The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Lent begins
United Methodist Church among those to hold Ash Wednesday services
Just talking about Ash Wednesday brought tears to one Mentor resident’s eyes.
“It’s a very sacred season because Jesus died for our sins,” said Doris Dutton, who is a member of Mentor United Methodist Church. “It reminds us of his sacrifice. It just makes me feel better to have taken the ashes and the Communion today.”
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. Mentor United Methodist Church, at 8600 Mentor Ave., held multiple services on March 1, including the imposition of ashes.
“The Lenten season is about self- examination,” said the Rev. Kurt Landerholm. “It’s recognizing who we are and our need for salvation.”
Landerholm, who is the lead pastor of Mentor United Methodist Church, emphasized both the “giving up” and “taking up” during Lent.
As Christians give something up during the Lenten season, they are also encouraged to take something up, such as praying more or connecting to more people in need, Landerholm explained.
“The Lenten season is about selfexamination. It’s recognizing who we are and our need for salvation.” — Rev. Kurt Landerholm of Mentor United Methodist Church
“It is the source of selfdenial,” he said.
He said ashes are found in the Old Testament of the Bible and are a symbol of sin, grief and sorrow.
During the imposition of ashes, the Rev. Beverly Wrobel, associate pastor, rubbed ashes onto individuals’ foreheads in the shape of a cross.
Wrobel also explained the significance of Ash Wednesday and served Communion.
Kurt Hinkley, who received ashes at Mentor United Methodist Church, said he learned a lot about Ash Wednesday.
“This is the first year I’ve done this since I joined the church,” Hinkley said. “I’ve missed it in past years and I think it was very important to come to Ash
Wednesday. It made me realize how much I really value being a member of this church.”
The use of ashes as a sign of mortality and repentance has a long history in Jewish and Christian worship, according to the United Methodist Church. Historically, ashes signified purification and sorrow for sins. It is traditional to save the palm branches from the previous Palm Sunday service to burn to produce ashes for the Ash Wednesday service.
“On Ash Wednesday, we tend to focus on some Old Testament passages like Joel 2 and Psalm 51 and Matthew 6 in the New Testament, which is a reminder what we do we do unto the Lord,” Wrobel said.
The Lenten season is followed by Easter. This year Easter will be celebrated on April 16.