Sunday February 22nd, 2026- - CourtneyR.dev's 2nd Brain

Sunday February 22nd, 2026- 🔗 **Source:** [Sunday February 22nd, 2026-](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn1VXQDMtvk) > [!note]+ Document Notes > tags: [ash-wednesday, lent, worship, spiritual-discipline] > author: [MISSING] > source: YouTube > reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn1VXQDMtvk > date created: 2024-12-28 15:23 > > # 🏷️ Title: Ash Wednesday Service - Beginning the Season of Lent >  ## 🧰 Action Inbox - [H1] Consider Lenten discipline practice — devotional life focus instead of giving up luxuries #spiritual-discipline - [H2] Stock community pantry — practical outreach through gift cards and food items #community-service - [H3] Practice authentic faith — avoid performative righteousness, focus on genuine relationship with God #authenticity ## 🧭 Table of Contents - [📝 Summary](#-summary) - [📖 Main Content](#-main-content) - [🗒️ Notes](#️-notes) - [📚 References](#-references) - [🗣️ Paraphrase](#️-paraphrase) - [📰 Newsletter](#-newsletter) - [✅ Action Items](#-action-items) - [🧪 Hypotheses](#-hypotheses) - [📊 Methodology](#-methodology) - [❓ Questions](#-questions) - [🔮 Future Research](#-future-research) - [💡 Implications](#-implications) - [🧠 Learning Styles Assessment](#-learning-styles-assessment) - [📊 Accessibility Assessment](#-accessibility-assessment) - [🌍 DEIB Assessment](#-deib-assessment) - [✅ Logical Validity](#-logical-validity) - [🛡️ DARVO Analysis](#-darvo-analysis) - [🎯 Conclusion](#-conclusion) ### 🔗 References - [Joel 2:12-14 Scripture Reading](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joel+2%3A12-14&version=NRSV) - [Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 Scripture Reading](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A1-6%2C16-21&version=NRSV) ## 📝 Summary - What happened: An Ash Wednesday worship service marking the beginning of Lent with scripture readings, sermon, and imposition of ashes - Why it matters: Provides spiritual grounding for the 40-day Lenten journey of reflection, repentance, and renewal - Key stakeholders: Church congregation, broader Christian community observing liturgical calendar - Risks and tradeoffs: Balancing authentic spiritual practice with avoiding performative religiosity - Bottom line: Lent calls believers to genuine relationship with God through private devotion rather than public display ## 📖 Main Content The service centers on the tension between authentic faith and performative righteousness, drawing from Jesus' teachings in Matthew 6. The pastor emphasizes that spiritual disciplines like giving, praying, and fasting should focus on deepening relationship with God rather than gaining human approval. The sermon critiques social media culture's emphasis on public displays of charity, referencing a TikTok experiment where someone called churches pretending to need baby formula. This highlighted how even religious communities can fall into performative behavior rather than genuine compassion. The liturgy incorporates traditional Ash Wednesday elements - confession, scripture readings, imposition of ashes, and communion - while emphasizing God's grace and the call to "return and be renewed." The ashes symbolize both mortality and humanity's connection to creation as "stardust." ## 🗒️ Notes #### ⏱️ [00:00](https://youtu.be/Xn1VXQDMtvk?t=0) — Welcome and Call to Worship - Key idea: Ash Wednesday begins Lent as a season of contemplation and grace - Evidence: "We come turning and returning to God... beginning in dust and in quiet, seeking courage to begin again" #### ⏱️ [03:15](https://youtu.be/Xn1VXQDMtvk?t=195) — Opening Prayer and Confession - Key idea: Lenten disciplines are "acts of faithful resistance" toward justice - Evidence: "By these gentle and subversive acts, turn us toward you, toward one another, and toward your vision for a just and liberated world" #### ⏱️ [06:45](https://youtu.be/Xn1VXQDMtvk?t=405) — Scripture Reading from Joel 2:12-14 - Key idea: God calls for authentic heart change, not just external rituals - Evidence: "Rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful" #### ⏱️ [09:30](https://youtu.be/Xn1VXQDMtvk?t=570) — Gospel Reading from Matthew 6 - Key idea: Spiritual practices should be done in secret, not for public praise - Evidence: "When you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing" #### ⏱️ [12:00](https://youtu.be/Xn1VXQDMtvk?t=720) — Sermon Introduction: Competing Voices - Key idea: Modern life overwhelms us with more content than we can consume - Evidence: "Our phones seem to have more capacity than our brains do. There seems to be an app for everything" #### ⏱️ [14:15](https://youtu.be/Xn1VXQDMtvk?t=855) — TikTok Experiment Critique - Key idea: Social media can turn charity into performance rather than genuine care - Evidence: "Was it meant to be a good deed or just a way to seek attention and clicks?" #### ⏱️ [16:30](https://youtu.be/Xn1VXQDMtvk?t=990) — Personal Lenten Practice - Key idea: Lenten disciplines should address individual spiritual needs, not follow rigid formulas - Evidence: "I don't know that I need to give up one of life's joys... So instead, I'm going to be more intentional in my devotional life" #### ⏱️ [18:45](https://youtu.be/Xn1VXQDMtvk?t=1125) — Practical Ministry Examples - Key idea: Authentic care provides dignity and accessibility without fanfare - Evidence: "Our little free pantry stays stocked... someone can quietly stop by and access food" #### ⏱️ [21:00](https://youtu.be/Xn1VXQDMtvk?t=1260) — Chameleon Metaphor - Key idea: Lenten practices help us blend into God's purposes rather than seeking attention - Evidence: "Like chameleons... less concerned with what others think and more on the task at hand" #### ⏱️ [23:30](https://youtu.be/Xn1VXQDMtvk?t=1410) — Ash Imposition Liturgy - Key idea: Remembering mortality affirms our place in God's creation, not our worthlessness - Evidence: "We are not ordinary dust. We are stardust. We are infinite. Created by you, loved by you" #### ⏱️ [28:15](https://youtu.be/Xn1VXQDMtvk?t=1695) — Communion Invitation - Key idea: The table welcomes all people with their full range of human experience - Evidence: "Come with your fears... frustrations... grief... apathy... Come all of you with every part of you" #### ⏱️ [35:00](https://youtu.be/Xn1VXQDMtvk?t=2100) — Closing Blessing - Key idea: Lenten journey combines spiritual depth with earthly responsibility - Evidence: "May we walk with God. May we tread lightly upon the earth. May we return and be renewed" ## 📚 References - [Revised Common Lectionary](https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/) - [Joel 2:12-14 - Call to Repentance](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joel+2%3A12-14&version=NRSV) - [Matthew 6:1-21 - Sermon on the Mount](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A1-21&version=NRSV) ## 🗣️ Paraphrase - Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, calling Christians to authentic spiritual practice focused on relationship with God rather than human approval - Jesus teaches that giving, praying, and fasting should be done privately to avoid the trap of performative righteousness that seeks public praise - Modern social media culture intensifies the temptation to turn charitable acts into content for clicks rather than genuine compassion for those in need ## 📰 Newsletter **Ash Wednesday Worship: Beginning Lent with Authentic Faith** This Ash Wednesday service offers a thoughtful critique of performative religion in the age of social media. The pastor challenges congregants to pursue genuine spiritual disciplines that deepen their relationship with God rather than seeking public validation. Key takeaways include embracing Lenten practices tailored to individual spiritual needs, supporting community through quiet acts of service, and remembering our place as beloved creatures in God's creation. The service beautifully balances traditional liturgy with contemporary relevance. **Practical Applications:** - Consider taking up devotional practices rather than just giving up luxuries - Support community pantries and direct aid without fanfare - Focus on private spiritual disciplines that nurture authentic faith **Community Connections:** Join local churches observing Lent through Bible studies, prayer groups, and service projects that emphasize genuine care over public recognition. ## ✅ Action Items #### Community - Stock little free pantries with food and essential items - Provide gift cards for those needing assistance with dignity - Create accessible outreach that doesn't require church hours #### WordPress - Design: Consider accessibility features for online worship streaming - Community: Support faith-based websites with inclusive language tools - Documentation: Create resources for religious organizations using WordPress #### OSPO - Community Engagement: Partner with faith communities on digital inclusion projects - Policy & Governance: Develop guidelines for respectful religious content - Strategic Alignment: Measure impact of community service technology initiatives ## 🧪 Hypotheses - Authentic spiritual practices lead to greater long-term spiritual growth than performative religious activities - Private charitable giving creates more dignity for recipients than public displays of generosity - Seasonal spiritual disciplines help maintain consistent faith practice throughout the year - Community-accessible resources (like outdoor pantries) serve more people than limited-hours programs ### 📊 Methodology - Survey participants in Lenten practices comparing private vs. public spiritual disciplines - Interview recipients of charitable aid about dignity and accessibility preferences - Track engagement metrics for year-round faith practices vs. seasonal observances ### ❓ Questions - How can religious communities balance transparency with avoiding performative charity? - What role should social media play in authentic faith expression? - How do different generations approach traditional liturgical seasons? ### 🔮 Future Research - Impact of digital technology on traditional spiritual practices - Effectiveness of seasonal vs. year-round spiritual discipline approaches - Community accessibility models for religious outreach programs ### 💡 Implications - Practice: Emphasize private spiritual disciplines over public religious performance - Policy: Create guidelines for dignified charitable assistance programs - Education: Teach media literacy regarding performative vs. authentic online content - Community: Design accessible outreach that respects recipient dignity ### 🧠 Learning Styles Assessment Reading level estimate: 8th-9th grade #### 👀 Visual learners - Present: Traditional liturgical symbols (ashes, communion elements) - Improve: Infographics comparing authentic vs. performative religious practices #### 🔊 Aural learners - Present: Full worship service with hymns, prayers, and spoken word - Improve: Recorded Lenten devotional audio series for daily use #### 🗣️ Verbal learners - Present: Scripture readings, sermon explanation, prayer liturgy - Improve: Discussion questions for small group Bible study #### 🧩 Kinesthetic learners - Present: Physical participation in communion and ash imposition - Improve: Hands-on service projects during Lent #### 🧠 Logical learners - Present: Structured liturgy following traditional Ash Wednesday order - Improve: Timeline of Lenten season with spiritual discipline progressions #### 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Social learners - Present: Community worship, shared meals, group prayers - Improve: Small group Lenten study guides with accountability partners #### 🧘‍♀️ Solitary learners - Present: Individual prayer time, personal reflection during ash imposition - Improve: Private devotional guides with journaling prompts #### 🌿 Naturalistic learners - Present: Creation theology ("stardust" imagery, dust and earth connections) - Improve: Outdoor meditation spaces, environmental stewardship projects ### 📊 Accessibility Assessment #### Screen reader semantics - Present: Clear spoken liturgy and sermon content - Improve: Transcript with proper heading structure and alt text for any visual elements #### Keyboard navigation - Present: Traditional worship requires minimal digital interaction - Improve: Ensure online streaming platforms are fully keyboard accessible #### Contrast and readability - Present: Large-print bulletins available for worship - Improve: High-contrast worship materials and digital content #### Media and captions - Present: Full audio worship service - Improve: Closed captions for any video streaming, sign language interpretation #### Standards reference - Follow WCAG 2.2 AA for any digital worship resources or streaming platforms ### 🌍 DEIB Assessment #### Cultural breadth - Present: Universal themes of mortality and spiritual growth - Improve: Acknowledge diverse Lenten traditions across Christian denominations #### Inclusive language - Present: Gender-neutral language in prayers, welcomes all people - Improve: More diverse examples in sermon illustrations #### Neurodiversity support - Present: Structured liturgy with predictable elements - Improve: Sensory-friendly worship options, quiet spaces #### Representation - Present: Inclusive welcome statement - Improve: Diverse leadership representation in worship planning #### Psychological safety - Present: Emphasis on acceptance and grace - Improve: Clear community guidelines for respectful engagement ### ✅ Logical Validity #### Strong reasoning - Deductive strength: Biblical texts support private spiritual practice over public display - Inductive strength: Examples from social media illustrate broader patterns of performative behavior - Analogical strength: Chameleon metaphor effectively illustrates spiritual focus over attention-seeking #### Fallacies - False dichotomy: Sermon occasionally presents stark either/or choices between authentic and performative faith without acknowledging middle ground #### Tone of voice - Overall tone: Pastoral, contemplative, gently challenging without being condemning ### 🛡️ DARVO Analysis - Deny: No concerning denial patterns - Attack: No attacks on accusers present - Reverse victim/offender: No victim/offender reversal - Emotional cues: Appropriate use of spiritual emotion and reverence ## 🎯 Conclusion This Ash Wednesday service effectively challenges contemporary Christians to pursue authentic spiritual practices while avoiding the pitfalls of performative religiosity. The pastor skillfully connects ancient biblical wisdom with modern social media culture, offering practical guidance for observing Lent in ways that deepen genuine faith rather than seeking public approval. The liturgical elements provide meaningful structure for beginning the Lenten journey with both individual reflection and community support. ## 🧱 Refactor Appendix ### 📚 Literature Split Pad ### [H1] Lenten disciplines resist performative culture > [!quote] Ash Wednesday Service by [MISSING] via YouTube. Published 2024. Accessed 2024-12-28. > "We take on the disciplines of Lent as acts of faithful resistance." Connects traditional spiritual practices to counter-cultural movements. [view highlight](https://youtu.be/Xn1VXQDMtvk?t=195#H1) #spiritual-resistance #liturgical-season ID:rw_ash1 ### [H2] Authentic charity provides dignity and accessibility > [!quote] Ash Wednesday Service > "Our little free pantry stays stocked... someone can quietly stop by and access food." Demonstrates practical theology in community outreach design. [view highlight](https://youtu.be/Xn1VXQDMtvk?t=1125#H2) #community-care #dignity ID:rw_ash2 --- ### 🔖 Atomic Split Pad (Zettel Candidates) #### [Z1] Mortality awareness enhances human dignity - Scope: Christian theology of embodied existence - Pointer: Ash imposition liturgy at 23:30 - Links: [[Creation-Theology --- ## Full Transcript [02:19] Thank you. [02:32] Hallelujah. [03:09] Good morning. [04:21] Go. [05:28] Good evening. [05:31] >> Welcome to our Ash Wednesday service [05:33] this evening, the start of the season of [05:37] Lent. [05:38] We give thanks for the quiet, [05:41] for the contemplation, [05:44] and the grace of God. [05:48] We welcome one another into this time of [05:50] worship. [05:52] No matter who you are or where you are [05:55] on life's journey, you are welcome here. [06:00] Let us quiet our minds and prepare our [06:03] hearts for worship. [08:08] I invite you to stand as you are able in [08:10] body or in spirit and join Join in the [08:13] call to worship. [08:16] Beloved of Christ, let us enter into [08:18] this holy space of worship and this holy [08:22] time of Lent. [08:25] We come turning and returning to God. We [08:29] gather knowing that God embraces our [08:32] whole selves. [08:34] We come laughing or weeping, rejoicing [08:37] or mourning, confident or doubting, [08:41] carefree or burdened. We begin in dust [08:46] and in quiet, seeking courage to begin [08:50] again. [08:52] We come for God is gracious and [08:55] merciful, slow to anger and abounding in [08:59] steadfast love. We take on the [09:02] disciplines of Lent as acts of faithful [09:05] resistance. [09:07] We come to dream of a world renewed. We [09:11] imagine a world at peace. We lift our [09:15] voices in praise. Let us join together [09:19] in singing hymn number 169. Lord who [09:23] throughout these 40 days [09:40] Lord, you love his [09:49] praise. [09:51] Jesus [09:53] the grace to our sins and the [10:04] as you [10:06] sing. [10:16] Glory [10:18] has been [10:21] to [10:25] all [10:30] and through [10:37] and through your [10:43] forever. Ever [10:50] I see the soul [10:58] with us [11:00] through his [11:03] house [11:06] and praying [11:15] we make at last [11:20] name. [11:24] >> Let us join together in the opening [11:26] prayer. [11:28] God of liberation, [11:31] you call your people to faithfulness in [11:34] this and every age. Not through [11:37] extraordinary displays of religious [11:40] devotion, but through ordinary things, [11:45] praying, simple living, acts of [11:49] generosity. [11:51] By these gentle and subversive acts, [11:54] turn us toward you, toward one another, [11:59] and toward your vision for a just and [12:02] liberated world, following the way of [12:05] Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. [12:10] You may be seated. [12:14] Siblings in Christ, let us confess our [12:16] sins to God. Laying down our burden of [12:20] guilt into the grave of forgiven wrongs [12:23] where shame is conquered forever. [12:26] Holy God, you created life from dirt, [12:30] breathing air into our lungs and [12:32] entrusting us to live rightly. [12:36] Today, as we remember our mortality with [12:39] ashes and prayer, we confess our [12:43] tendency to forget. [12:46] We have forgotten our creator. We have [12:50] forgotten that we came from dust and we [12:53] shall return to dust. Remind us of our [12:57] fragile humanness held delicately in the [13:00] palm of your hand. [13:03] Remind us to observe and appreciate [13:05] creation, this incredible universe [13:08] imagined for your glory and life's [13:11] flourishing. [13:13] Forgive us for living as if we are [13:16] invincible. [13:18] Forgive us for living as if we are [13:20] powerless. [13:22] For you are both the great God of all [13:24] living things and the precious spirit [13:27] that inhabits each of us. [13:30] Have mercy upon us, your children. [13:34] >> Amen. [13:36] Beloved God knows we lose sight of our [13:38] place in creation, falling into [13:41] arrogance or misery, forgetting God's [13:44] mercy. [13:46] Remember and receive God's pardon, and [13:49] be at peace. [13:52] Amen. [14:13] Tonight's reading is from the book of [14:15] Joel chapter 2 verses 12-4 [14:21] in which the prophet calls the people of [14:24] Israel [14:26] to genuine repentance. [14:30] Yet even now, says the Lord, return to [14:34] me with all your heart, with fasting, [14:40] with weeping, and with mourning. [14:44] Rend your hearts and not your clothing. [14:49] Return to the Lord your God, for he is [14:53] gracious and merciful, [14:56] slow to anger, [14:58] abounding in steadfast love, and [15:02] relenting from punishment. [15:06] Who knows whether he will not turn and [15:09] relent and leave a blessing behind him, [15:14] a grain offering and a drink offering [15:18] for the Lord your God. Amen. [16:17] tears and dust. [16:20] We bow to you with trust [16:25] when we [16:30] scares [16:31] our we [16:47] could Here [16:50] are [16:58] blessars [17:09] distress [17:11] in the savage wilderness. [17:17] The greatest [17:19] song [17:21] all [17:26] turning [17:29] heart [17:42] by your [17:46] prayer. [17:48] I will cross the hell of [17:58] I [18:03] For the dreadful [18:11] crying [18:31] the Holy [18:37] rising [18:41] through [18:45] Christ [18:48] and might [19:18] A reading from the Gospel according to [19:20] Matthew [19:22] 6:es 1-6 and 16- 21. [19:27] Listen for what the spirit is saying. [19:31] Beware of practicing your righteousness [19:34] before others in order to be seen by [19:36] them. For then you have no reward from [19:39] your father in heaven. [19:42] So whenever you give alms, do not sound [19:44] a trumpet before you as the hypocrites [19:46] do in the synagogues and in the streets [19:49] so that they may be praised by them [19:52] by others. Truly I tell you, they have [19:55] received their reward. But when you give [19:58] alms, do not let your left hand know [20:01] what your right hand is doing, so that [20:04] your alms may be done in secret, and [20:06] your Father, who sees in secret, will [20:09] reward you. [20:11] And whenever you pray, do not be like [20:13] the hypocrites, for they love to stand [20:15] and pray in the synagogues and at the [20:18] street corners, so that they may be seen [20:20] by others. [20:22] Truly, I tell you, they have received [20:24] their reward. [20:26] But whenever you pray, go into your room [20:28] and shut the door and pray to your [20:30] father who is in secret. And your father [20:33] who sees in secret will reward you. [20:38] And whenever you fast, do not look [20:40] somber like the hypocrites, for they [20:42] mark their faces to show others that [20:44] they are fasting. Truly, I tell you, [20:47] they have received their reward. [20:50] But when you fast, put oil on your head [20:52] and wash your face, so that your fasting [20:55] may be seen not by others, but by your [20:57] father who is in secret. And your father [21:00] who sees in secret will reward you. [21:04] Do not store up for yourselves treasures [21:06] on earth, but where moth and rust [21:09] consume, and where thieves break in and [21:11] steal, but store up for yourselves [21:14] treasures in heaven. Where neither rust [21:17] nor moth consumes, and where thieves do [21:19] not break in and steal. [21:22] For where your treasure is, there your [21:25] heart will be also. [21:29] This is the word of God for the people [21:31] of God. Thanks be to God. [21:36] Will you pray with me? [21:40] Spirit of the living God, fall aresh on [21:43] us. May the words of my mouth and the [21:46] meditations of all our hearts be [21:48] acceptable to you, oh God, for you are [21:51] our rock and our redeemer. [21:55] Amen. [21:58] Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent, [22:01] an annual call to faithfulness for the [22:04] long haul and a call to return in [22:08] thought and action if you have veered [22:10] off course. [22:13] In all three years of the Revised Common [22:15] Lectionary, we read from the Gospel of [22:17] Matthew the familiar words from the [22:20] sermon on the mount about almsgiving, [22:23] prayer, fasting, and treasures. [22:27] These might be considered a divine to do [22:30] and not do list. [22:34] Jesus tells us to look at him, not at [22:37] what others are doing. [22:40] Jesus tells us to listen to him. [22:44] Our world is filled with competing [22:47] voices and platforms and that was before [22:50] artificial intelligence became so [22:52] ubiquitous. Our phones seem to have more [22:56] capacity than our brains do. There seems [22:59] to be an app for everything and more [23:03] content created than we could possibly [23:05] hope to consume. [23:08] In November 2025, there was a social [23:11] experiment conducted on Tik Tok where [23:14] the creator called churches pretending [23:16] to be a mother in desperate need of baby [23:19] formula. [23:21] Some of the responses were kind and [23:23] compassionate. Others seemed cold or [23:26] callous. The internet had a field day. [23:32] Was she attempting to point out a [23:34] growing edge for the church? [23:37] Was it meant to be a good deed or just a [23:39] way to seek attention [23:41] and clicks? [23:43] Jesus doesn't tell us to do good deeds [23:46] because they will cause us to be [23:48] praised. [23:49] He tells us to be aware of practicing [23:52] our righteousness before others in order [23:54] to be seen by them. [23:56] Whether it is giving or praying or [23:59] fasting, the point is not the public [24:01] acclaim. [24:03] It is about our deep abiding [24:05] relationship with the divine, [24:08] about sustaining ourselves as we walk in [24:10] a weary and broken world. [24:13] Give your attention to the things of [24:16] God. [24:18] We are invited to return and to be [24:21] renewed. [24:23] At our gathering for Bible and a beer on [24:26] Monday, we talked about the season of [24:28] Lent. [24:29] Not everyone there had grown up in a [24:31] lurggical tradition. So for them, Ash [24:34] Wednesday was still a fairly new [24:36] concept, almost like visiting a foreign [24:38] country where you don't know what [24:40] utensils [24:42] to use to order whatever it is has [24:44] appeared [24:45] off the menu. [24:47] Lent can invite us to set aside [24:50] something that keeps us away from God. [24:55] Alternatively, Lent can invite us to [24:57] take up something that draws us toward [25:00] God. [25:03] It has been a hard year. I don't know [25:07] that I need to give up one of life's [25:09] joys or pleasures, such as chocolate. [25:13] So instead, I'm going to be more [25:15] intentional in my devotional life this [25:17] Lent. I've selected a few print and [25:20] audio options to use each day to sustain [25:23] my heart and mind. I want to be drawn [25:27] even closer to God, to focus on my [25:30] relationship with Christ. [25:34] What you do in these 40 days will be [25:37] determined by what you need this year. [25:40] how your head and your heart, your [25:42] spirit and soul are responding to the [25:45] Holy One. [25:47] God invites us to practice care in ways [25:49] that heal, not impress. [25:54] So, while we do not have baby formula on [25:58] hand, [25:59] we do keep gift cards to Walmart for [26:02] those who need a little help. [26:05] $15 doesn't necessarily go very far, but [26:08] it does give dignity and choice to [26:11] someone who needs food or gas or [26:14] clothing. Our little free pantry stays [26:17] stocked because of the generosity of [26:19] those in our congregation and community [26:22] who stop by and add a few items. [26:25] And because the little free pantry is [26:27] outside, we don't have to be open for [26:30] someone to quietly stop by and access [26:33] food. Our faith isn't for show. It [26:38] cannot be bought or bargained for. It is [26:41] to be genuine. [26:43] So it's not that we don't engage in [26:45] public life. It isn't that we hide away [26:48] in shame. [26:50] After all, God is love and God desires [26:53] love. [26:55] God loves when our giving, praying, and [26:57] fasting are honest and kind. [27:01] Jesus doesn't invite us to put on a [27:03] performance. He invites us to offer our [27:06] hearts and lives in relationship. [27:09] However you honor this season [27:13] in whatever way you mark the time, it is [27:16] to be genuine. It is to be true. It is [27:20] to be loving and kind. I still believe [27:24] that Lent is about love. the love that [27:27] God had for Jesus and that Jesus had for [27:30] the whole world. [27:33] We are invited to return and to be [27:37] renewed. [27:41] So, in full confession, I've [27:43] deliberately chosen to only own animals [27:47] that have fur. [27:50] I am not a reptile person. [27:56] Pastor Jessica, the pastor of my home [27:58] church, Grenell UC, has a menagerie, [28:02] including a blue tonged skink. [28:07] More power to her. [28:10] Yet, in my preparation for tonight, I [28:12] thought about a reptile, [28:15] a chameleon, [28:18] and how they are designed to blend in [28:21] rather than stand out. [28:24] So the goal is not to be noticed. [28:28] After all, in the animal kingdom, you [28:30] are either a predator or you are prey. [28:34] A chameleon, though, can hide in plain [28:36] sight, focusing on finding food rather [28:40] than on avoiding predators and becoming [28:42] food. [28:45] Our Lenton practices are a little bit [28:47] like being a chameleon. [28:49] They're not about standing out. They are [28:51] about helping us to focus on what [28:53] matters. [28:55] In our case, to focus on God. [28:58] So, no wonder Jesus tells us to not make [29:01] it obvious if we are fasting or praying [29:04] or giving alms. [29:06] It's not really about us. [29:10] It's about God. How we relate to God our [29:14] father in heaven and Jesus here on [29:16] earth. [29:18] So maybe we can be a little like [29:19] chameleons this Lent. Less concerned [29:22] with what others think and more on the [29:24] task at hand. How we remain in [29:27] relationship with the divine. [29:31] However you decide to observe this [29:33] season. [29:35] May we together begin with courage to [29:38] tell the truth and live with mercy. [29:42] May we indeed return and be renewed by [29:45] the love and mercy of God. [29:49] Amen. [30:14] Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of [30:16] Lent, a time of discernment, reflection, [30:20] and growth. [30:22] We pause now to remember our mortality [30:24] and the cycle of life, birth, death, and [30:28] new life. In the same manner, may we [30:31] also remember the cycle of prophetic [30:33] imagination. [30:35] critique, lament, imagine. [30:40] We are called as God's people into both [30:42] of these cycles, providing renewal and [30:44] hope. [30:46] As these ashes are placed on your [30:48] forehead or hand, remember you were [30:51] formed from the dust of the earth and [30:54] given life by the breath of God. [30:57] Remembering we are dust doesn't diminish [30:59] our worth or cleanliness. Rather, it [31:02] affirms our integral, connected place in [31:05] this beautiful work of God's love. We [31:08] were made with love. And when we die, [31:13] God will receive us with love. [31:17] Let us pause today to remember our [31:19] mortality, [31:20] thank God for this precious life, and [31:24] commit ourselves to the work of [31:26] imagination. [31:27] Remember, [31:29] you are dust and to dust you shall [31:32] return. [31:34] I invite you to come forward through the [31:36] center aisle to receive the imposition [31:40] of ashes. [33:39] Are you over there? [34:08] away. [34:42] I think [34:57] I'm [35:17] You want me? [35:47] Let us join together in prayer. [35:54] Gracious God, you continue to amaze us, [35:59] to surprise us, [36:01] to delight us, and to sustain us [36:06] in these signs of our mortality, the [36:09] ashes made from the palms, [36:12] and the oil of anointing. [36:16] You remind us of how cared for we are. [36:18] For we are not ordinary dust. [36:22] We are stardust. [36:24] We are infinite. [36:27] Created by you, loved by you, and we [36:30] return to you. [36:33] Continue to abide with us in this [36:35] season, oh God. [36:37] May we follow faithfully [36:40] as we journey with you to the cross. [36:43] All this and so much more we pray in [36:46] Jesus' name. [36:48] praying the prayer that he taught us to [36:50] pray. [36:52] Our [36:52] >> Father [36:54] in heaven [36:55] be named [36:59] thy will be done on earth as it is in [37:02] heaven. Give us this day our daily bread [37:07] and forgive us our [37:13] templor. [37:23] Amen. [37:40] Now is the time in the service [37:43] we set aside to remember. [37:47] We remember Jesus who named and claimed [37:49] this meal of bread and wine as holy. [37:53] We remember countless others who came [37:56] before us eating these same elements [37:59] inspired at this same table. [38:06] We remember all of those who will come [38:10] after us eating these same elements [38:14] energized to continue the work of [38:17] imagination. [38:20] Know that when you come to the table, [38:22] you don't come alone. [38:25] Know that when you come to the table, [38:28] you don't have to be perfect. [38:32] Come with your fears to be reassured. [38:35] Come with your frustrations to renew [38:38] your hope. Come with your grief to be [38:41] held in love. Come with your apathy to [38:45] taste imagination. [38:48] Come all of you with every part of you. [38:53] Come [38:55] God be with you. [38:57] >> And also with you. [38:59] >> Lift up your fears, your hopes, your [39:01] dreams. [39:02] >> We lift them up to God. Let us give [39:05] thanks to our generousness, imaginative [39:08] God. We give our thanks and praise. [39:13] It is a joyous occasion when we come to [39:15] give thanks to you, oh God. [39:18] creator of heaven and earth. In this [39:21] season of Lent, as we journey with you [39:23] through the wilderness, through Judea [39:26] and Galilee, and on the road to [39:28] Jerusalem, [39:29] may we pay attention to your work. You [39:33] healed the hurting, fed the hungry, [39:35] listened to the women, widows, and [39:39] children. [39:41] Though the empire attempted to silence [39:43] you and stop your work, love persevered. [39:47] Love grew. Love prevailed. [39:52] That same love which did not give in [39:54] calls us to speak out. That same love [39:57] which did not stay down calls us to [39:59] stand up and join in the work of thy [40:02] kingdom come, which is the work of [40:05] justice and love for all. [40:11] And so with your people on earth and all [40:14] the saints who have gone before us, we [40:18] praise your name and join in the [40:21] unending hymn. [40:23] >> Holy, holy, holy Lord God of power and [40:28] might. Heaven and earth are full of your [40:32] glory. Hosana in the highest. Blessed is [40:36] the one who comes in the name of the [40:39] Lord. [40:40] >> Hosana in the highest. [40:44] >> Knowing you have equipped us with all we [40:46] need for the work ahead. [40:48] We remember the night you gathered your [40:50] friends to eat together in the midst of [40:53] their fears and yours. [40:55] It was a common meal transformed into [40:58] elements of grace to be shared, [41:01] remembered, and celebrated by [41:03] generations upon generations. [41:06] You took a simple loaf of bread, [41:10] blessed it, [41:12] broke it, [41:14] shared it, saying, "Take, [41:18] eat, [41:20] do this in remembrance of me. [41:34] Then you took a cup of wine, [41:37] blessed it, passed it, saying, "Drink [41:41] from it all of you. [41:44] For this is love [41:47] poured out for you [41:49] and for many. [41:55] Because of these simple and remarkable [41:58] acts, we offer ourselves to be your [42:02] hands and feet. [42:05] And we proclaim the mystery of our [42:07] faith. [42:09] >> Christ was executed. [42:12] >> Christ is risen. [42:15] >> Christ will come again. [42:19] >> Let us pray. [42:21] Holy imaginative God, you who dreamed [42:24] and created a world full of colors, [42:27] textures, shapes, sizes, depths, and [42:30] heights. [42:32] Help us remember your dream of a world [42:36] made whole and complete through love and [42:38] care. [42:40] Transform these gifts of bread and cup [42:42] into courage and strength for the work [42:45] that lies ahead. [42:48] The table has been set. [42:51] Come beloveds, [42:53] let's eat. [42:56] I invite you all to come forward and [42:58] form a circle around the altar to be [43:02] served the elements of bread and cup. [43:19] But we'll wait till we get [43:33] Keep [43:43] your mind. [45:00] Please [45:09] rest. [45:15] Jesus [45:31] Christ. [45:52] Everything. [46:28] Let us join together in the prayer of [46:30] thanksgiving as printed in your [46:32] bulletin. [46:34] Creator God, we thank you for these [46:37] tangible gifts of bread and cup that [46:41] feeds our bodies and nourish our souls. [46:45] May these blessings of grace be shared, [46:49] not hoarded. Though we have been fed [46:52] today at the table. May we still walk [46:56] away hungry for justice, working for [47:00] freedom and fullness for all of your [47:03] creation. [47:05] Amen. [47:06] Giving thanks for all that we have [47:09] received and the ability to share it for [47:13] the good of God's kingdom. [47:15] We share our gifts this evening. [47:18] Our offering will now be received. [47:45] Thank you. [49:01] Glorious. [49:10] Bless [49:22] all [49:32] my heart. [49:43] Let us together dedicate these gifts. [49:46] Generous God, we bring our gifts before [49:50] you and your church like tiny seeds from [49:54] a dandelion. [49:56] Send out these gifts on the mighty wind [49:58] of your spirit, bringing growth, bearing [50:03] fruit, and nourishing both our faith [50:06] community and our neighbors. May each [50:09] gift of every size bloom with your holy [50:13] imagination. [50:15] Amen. Our final hymn this evening is [50:18] number 168. I take the cross of Jesus [50:22] Christ. [50:46] I take the cross of Jesus Christ. [51:01] Oh, [51:04] free mighty. [51:10] I for [51:29] my [51:30] Mercy [51:57] from Oh, [52:02] mercy on us. [52:18] My savior [52:37] is free [52:40] from the sun [52:43] to the [52:47] soul. Heat. Heat. Heat. [53:01] Sh [53:21] on this Lenton journey. May we walk with [53:23] God. [53:25] May we tread lightly upon the earth. [53:29] May we return and be renewed. [53:33] Amen. [53:56] I love [54:04] you. [54:21] Amen. [54:23] Amen.  ## 📺 Video ![](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn1VXQDMtvk) --- # 📝 Full Notes (Deep-Read Analysis) # 🏷️ Title: Ash Wednesday Service - Beginning the Season of Lent ## 🧰 Action Inbox - [H1] Consider Lenten discipline practice — devotional life focus instead of giving up luxuries #spiritual-discipline - [H2] Stock community pantry — practical outreach through gift cards and food items #community-service - [H3] Practice authentic faith — avoid performative righteousness, focus on genuine relationship with God #authenticity ## 🧭 Table of Contents - [📝 Summary](#-summary) - [📖 Main Content](#-main-content) - [🗒️ Notes](#️-notes) - [📚 References](#-references) - [🗣️ Paraphrase](#️-paraphrase) - [📰 Newsletter](#-newsletter) - [✅ Action Items](#-action-items) - [🧪 Hypotheses](#-hypotheses) - [📊 Methodology](#-methodology) - [❓ Questions](#-questions) - [🔮 Future Research](#-future-research) - [💡 Implications](#-implications) - [🧠 Learning Styles Assessment](#-learning-styles-assessment) - [📊 Accessibility Assessment](#-accessibility-assessment) - [🌍 DEIB Assessment](#-deib-assessment) - [✅ Logical Validity](#-logical-validity) - [🛡️ DARVO Analysis](#-darvo-analysis) - [🎯 Conclusion](#-conclusion) ### 🔗 References - [Joel 2:12-14 Scripture Reading](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joel+2%3A12-14&version=NRSV) - [Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 Scripture Reading](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A1-6%2C16-21&version=NRSV) ## 📝 Summary - What happened: An Ash Wednesday worship service marking the beginning of Lent with scripture readings, sermon, and imposition of ashes - Why it matters: Provides spiritual grounding for the 40-day Lenten journey of reflection, repentance, and renewal - Key stakeholders: Church congregation, broader Christian community observing liturgical calendar - Risks and tradeoffs: Balancing authentic spiritual practice with avoiding performative religiosity - Bottom line: Lent calls believers to genuine relationship with God through private devotion rather than public display ## 📖 Main Content The service centers on the tension between authentic faith and performative righteousness, drawing from Jesus' teachings in Matthew 6. The pastor emphasizes that spiritual disciplines like giving, praying, and fasting should focus on deepening relationship with God rather than gaining human approval. The sermon critiques social media culture's emphasis on public displays of charity, referencing a TikTok experiment where someone called churches pretending to need baby formula. This highlighted how even religious communities can fall into performative behavior rather than genuine compassion. The liturgy incorporates traditional Ash Wednesday elements - confession, scripture readings, imposition of ashes, and communion - while emphasizing God's grace and the call to "return and be renewed." The ashes symbolize both mortality and humanity's connection to creation as "stardust." ## 🗒️ Notes #### ⏱️ [00:00](https://youtu.be/Xn1VXQDMtvk?t=0) — Welcome and Call to Worship - Key idea: Ash Wednesday begins Lent as a season of contemplation and grace - Evidence: "We come turning and returning to God... beginning in dust and in quiet, seeking courage to begin again" #### ⏱️ [03:15](https://youtu.be/Xn1VXQDMtvk?t=195) — Opening Prayer and Confession - Key idea: Lenten disciplines are "acts of faithful resistance" toward justice - Evidence: "By these gentle and subversive acts, turn us toward you, toward one another, and toward your vision for a just and liberated world" #### ⏱️ [06:45](https://youtu.be/Xn1VXQDMtvk?t=405) — Scripture Reading from Joel 2:12-14 - Key idea: God calls for authentic heart change, not just external rituals - Evidence: "Rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful" #### ⏱️ [09:30](https://youtu.be/Xn1VXQDMtvk?t=570) — Gospel Reading from Matthew 6 - Key idea: Spiritual practices should be done in secret, not for public praise - Evidence: "When you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing" #### ⏱️ [12:00](https://youtu.be/Xn1VXQDMtvk?t=720) — Sermon Introduction: Competing Voices - Key idea: Modern life overwhelms us with more content than we can consume - Evidence: "Our phones seem to have more capacity than our brains do. There seems to be an app for everything" #### ⏱️ [14:15](https://youtu.be/Xn1VXQDMtvk?t=855) — TikTok Experiment Critique - Key idea: Social media can turn charity into performance rather than genuine care - Evidence: "Was it meant to be a good deed or just a way to seek attention and clicks?" #### ⏱️ [16:30](https://youtu.be/Xn1VXQDMtvk?t=990) — Personal Lenten Practice - Key idea: Lenten disciplines should address individual spiritual needs, not follow rigid formulas - Evidence: "I don't know that I need to give up one of life's joys... So instead, I'm going to be more intentional in my devotional life" #### ⏱️ [18:45](https://youtu.be/Xn1VXQDMtvk?t=1125) — Practical Ministry Examples - Key idea: Authentic care provides dignity and accessibility without fanfare - Evidence: "Our little free pantry stays stocked... someone can quietly stop by and access food" #### ⏱️ [21:00](https://youtu.be/Xn1VXQDMtvk?t=1260) — Chameleon Metaphor - Key idea: Lenten practices help us blend into God's purposes rather than seeking attention - Evidence: "Like chameleons... less concerned with what others think and more on the task at hand" #### ⏱️ [23:30](https://youtu.be/Xn1VXQDMtvk?t=1410) — Ash Imposition Liturgy - Key idea: Remembering mortality affirms our place in God's creation, not our worthlessness - Evidence: "We are not ordinary dust. We are stardust. We are infinite. Created by you, loved by you" #### ⏱️ [28:15](https://youtu.be/Xn1VXQDMtvk?t=1695) — Communion Invitation - Key idea: The table welcomes all people with their full range of human experience - Evidence: "Come with your fears... frustrations... grief... apathy... Come all of you with every part of you" #### ⏱️ [35:00](https://youtu.be/Xn1VXQDMtvk?t=2100) — Closing Blessing - Key idea: Lenten journey combines spiritual depth with earthly responsibility - Evidence: "May we walk with God. May we tread lightly upon the earth. May we return and be renewed" ## 📚 References - [Revised Common Lectionary](https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/) - [Joel 2:12-14 - Call to Repentance](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joel+2%3A12-14&version=NRSV) - [Matthew 6:1-21 - Sermon on the Mount](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A1-21&version=NRSV) ## 🗣️ Paraphrase - Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, calling Christians to authentic spiritual practice focused on relationship with God rather than human approval - Jesus teaches that giving, praying, and fasting should be done privately to avoid the trap of performative righteousness that seeks public praise - Modern social media culture intensifies the temptation to turn charitable acts into content for clicks rather than genuine compassion for those in need ## 📰 Newsletter **Ash Wednesday Worship: Beginning Lent with Authentic Faith** This Ash Wednesday service offers a thoughtful critique of performative religion in the age of social media. The pastor challenges congregants to pursue genuine spiritual disciplines that deepen their relationship with God rather than seeking public validation. Key takeaways include embracing Lenten practices tailored to individual spiritual needs, supporting community through quiet acts of service, and remembering our place as beloved creatures in God's creation. The service beautifully balances traditional liturgy with contemporary relevance. **Practical Applications:** - Consider taking up devotional practices rather than just giving up luxuries - Support community pantries and direct aid without fanfare - Focus on private spiritual disciplines that nurture authentic faith **Community Connections:** Join local churches observing Lent through Bible studies, prayer groups, and service projects that emphasize genuine care over public recognition. ## ✅ Action Items #### Community - Stock little free pantries with food and essential items - Provide gift cards for those needing assistance with dignity - Create accessible outreach that doesn't require church hours #### WordPress - Design: Consider accessibility features for online worship streaming - Community: Support faith-based websites with inclusive language tools - Documentation: Create resources for religious organizations using WordPress #### OSPO - Community Engagement: Partner with faith communities on digital inclusion projects - Policy & Governance: Develop guidelines for respectful religious content - Strategic Alignment: Measure impact of community service technology initiatives ## 🧪 Hypotheses - Authentic spiritual practices lead to greater long-term spiritual growth than performative religious activities - Private charitable giving creates more dignity for recipients than public displays of generosity - Seasonal spiritual disciplines help maintain consistent faith practice throughout the year - Community-accessible resources (like outdoor pantries) serve more people than limited-hours programs ### 📊 Methodology - Survey participants in Lenten practices comparing private vs. public spiritual disciplines - Interview recipients of charitable aid about dignity and accessibility preferences - Track engagement metrics for year-round faith practices vs. seasonal observances ### ❓ Questions - How can religious communities balance transparency with avoiding performative charity? - What role should social media play in authentic faith expression? - How do different generations approach traditional liturgical seasons? ### 🔮 Future Research - Impact of digital technology on traditional spiritual practices - Effectiveness of seasonal vs. year-round spiritual discipline approaches - Community accessibility models for religious outreach programs ### 💡 Implications - Practice: Emphasize private spiritual disciplines over public religious performance - Policy: Create guidelines for dignified charitable assistance programs - Education: Teach media literacy regarding performative vs. authentic online content - Community: Design accessible outreach that respects recipient dignity ### 🧠 Learning Styles Assessment Reading level estimate: 8th-9th grade #### 👀 Visual learners - Present: Traditional liturgical symbols (ashes, communion elements) - Improve: Infographics comparing authentic vs. performative religious practices #### 🔊 Aural learners - Present: Full worship service with hymns, prayers, and spoken word - Improve: Recorded Lenten devotional audio series for daily use #### 🗣️ Verbal learners - Present: Scripture readings, sermon explanation, prayer liturgy - Improve: Discussion questions for small group Bible study #### 🧩 Kinesthetic learners - Present: Physical participation in communion and ash imposition - Improve: Hands-on service projects during Lent #### 🧠 Logical learners - Present: Structured liturgy following traditional Ash Wednesday order - Improve: Timeline of Lenten season with spiritual discipline progressions #### 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Social learners - Present: Community worship, shared meals, group prayers - Improve: Small group Lenten study guides with accountability partners #### 🧘‍♀️ Solitary learners - Present: Individual prayer time, personal reflection during ash imposition - Improve: Private devotional guides with journaling prompts #### 🌿 Naturalistic learners - Present: Creation theology ("stardust" imagery, dust and earth connections) - Improve: Outdoor meditation spaces, environmental stewardship projects ### 📊 Accessibility Assessment #### Screen reader semantics - Present: Clear spoken liturgy and sermon content - Improve: Transcript with proper heading structure and alt text for any visual elements #### Keyboard navigation - Present: Traditional worship requires minimal digital interaction - Improve: Ensure online streaming platforms are fully keyboard accessible #### Contrast and readability - Present: Large-print bulletins available for worship - Improve: High-contrast worship materials and digital content #### Media and captions - Present: Full audio worship service - Improve: Closed captions for any video streaming, sign language interpretation #### Standards reference - Follow WCAG 2.2 AA for any digital worship resources or streaming platforms ### 🌍 DEIB Assessment #### Cultural breadth - Present: Universal themes of mortality and spiritual growth - Improve: Acknowledge diverse Lenten traditions across Christian denominations #### Inclusive language - Present: Gender-neutral language in prayers, welcomes all people - Improve: More diverse examples in sermon illustrations #### Neurodiversity support - Present: Structured liturgy with predictable elements - Improve: Sensory-friendly worship options, quiet spaces #### Representation - Present: Inclusive welcome statement - Improve: Diverse leadership representation in worship planning #### Psychological safety - Present: Emphasis on acceptance and grace - Improve: Clear community guidelines for respectful engagement ### ✅ Logical Validity #### Strong reasoning - Deductive strength: Biblical texts support private spiritual practice over public display - Inductive strength: Examples from social media illustrate broader patterns of performative behavior - Analogical strength: Chameleon metaphor effectively illustrates spiritual focus over attention-seeking #### Fallacies - False dichotomy: Sermon occasionally presents stark either/or choices between authentic and performative faith without acknowledging middle ground #### Tone of voice - Overall tone: Pastoral, contemplative, gently challenging without being condemning ### 🛡️ DARVO Analysis - Deny: No concerning denial patterns - Attack: No attacks on accusers present - Reverse victim/offender: No victim/offender reversal - Emotional cues: Appropriate use of spiritual emotion and reverence ## 🎯 Conclusion This Ash Wednesday service effectively challenges contemporary Christians to pursue authentic spiritual practices while avoiding the pitfalls of performative religiosity. The pastor skillfully connects ancient biblical wisdom with modern social media culture, offering practical guidance for observing Lent in ways that deepen genuine faith rather than seeking public approval. The liturgical elements provide meaningful structure for beginning the Lenten journey with both individual reflection and community support. ## 🧱 Refactor Appendix ### 📚 Literature Split Pad ### [H1] Lenten disciplines resist performative culture > [!quote] Ash Wednesday Service by [MISSING] via YouTube. Published 2024. Accessed 2024-12-28. > "We take on the disciplines of Lent as acts of faithful resistance." Connects traditional spiritual practices to counter-cultural movements. [view highlight](https://youtu.be/Xn1VXQDMtvk?t=195#H1) #spiritual-resistance #liturgical-season ID:rw_ash1 ### [H2] Authentic charity provides dignity and accessibility > [!quote] Ash Wednesday Service > "Our little free pantry stays stocked... someone can quietly stop by and access food." Demonstrates practical theology in community outreach design. [view highlight](https://youtu.be/Xn1VXQDMtvk?t=1125#H2) #community-care #dignity ID:rw_ash2 --- ### 🔖 Atomic Split Pad (Zettel Candidates) #### [Z1] Mortality awareness enhances human dignity - Scope: Christian theology of embodied existence - Pointer: Ash imposition liturgy at 23:30 - Links: [[Creation-Theology --- # 📄 Full Transcript *Auto-generated from YouTube captions · timestamps roughly every 30 seconds · [watch on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn1VXQDMtvk)* **[02:19]** Thank you. Hallelujah. **[03:09]** Good morning. **[04:21]** Go. **[05:28]** Good evening. >> Welcome to our Ash Wednesday service this evening, the start of the season of Lent. We give thanks for the quiet, for the contemplation, and the grace of God. We welcome one another into this time of worship. No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here. **[06:00]** Let us quiet our minds and prepare our hearts for worship. **[08:08]** I invite you to stand as you are able in body or in spirit and join Join in the call to worship. Beloved of Christ, let us enter into this holy space of worship and this holy time of Lent. We come turning and returning to God. We gather knowing that God embraces our whole selves. We come laughing or weeping, rejoicing or mourning, confident or doubting, **[08:41]** carefree or burdened. We begin in dust and in quiet, seeking courage to begin again. We come for God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. We take on the disciplines of Lent as acts of faithful resistance. We come to dream of a world renewed. We imagine a world at peace. We lift our **[09:15]** voices in praise. Let us join together in singing hymn number 169. Lord who throughout these 40 days Lord, you love his **[09:49]** praise. Jesus the grace to our sins and the as you sing. Glory has been **[10:21]** to all and through your forever. Ever I see the soul **[10:58]** with us through his house and praying we make at last name. >> Let us join together in the opening prayer. **[11:28]** God of liberation, you call your people to faithfulness in this and every age. Not through extraordinary displays of religious devotion, but through ordinary things, praying, simple living, acts of generosity. By these gentle and subversive acts, turn us toward you, toward one another, **[11:59]** and toward your vision for a just and liberated world, following the way of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. You may be seated. Siblings in Christ, let us confess our sins to God. Laying down our burden of guilt into the grave of forgiven wrongs where shame is conquered forever. Holy God, you created life from dirt, **[12:30]** breathing air into our lungs and entrusting us to live rightly. Today, as we remember our mortality with ashes and prayer, we confess our tendency to forget. We have forgotten our creator. We have forgotten that we came from dust and we shall return to dust. Remind us of our fragile humanness held delicately in the **[13:00]** palm of your hand. Remind us to observe and appreciate creation, this incredible universe imagined for your glory and life's flourishing. Forgive us for living as if we are invincible. Forgive us for living as if we are powerless. For you are both the great God of all living things and the precious spirit that inhabits each of us. Have mercy upon us, your children. **[13:34]** >> Amen. Beloved God knows we lose sight of our place in creation, falling into arrogance or misery, forgetting God's mercy. Remember and receive God's pardon, and be at peace. Amen. **[14:13]** Tonight's reading is from the book of Joel chapter 2 verses 12-4 in which the prophet calls the people of Israel to genuine repentance. Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning. **[14:44]** Rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from punishment. Who knows whether he will not turn and relent and leave a blessing behind him, **[15:14]** a grain offering and a drink offering for the Lord your God. Amen. **[16:17]** tears and dust. We bow to you with trust when we scares our we **[16:47]** could Here are blessars distress in the savage wilderness. The greatest **[17:19]** song all turning heart by your prayer. I will cross the hell of **[17:58]** I For the dreadful crying **[18:31]** the Holy rising through Christ and might **[19:18]** A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 6:es 1-6 and 16- 21. Listen for what the spirit is saying. Beware of practicing your righteousness before others in order to be seen by them. For then you have no reward from your father in heaven. So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets **[19:49]** so that they may be praised by them by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you. And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen **[20:20]** by others. Truly, I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your father who is in secret. And your father who sees in secret will reward you. And whenever you fast, do not look somber like the hypocrites, for they mark their faces 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 **[20:52]** 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. Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, but where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven. Where neither rust nor moth consumes, and where thieves do not break in and steal. **[21:22]** For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. Will you pray with me? Spirit of the living God, fall aresh on us. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all our hearts be acceptable to you, oh God, for you are our rock and our redeemer. **[21:55]** Amen. Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent, an annual call to faithfulness for the long haul and a call to return in thought and action if you have veered off course. In all three years of the Revised Common Lectionary, we read from the Gospel of Matthew the familiar words from the sermon on the mount about almsgiving, prayer, fasting, and treasures. **[22:27]** These might be considered a divine to do and not do list. Jesus tells us to look at him, not at what others are doing. Jesus tells us to listen to him. Our world is filled with competing voices and platforms and that was before artificial intelligence became so ubiquitous. Our phones seem to have more capacity than our brains do. There seems **[22:59]** to be an app for everything and more content created than we could possibly hope to consume. In November 2025, there was a social experiment conducted on Tik Tok where the creator called churches pretending to be a mother in desperate need of baby formula. Some of the responses were kind and compassionate. Others seemed cold or callous. The internet had a field day. **[23:32]** Was she attempting to point out a growing edge for the church? Was it meant to be a good deed or just a way to seek attention and clicks? Jesus doesn't tell us to do good deeds because they will cause us to be praised. He tells us to be aware of practicing our righteousness before others in order to be seen by them. Whether it is giving or praying or fasting, the point is not the public acclaim. **[24:03]** It is about our deep abiding relationship with the divine, about sustaining ourselves as we walk in a weary and broken world. Give your attention to the things of God. We are invited to return and to be renewed. At our gathering for Bible and a beer on Monday, we talked about the season of Lent. Not everyone there had grown up in a lurggical tradition. So for them, Ash **[24:34]** Wednesday was still a fairly new concept, almost like visiting a foreign country where you don't know what utensils to use to order whatever it is has appeared off the menu. Lent can invite us to set aside something that keeps us away from God. Alternatively, Lent can invite us to take up something that draws us toward God. It has been a hard year. I don't know **[25:07]** that I need to give up one of life's joys or pleasures, such as chocolate. So instead, I'm going to be more intentional in my devotional life this Lent. I've selected a few print and audio options to use each day to sustain my heart and mind. I want to be drawn even closer to God, to focus on my relationship with Christ. What you do in these 40 days will be **[25:37]** determined by what you need this year. how your head and your heart, your spirit and soul are responding to the Holy One. God invites us to practice care in ways that heal, not impress. So, while we do not have baby formula on hand, we do keep gift cards to Walmart for those who need a little help. $15 doesn't necessarily go very far, but **[26:08]** it does give dignity and choice to someone who needs food or gas or clothing. Our little free pantry stays stocked because of the generosity of those in our congregation and community who stop by and add a few items. And because the little free pantry is outside, we don't have to be open for someone to quietly stop by and access food. Our faith isn't for show. It cannot be bought or bargained for. It is **[26:41]** to be genuine. So it's not that we don't engage in public life. It isn't that we hide away in shame. After all, God is love and God desires love. God loves when our giving, praying, and fasting are honest and kind. Jesus doesn't invite us to put on a performance. He invites us to offer our hearts and lives in relationship. However you honor this season **[27:13]** in whatever way you mark the time, it is to be genuine. It is to be true. It is to be loving and kind. I still believe that Lent is about love. the love that God had for Jesus and that Jesus had for the whole world. We are invited to return and to be renewed. So, in full confession, I've **[27:43]** deliberately chosen to only own animals that have fur. I am not a reptile person. Pastor Jessica, the pastor of my home church, Grenell UC, has a menagerie, including a blue tonged skink. More power to her. Yet, in my preparation for tonight, I thought about a reptile, **[28:15]** a chameleon, and how they are designed to blend in rather than stand out. So the goal is not to be noticed. After all, in the animal kingdom, you are either a predator or you are prey. A chameleon, though, can hide in plain sight, focusing on finding food rather than on avoiding predators and becoming food. Our Lenton practices are a little bit **[28:47]** like being a chameleon. They're not about standing out. They are about helping us to focus on what matters. In our case, to focus on God. So, no wonder Jesus tells us to not make it obvious if we are fasting or praying or giving alms. It's not really about us. It's about God. How we relate to God our father in heaven and Jesus here on earth. **[29:18]** So maybe we can be a little like chameleons this Lent. Less concerned with what others think and more on the task at hand. How we remain in relationship with the divine. However you decide to observe this season. May we together begin with courage to tell the truth and live with mercy. May we indeed return and be renewed by the love and mercy of God. **[29:49]** Amen. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a time of discernment, reflection, **[30:20]** and growth. We pause now to remember our mortality and the cycle of life, birth, death, and new life. In the same manner, may we also remember the cycle of prophetic imagination. critique, lament, imagine. We are called as God's people into both of these cycles, providing renewal and hope. As these ashes are placed on your forehead or hand, remember you were **[30:51]** formed from the dust of the earth and given life by the breath of God. Remembering we are dust doesn't diminish our worth or cleanliness. Rather, it affirms our integral, connected place in this beautiful work of God's love. We were made with love. And when we die, God will receive us with love. Let us pause today to remember our mortality, thank God for this precious life, and **[31:24]** commit ourselves to the work of imagination. Remember, you are dust and to dust you shall return. I invite you to come forward through the center aisle to receive the imposition of ashes. **[33:39]** Are you over there? away. **[34:42]** I think I'm **[35:17]** You want me? Let us join together in prayer. **[35:54]** Gracious God, you continue to amaze us, to surprise us, to delight us, and to sustain us in these signs of our mortality, the ashes made from the palms, and the oil of anointing. You remind us of how cared for we are. For we are not ordinary dust. We are stardust. **[36:24]** We are infinite. Created by you, loved by you, and we return to you. Continue to abide with us in this season, oh God. May we follow faithfully as we journey with you to the cross. All this and so much more we pray in Jesus' name. praying the prayer that he taught us to pray. Our >> Father in heaven **[36:55]** be named thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our templor. Amen. **[37:40]** Now is the time in the service we set aside to remember. We remember Jesus who named and claimed this meal of bread and wine as holy. We remember countless others who came before us eating these same elements inspired at this same table. We remember all of those who will come after us eating these same elements **[38:14]** energized to continue the work of imagination. Know that when you come to the table, you don't come alone. Know that when you come to the table, you don't have to be perfect. Come with your fears to be reassured. Come with your frustrations to renew your hope. Come with your grief to be held in love. Come with your apathy to **[38:45]** taste imagination. Come all of you with every part of you. Come God be with you. >> And also with you. >> Lift up your fears, your hopes, your dreams. >> We lift them up to God. Let us give thanks to our generousness, imaginative God. We give our thanks and praise. It is a joyous occasion when we come to give thanks to you, oh God. **[39:18]** creator of heaven and earth. In this season of Lent, as we journey with you through the wilderness, through Judea and Galilee, and on the road to Jerusalem, may we pay attention to your work. You healed the hurting, fed the hungry, listened to the women, widows, and children. Though the empire attempted to silence you and stop your work, love persevered. Love grew. Love prevailed. **[39:52]** That same love which did not give in calls us to speak out. That same love which did not stay down calls us to stand up and join in the work of thy kingdom come, which is the work of justice and love for all. And so with your people on earth and all the saints who have gone before us, we praise your name and join in the unending hymn. **[40:23]** >> Holy, holy, holy Lord God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosana in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. >> Hosana in the highest. >> Knowing you have equipped us with all we need for the work ahead. We remember the night you gathered your friends to eat together in the midst of their fears and yours. **[40:55]** It was a common meal transformed into elements of grace to be shared, remembered, and celebrated by generations upon generations. You took a simple loaf of bread, blessed it, broke it, shared it, saying, "Take, eat, do this in remembrance of me. **[41:34]** Then you took a cup of wine, blessed it, passed it, saying, "Drink from it all of you. For this is love poured out for you and for many. Because of these simple and remarkable acts, we offer ourselves to be your hands and feet. **[42:05]** And we proclaim the mystery of our faith. >> Christ was executed. >> Christ is risen. >> Christ will come again. >> Let us pray. Holy imaginative God, you who dreamed and created a world full of colors, textures, shapes, sizes, depths, and heights. Help us remember your dream of a world **[42:36]** made whole and complete through love and care. Transform these gifts of bread and cup into courage and strength for the work that lies ahead. The table has been set. Come beloveds, let's eat. I invite you all to come forward and form a circle around the altar to be served the elements of bread and cup. **[43:19]** But we'll wait till we get Keep your mind. **[45:00]** Please rest. Jesus **[45:31]** Christ. Everything. **[46:28]** Let us join together in the prayer of thanksgiving as printed in your bulletin. Creator God, we thank you for these tangible gifts of bread and cup that feeds our bodies and nourish our souls. May these blessings of grace be shared, not hoarded. Though we have been fed today at the table. May we still walk away hungry for justice, working for **[47:00]** freedom and fullness for all of your creation. Amen. Giving thanks for all that we have received and the ability to share it for the good of God's kingdom. We share our gifts this evening. Our offering will now be received. **[47:45]** Thank you. **[49:01]** Glorious. Bless all **[49:32]** my heart. Let us together dedicate these gifts. Generous God, we bring our gifts before you and your church like tiny seeds from a dandelion. Send out these gifts on the mighty wind of your spirit, bringing growth, bearing **[50:03]** fruit, and nourishing both our faith community and our neighbors. May each gift of every size bloom with your holy imagination. Amen. Our final hymn this evening is number 168. I take the cross of Jesus Christ. **[50:46]** I take the cross of Jesus Christ. Oh, free mighty. I for **[51:29]** my Mercy from Oh, **[52:02]** mercy on us. My savior **[52:37]** is free from the sun to the soul. Heat. Heat. Heat. Sh **[53:21]** on this Lenton journey. May we walk with God. May we tread lightly upon the earth. May we return and be renewed. Amen. **[53:56]** I love you. Amen.