RESIDENTS HONOR LENT

Two Lorain pastors host a drive-thru service, give ashes to those in cars

Several Lorain residents took time March 6 to receive ashes by way of a drive-thru and prepare for the next 40 day of Lent in honor of Ash Wednesday. The day started with Lorain pastors Alex Barton, of Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, and Rosalina “Pastor Rosy” Rivera, of First Lutheran Church, providing the drive-thru service at 603 Washington Ave. for people to receive ashes while sitting in their cars. “This is the first year we’ve tried this,” Rivera said. “I thought the idea would be a good one out of convenience for some folks and decided to invite Pastor Alex (Barton) because our churches do a lot of things together.” Rivera said Ash Wednesday serves as a way to get people in

“It reminds us of our own mortality, allowing us to reconnect with God.”

— Rosalina “Pastor Rosy” Rivera, of First Lutheran Church

the right frame of mind for Lent. “It reminds us of our own mortality, allowing us to reconnect with God,” she said. “It’s something we wanted to make available for members of our churches who couldn’t make it to services today.” Barton said a decent number of residents took advantage of the drivethru. “We had some on their way to work,” he said. “We want to give people the opportunity to receive the ash and prepare for Holy Lent. “We typically have this done during an Ash Wednesday service, but this just makes things more convenient for some folks.” Ash Wednesday services Barton conducted a noon service at Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, 647 Reid Ave., to tell people to fast for the right reasons. “The gospel criticizes those who fast for the wrong reasons,” Barton said. “It should be a time to look at ourselves honestly and admit we are broken. “It also tells us that God loves us deeply and works through us.” Barton challenged the congregation not to seek a reward for doing good. “Don’t let your right arm tell your left what it’s doing, meaning we should give freely without thought of reward,” he said. “Give freely of whatever gift you have, and use these next 40 days to remind yourself of the love God has for you, your community, the city of Lorain and the world.” First Lutheran, 1019 W. Fifth St., also had an evening service.

ZACHARY SRNIS — THE MORNING JOURNAL Pastor Alex Barton, of Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, puts ash on the foreheads of congregation members.