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From the Pastor
Notes, scribblings, poems, reflections, ideas

Heart Songs 3: anthem for Lent

 

Ring around the rosie, a pocket full of posies, ashes, ashes, we all fall down.

[Children's nursery rhyme with no hidden meanings.]

 

ashes on ashes off[1]

we all fall down

 

ashes on ashes off

Palm branches burned

 

ashes on ashes off

repentant and pray

 

ashes on ashes off

sign of the cross

 

ashes on ashes off

an empty space at the altar

 

ashes on ashes off

shadow of a cross

 

ashes on ashes off

washed off in baptismal water

 

ashes on ashes off

washed away in bread and wine

 

ashes on ashes off

freed and forgiven

 

ashes on ashes off

Go in peace

 

ashes on ashes off

Serve the Lord

 

ashes on ashes off

we all rise


 

[1] Here at ASM on Ash Wednesday at the Entrance Rite, we confess our sins then receive the ashes on our foreheads. Later in the service, following the reading of the Gospel of Matthew text for the day--

"
And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you." Matthew 6: 16-18 --

we gather at the baptismal font and take turns washing the ashes from each others’ foreheads. This has become, for me, a powerful visual symbol of hope, and of the promise of the resurrection, our resurrections from darkness to life, ashes on, ashes off.  jhd

 



Click PLAY to hear Pastor Jim's new composition, Summer Rain. Guitar & storm recorded at ASM. [Summer Rain copyright ©2009 by James Hugh Drury]


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