Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season of penitence and confession. The tradition of marking the worshiper with ashes has long been a part of many denominations observance of Ash Wednesday.

Too often the season of Lent is marked more by whether or not to eat sweets or drink sodas. While disciplines such as these might be a step toward God, they often become ends in themselves marked more by “shoulds” than by a spirit of worship. Ash Wednesday redirects our sights not to ourselves and what we can or cannot do, but instead to God–the one who created us–who calls us to confess and offers a clean heart to those who call on God.
(Adapted from thethoughtfulchristian.com) 

There are two options for observing Ash Wednesday with the Oak Hill family this week-

Ashes to Go – Pastor Erin and other neighborhood clergy will be offering ashes on the fly at the corner of Grand and Arsenal from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Tower Grove Ecumenical Worship Service – Please join us and several neighborhood congregations as we gather together at Compton Heights Christian Church, 2149 So. Grand, on February 18, for an Ash Wednesday Communion Worship Service at 7:00 p.m.