev]

Well the sashes weren't entirely lavender, the just had lavender sections. I am trying to remember what was on them. I do recall a cross on them, maybe red in color...

if I knew what they were called maybe I could find one online to post a picture of

Was it a stole?

A pastor's stole is worn around the neck and down the front.
http://www.matthewfsheehan.net/DisplayPages/Products/ProductImages/en_WO7049-OVERLAY-STOLE-GOLD-J.jpg

A deacon's stole is worn across the chest.
http://www.matthewfsheehan.net/DisplayPages/Products/ProductImages/en_T7049-DEACON-STOLE-GOLD-JUB.jpg


Or perhaps it could have been a "band cincture" that is worn around the waist.
http://www.matthewfsheehan.net/DisplayPages/Products/ProductImages/en_3RJT_Blt1hr.jpg

[BabyLutheran]

Lavender?? Why on earth did they wear lavender? :scratch:
PURPLE. This color is symbolic both of penitence and royalty. It is used throughout Lent, on Holy Saturday, and is the alternate color for Advent. Rose may be used on the third Sunday of Advent, the fourth Sunday of Lent, and as an alternate for the feasts of Mary.


From the following website


http://www.egrace.org/being_lutheran.htm

I believe our pastor "stoles" were perhaps made by the ladies sewing ministry. They make all of the different banners and things at our church.

[DaRev]

PURPLE.

Purple is much different than lavender.

Our paraments were black for Ash Wednesday, but I wore the purple stole and chausable since I do not own black ones.

[BabyLutheran]

Yeah, I am a typical male, tried to use a fancy term for purple. I though lavender and purple were the same color! ha

It sounds much more Lentenish to say lavender. Purple is so blah sounding

[Edial]

Purple is much different than lavender.

...
Not to my eyes. :)

I have scheduled to have a follow up cornea surgery on one of them. The first one was not successful. :D :)

[Melethiel]

Yeah, I am a typical male, tried to use a fancy term for purple. I though lavender and purple were the same color! ha

It sounds much more Lentenish to say lavender. Purple is so blah sounding
The two are very different. Lavender is a pale purple - very distinctive. Lenten stuff is deep purple, for royalty.

[gtmyers]

Our paraments were black. The cross was draped in black with a black cloth over the cross the crucfier carried in.

[mirla]

Our service was cancelled due to weather. The Soup-Supper has been moved to a Soup-Lunch on Sunday.

I normally don't do anything special for Lent beside attend some Wednesday services. Pastor suggested we read some extra Bible passages each day, so that's what I'm going to do.

[RevCowboy]

Our service was cancelled due to weather. The Soup-Supper has been moved to a Soup-Lunch on Sunday.

I normally don't do anything special for Lent beside attend some Wednesday services. Pastor suggested we read some extra Bible passages each day, so that's what I'm going to do.


I think taking on a discipline for Lent is just as good or better than giving something up. Its also kind of neat to take something on. Lost of people tithe every week during lent for example.