THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF BUXTED & HADLOW DOWN
Administrator
Diocese of Chichester
Posted:
5 March 2025
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Please join us this morning at 10 am at St Margaret's as we begin our Lenten journey together.
“Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” With these words, Ash Wednesday observants receive the sign of the cross in ashes on their foreheads, signifying that we have been created from the dust of the earth and symbolizing our mortality and our great need for the grace and eternal life that can only be found in Jesus Christ our Savior.
Ash Wednesday launches the 40 days of Lent that prepare the Christian for Easter (“Pascha”), the greatest day in the Christian calendar. Eastern Christians usually begin Lent with “Clean Monday,” two days earlier than Ash Wednesday but with very much the same principle. During the Lenten season of self-examination, repentance, prayer, fasting, and alms-giving, the entire church is “put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need that all Christians continually have to renew our repentance and faith” (from Book of Common Prayer Ash Wednesday liturgy).
Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made, and you forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Art & history by Ben Lansing
Our Church Speaks book and podcast available at ourchurchspeaks.com
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