Sermon Series - Lent - Ash Wednesday with Devotions

Ash Wednesday - Introduction - Journey to the Cross: Being a disciple of the Cross - Baptism: Begins our ministry.

In the church, there are many things that we talk about: Baptism, Grace, Mercy, Resurrection, Prayer, Worship, Communion and so many others.  Sometimes we need a reminder of what they are all about and how we use and act upon them in our daily life.  This year for Lent, I invite you on a journey, one that you are already on. A journey you, as a Christian,  have heard about, or possibly a journey you would like to be on.  On this journey, we shall explore how God is in relationship with you every single day.  

Throughout this journey, I encourage you to gather together as a family or with friends to dwell and discuss the Scripture. Please use  the questions of the day found at the bottom of this sheet.  By doing this, you shall grow closer to those people, with whom you will gather, and God, who is a part of this relationship as well.  

Today, we gather for Ash Wednesday.  A day in the life of the church, which gathers us together to remind us that we are mortal, have limits, and are in need of God to help which sustains us in this world.  So, it is on this solemn day, we stop from our hectic schedules.  We come to worship to be remind ourselves of our own mortality, but also to remind ourselves of the Baptism promise into which God has brought us.  It is through Baptism, we are united with Christ.  Through Baptism, we face a death like Jesus’ death.  Through Baptism, we receive a resurrection to life like Jesus.

As we reflect upon our own Baptism, death, and Promise of Resurrection, we place upon our foreheads a cross made of ashes.  This sign of the cross is the same sign placed upon our foreheads at our Baptism. The ashes remind us that we are part of God’s creation that surrounds us every single day.  We are part of God’s creation that was created and sustained by God.  Every breath that we take, is a breath given to us by God.  The very breath that God’s Spirit breathed into our own nostrils.  We receive in a certain faith and hope from God through our trusting in the Word of God.  That very Word that sustains us every single day.  Through this Word we receive the gift of Resurrection from the dead, and we are welcomed into the presence of God.

As we reflect upon our life and Baptism, it helps us to remember the Baptism, that has united us with Jesus Christ.  It reminds us of the promises that were made to God the day of our Baptism. In our Baptism, these promises were made:

We were asked to promise live among God’s faithful people, to come to the services of God’s house, to learn the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments, to read the Holy scriptures, and to live out our days living a Godly life until the day of Jesus Christ’s return.

Scripture for: Thursday: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 Friday: Psalm 51:1-17 Saturday: Matthew 3:13-17 Sunday: Romans 5:12-19 Monday: Psalm 32 Tuesday:1 Corinthians 9:19-23 Wednesday: Luke 11:1-13

Question for: Thursday: What made you feel alive today? Friday: Where has God provided for you? Saturday: How will you be reminded of your Baptism today? Sunday: Share your own Baptism story with your children. Remind them of the day they were Baptized. Monday: How have you been shown mercy by others? Tuesday: Where can you show mercy today? Wednesday: When do you pray the Lord’s Prayer?