Ash Wednesday

[Nelson Bradford]

How do you feel about your church having a special Ash Wednesday service during Holy Week?

Where your people - born again followers of Jesus Christ - full blooded Nazarenes, bless GOD! 8-) - come forward and have ashes put/smudged on their foreheads in the sign of the cross.

Comments?

[Edith K. Thurmond]

Nelson, what is a full-blooded Nazarene?

I have never heard that term before.

Just wondering,

[Jon Twitchell]

Ash Wednesday is not part of Holy Week, it occurs roughly 47 days before Easter, at the beginning of the lenten season.

We utilize Ash Wednesday as a marvelous opportunity to remember our mortality and to engage in private and corporate confession. Some years we have had an imposition of ashes, other years we have written confessions and had them burned upon the altar.

In any case, Ash Wednesday has been a part of our local church's calendar for at least 10 years, and I believe it would continue long after this pastor is gone!

From dust you were made, to dust you shall return.

Grace and Peace,

Jon

[William Hunter]

Ray VanderLan tells us that on the road into Jerusalem the crowd waved palm branches. He tells us that on a Roman coin was the symbol of a palm branch. What was happening here was that they were again saying we want a political leader, not a Savior. The video VanderLan leads is most insightful. My crowd would not be in favor of using this symbol now since they have seen something of what its real meaning was. I try to pick up on the Lenten possibilites as a way to teach my people, but I also teach them about the meaning behind church furniture and symbols, etc. For instance, the altar as Nazarenes have them are America in origin. They come out of the camp mtg. and revival movement in the 1800's. The one piece of furnture that comes out of the Old Testament and into the early church is the Table of Sacrifice, we know it as the Communion Table. It has rich meanings and now my congregation is telling me that when they enter the worship area and see that table/altar, ithelps them begin to form an attitude of worship.

We take Communion at this Table, I perform a meaningful membership ceremony at this Table (the new member actually prints their own name on the membership list as part of the ceremony), etc. The Table is not sacred but it reprents such deep spiritual meanings if we understand what those meanings and historical insights are.

[Wilson L. Deaton]

Nelson, what is a full-blooded Nazarene?

I have never heard that term before.

Just wondering,

I can't speak for Nelson but I intuitively understand the term to be a "figure of speech" for an active loyal member who believes and fully supports Nazarene doctrine.

Wilson

[Edith K. Thurmond]

I can't speak for Nelson but I intuitively understand the term to be a "figure of speech" for an active loyal member who believes and fully supports Nazarene doctrine.

Wilson

Thanks for the explanation, Wilson. I thought it may have been that one had to come from a legacy of several generations of Nazarenes.

From listening to people in various Nazarene churches, Nazarene educational institutions and even here on NazNet, there seems to be some differences as to how Nazarene doctrine is interpreted.

Blessings to you,+

[Wilson L. Deaton]

From listening to people in various Nazarene churches, Nazarene educational institutions and even here on NazNet, there seems to be some differences as to how Nazarene doctrine is interpreted.


True! However, I think sometimes the differences appear greater than they really are because we discuss issues that are not part of "Nazarene Doctrine."

For example, we debate pre-, post-, amillenium, etc. but that is not really part of "Nazarene" doctrine.

When we limit our discussion to articles of faith the differences (which certainly exist) are greatly reduced.

Unity in essentials, freedom in non-essentials.

Wilson

[Jon Twitchell]

I'm a great fan of VanderLaan as well.

I'm not sure I immediately made the connection between your post and the topic, so I may need some help! :)

Are you saying that you wouldn't do Palm Sunday at your church? Or that you wouldn't use ashes made from palm branches? (Would you use other ashes instead)? Or are you saying that your people wouldn't be comfortable placing and burning a written confession upon the altar?

My apologies for not connecting the dots--any help would be appreciated! :)

Thanks.

Grace and Peace,

Jon
Ray VanderLan tells us that on the road into Jerusalem the crowd waved palm branches. He tells us that on a Roman coin was the symbol of a palm branch. What was happening here was that they were again saying we want a political leader, not a Savior. The video VanderLan leads is most insightful. My crowd would not be in favor of using this symbol now since they have seen something of what its real meaning was. I try to pick up on the Lenten possibilites as a way to teach my people, but I also teach them about the meaning behind church furniture and symbols, etc. For instance, the altar as Nazarenes have them are America in origin. They come out of the camp mtg. and revival movement in the 1800's. The one piece of furnture that comes out of the Old Testament and into the early church is the Table of Sacrifice, we know it as the Communion Table. It has rich meanings and now my congregation is telling me that when they enter the worship area and see that table/altar, ithelps them begin to form an attitude of worship.

We take Communion at this Table, I perform a meaningful membership ceremony at this Table (the new member actually prints their own name on the membership list as part of the ceremony), etc. The Table is not sacred but it reprents such deep spiritual meanings if we understand what those meanings and historical insights are.

[Michael R. Gentry]

Thanks for the explanation, Wilson. I thought it may have been that one had to come from a legacy of several generations of Nazarenes.

From listening to people in various Nazarene churches, Nazarene educational institutions and even here on NazNet, there seems to be some differences as to how Nazarene doctrine is interpreted.

Blessings to you,+


I thought a "full-blooded" Nazarene might be one that didn't
"Drink, smoke, or chew,
Or go out with girls that do."

[Nelson Bradford]

a) I apologize for not responding ealier
b) I'm not even sure myownself what I meant by that term but other's have said it well.
c) I have been annointed countless times - certainly more than I deserve - but not until we arrived here - and joined this church - has the annointing oil been applied in the sign of the cross.
d) I knew Ash Wednesday wasn't during Holy Week. That was a trick to see if you were paying attention.
e) SOME of the above is true.

8-)

thanx for putting up with me.

Now, I'll go where I'm more comfy - I obviously do not belong here.

Nelson

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

thanx for putting up with me.
Now, I'll go where I'm more comfy - I obviously do not belong here.
Nelson

Nelson, I wish you wouldn't say stuff like that. You often bring a very good perspective to discussions here. "Theology" means to "talk about God." I have seen you talk about God in very meaningful ways.

You belong in these discussions as much as anyone else does.

Be encouraged, brother!

[Jon Twitchell]

thanx for putting up with me.

Now, I'll go where I'm more comfy - I obviously do not belong here.

Nelson

Get back here! :) Really...

I, for one, am curious about what inspired the question, and what your thoughts are. Just because our congregation participates in some form of an Ash Wednesday service doesn't mean that I think all churches need to be just like mine...

Grace and Peace,

Jon

[William Hunter]

Jonathon, I do not focus on Palm Sunday (do not celebrate it) in the usual ways we see it done. Rather, in understanding from Vanderlan's teaching the real meaning of that day centererd around the fact that Jesus said if His disciples did not cry out about Him, the rocks would. We miss the real meanings of too many Scriptures as we see them through our Western mindsets. That is why I review again and again the tapes of Vanderlan's teachings so that I can understand the Word in the Jewish culture is was given in and its time frame. I do not have palm branches in our church on Palm Sunday, we do not use ashes, we do not have our children come and wave palm branches, etc. All that is missing what was really taking place at that event.

It reminds me of a place we served when a SS teacher was using some large blocks to have her class of children build Noah's Ark. One young girl was sitting near the window watching the huge snow flakes falling and asked her teacher when snow comes from. The teacher told her to never mind and come and get busy with the blocks. That teacher missed a wonderful moment to teach about the creativity of a gracious and caring God. We too often re focused on the wrong part of a story, a minor part at best, and assign it meaning that is not consistant with what the Word is teaching and what is really happening in a given event.

[Gerald Spear]

Just saw Senator Byden on the evening news sporting his Ash cross.

[Stephen Kerr]

Approaching this topic from a Nazarene Holiness perspective I think we might want to consider a couple of points. I personally have struggles with this one and have decided, at least this year, not to have the imposition of ashes for Ash Wednesday- even though I have changed the colors in the church to reflect the purple symbolizing the pain and suffering of our Lord for our sake.

The issue, or difficulty, is that we as Nazarene's do not necessarily focus on our selves as "sinners." Rather, we believe that it is entirely possible to have an attitude adjustment that makes us more align with Paul's designation that we are saints - holy ones- both by Christ's declaration and by our lived experience. I don't mind the idea of recognizing our mortality. I think it is altogether beneficial to reflect on Christ's sufferings for our sakes (this is the one time a year where I get a picture of a crucifix and place it prominently at eye level in my place of prayer). Also, if we use the lenten season- as the ancients who originated the practice intended- then it can be a powerfully means by which we can turn our hearts and minds to even deeper purification and grace. Often, though, Ash Wednesday only focuses on the sin aspect and forgets we do live after the death and resurrection of Christ. I understand the meaning of the Christian calendar and it has some great power when used appropriately, but, for those of us who are Nazarene's, I think we should reflect more on the grace of God to do away with the sin than to merely cry out that we are sinners. Of course, I am still working through this idea myself- what do you think?

[Kevin Rector]

...I think we should reflect more on the grace of God to do away with the sin than to merely cry out that we are sinners. Of course, I am still working through this idea myself- what do you think?

I agree with you about the possiblity that Ash Wednesday can be understood wrongly, just as all things can. The great challenge of an Ash Wednesday service for a Holiness church is exactly what you have described as we are saints not sinners. I think that is where balance is very important. I don't think we can take seriously the grace of God to save us from our sin until we take seriously the sin that we are saved from. In fact I don't even think it's healty to think of getting "saved" in a point in time so that now all the work is done. Rather it is best to think of the sin that we are constantly being saved from by the grace of God. Thinking of salvation in this way opens up Ash Wednesday to be a really powerful reminder of God's grace because it forces us to confont our inability to save ourselves and our constant need for God's ongoing grace in our lives.

It really all depends on how the pastor and ministry team handle the event whether it will be an unbalanced "you are a sinner" service or a "you are a sinner who is saved by God's grace" service.

Having said all of that, if we think of the services of the Christian year as a full community event then during the seasons of Lent and Easter taken as a whole you recieve the full gospel message. You start at Ash Wednesday focusing on your sinfulness and mortality and end with the empty tomb which is our salvation. Sometimes we fail to realize that each service in the church should hopefully build on the one's that came before which is why Easter can be much more powerful for us if we have spent the preceding 40 days contemplating our need for God.

[Stephen Kerr]

Kevin,
I pretty much agree with that assessment. Although, I don't want to be too technical- I am sure you agree with me that we should back up and begin with Advent, the birth of Christ, and then go all the way through into Pentecost to celebrate the birth of the church as well as the giving of the Spirit.

There is, of course, another point to make and that is that many in our congregations- and I am sure many pastors as well- that have not experienced the deeper blessings of the Christian life so that they are still struggling up to their necks with sin on a regular and habitual basis. If that is taken into consideration does it change our view of Ash Wednesday to the focus on "us sinners" and away from the saints idea?

[Jon Twitchell]

This year I used Ash Wednesday primarily to remind us that without God's sustaining grace, we are nothing but dust and ashes. In that sense, the entire service was really about God's Grace. We were reminded that we are dependant upon God's Grace for our life, our forgiveness, and even our knowledge that we need to be forgiven.

Yes, Ash Wednesday is just one part of the story--but the sinful condition of humanity is part of the story, and a great opportunity for sinners and saints alike to allow God to examine themselves and see if there be any wicked way within them.

In our service, we have time for corporate confession (using the "Litany for Corporate Confession" from the Book of Common Prayer). However, I also create time for individual prayer and confession, and then the assurance that "if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." We conclude with a celebration of that forgiveness around the Table--being reminded that just as we will wash our foreheads clean before we go to bed, God can and does wash our hearts with His blood--cleansing us from all unrighteousness.

It works well within our community of faith, and I believe it fits well within our understanding of Grace and Holiness.

Grace and Peace,

Jon

[Scott Daniels]

I addition to Ash Wednesday, I have led our congregation through Wesley's Covenant service at the start of the new calendar year. I took Wesley's service and updated the language but kept the core ideas in tact. Everytime I lead the church through that service the response is the same - Wesley cannot stop talking about and confessing sin in that service.

Perhaps what makes us saints and fully aware of God's transforming grace is our keen awareness of our sin. And not just the "up to the neck" sins of habitual brokenness, but the subtle forms of pride, self-reliance, and self-deception that plague us all.

Maybe we need Ash Wednesday to remember that our strength is found in weakness, our pride is in the humility of the cross, and our holiness is discovered in vulnerability and confession.

[Bruce Carriker]

Thank you, Scott.

[Marsha Gupton]

I have shared this on naznet before and I'll share it again. My church has Ash Wednesday services, but we do not apply the ashes in the sign of the cross on the forehead like our liturgical brothers and sisters do. While, our service is very good and very thought provoking and a time for reflection, I must say that the most meaningful Ash Wednesday service I have attended was in a Methodist church a few years ago.

A wooden cross was brought in and placed at the altar. Each person in the congregation was given a small piece of paper to write down when they are sacrificing (giving up) during lent. Then you would go to the alter and nail your piece of paper on the cross. Now, let me tell you, that really made one think about what they would write down on that paper.

Later in the service we went to the altar and the pastor placed the ashes on our forehead in the symbol of the cross.

I think if we would be open to various types of worship as long as it is scriptural and not against our own church doctrine, there is much that can be learned, if we have an open heart and are receptive.

Another thing during the Holy Season that impressed me at this Methodist church was Good Friday services. There were various articles (hope this is the correct terminology) and each article had a significance. On Good Friday each thing was removed. Right now I cannot remember what was said and what each item meant, but it was so meaningful and reverent.

As for being a full-blooded nazarene, I'm not sure what that means. haha

[Dana Grant]

I have shared this on naznet before and I'll share it again. My church has Ash Wednesday services, but we do not apply the ashes in the sign of the cross on the forehead like our liturgical brothers and sisters do. While, our service is very good and very thought provoking and a time for reflection, I must say that the most meaningful Ash Wednesday service I have attended was in a Methodist church a few years ago.

A wooden cross was brought in and placed at the altar. Each person in the congregation was given a small piece of paper to write down when they are sacrificing (giving up) during lent. Then you would go to the alter and nail your piece of paper on the cross. Now, let me tell you, that really made one think about what they would write down on that paper.

Later in the service we went to the altar and the pastor placed the ashes on our forehead in the symbol of the cross.

I think if we would be open to various types of worship as long as it is scriptural and not against our own church doctrine, there is much that can be learned, if we have an open heart and are receptive.

Another thing during the Holy Season that impressed me at this Methodist church was Good Friday services. There were various articles (hope this is the correct terminology) and each article had a significance. On Good Friday each thing was removed. Right now I cannot remember what was said and what each item meant, but it was so meaningful and reverent.

As for being a full-blooded nazarene, I'm not sure what that means. haha

About 10-15 years ago now, our pastor did something that was very unique, I thought. I think it was a New Year's Eve service. He asked us to write on a piece of paper an area that we needed to work on in our life. Not a New Year's resolution, but a part of our life that we needed to make improvements on, and something that we'd been praying about, etc.

We all did this, and brought the pieces of paper up to the altar and placed them in a container.

At that very moment, the pastor burned the papers. He didn't read them, but just burned them.

Then when Ash Wednesday rolled around, he used those ashes for the Ash Wednesday service, and those who wished to do so went to the altar where he placed the ashes on their forehead.

That was a particularly meaningful and memorable service for me.

[Jon Twitchell]

I addition to Ash Wednesday, I have led our congregation through Wesley's Covenant service at the start of the new calendar year. I took Wesley's service and updated the language but kept the core ideas in tact. Everytime I lead the church through that service the response is the same - Wesley cannot stop talking about and confessing sin in that service.

Perhaps what makes us saints and fully aware of God's transforming grace is our keen awareness of our sin. And not just the "up to the neck" sins of habitual brokenness, but the subtle forms of pride, self-reliance, and self-deception that plague us all.

Maybe we need Ash Wednesday to remember that our strength is found in weakness, our pride is in the humility of the cross, and our holiness is discovered in vulnerability and confession.

We've also made the "Wesley Covenant Service" part of our yearly tradition, often on the first Sunday of the new year. You're absolutely right--Wesley has a keen awareness of sin, and the need for individual and corporate confession.

In our times of corporate confession, I will guide the congregation through prayers of confession that include: willful and known acts of sin; unknown sin; unintentional sin; shortcomings; sins of omission; recognizing that we have not Loved God perfectly, or our neighbor perfectly; that we have not preached the Gospel with perfect effectiveness; that we have not cared for the orphan, the widow, and the alien as well as we ought. I will also lead us toward confession of our humanness...but then confessing God's divine attributes--His holiness, power, knowledge, love, and sacrfice.

The hymn that most reflects my approach to Ash Wednesday is Charles Wesley's hymn: "Jesus, Lover of my Soul." In particular, the last two verses:

Thou, O Christ, art all I want, more than all in Thee I find;
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint, heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Just and holy is Thy Name, I am all unrighteousness;
False and full of sin I am; Thou art full of truth and grace.

Plenteous grace with Thee is found, grace to cover all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound; make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art, freely let me take of Thee;
Spring Thou up within my heart; rise to all eternity.

I believe that nothing makes us more aware of God's Great Grace than the knowledge of our own sin and shortcomings.

[Jon Twitchell]

About 10-15 years ago now, our pastor did something that was very unique, I thought. I think it was a New Year's Eve service. He asked us to write on a piece of paper an area that we needed to work on in our life. Not a New Year's resolution, but a part of our life that we needed to make improvements on, and something that we'd been praying about, etc.

We all did this, and brought the pieces of paper up to the altar and placed them in a container.

At that very moment, the pastor burned the papers. He didn't read them, but just burned them.

Then when Ash Wednesday rolled around, he used those ashes for the Ash Wednesday service, and those who wished to do so went to the altar where he placed the ashes on their forehead.

That was a particularly meaningful and memorable service for me.

We have also done Ash Wednesday services like that...instead of having an Imposition of Ashes, we simply wrote out confessions and had people come up one by one and place them in the fire. It's been a truly meaningful service as well.

It's tough to find a container that is functional for burning yet attractive for worship. :)