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Each year, in many Christian denominations, Ash Wednesday is celebrated to mark the first day of Lent – recognizing six weeks of penitence prior to Easter. 

Winchester would recognize it as well. 

One such service taking place on Wednesday, March 5, took place at First Christian Church and saw collaboration with the FCC congregation plus First Presbyterian Church and Salem Presbyterian Church. 

“We begin this holy season by acknowledging our need for repentance and for the mercy and forgiveness proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ,” said Jerry Johns, Senior Minister at First Christian Church. “The early Christians observed with great devotion…that before the Easter celebration there should be a 40-day season of spiritual preparation.” 

During the course of the service, music was commonplace. 

Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Have Mercy on Me, O Lord God” was played as a prelude in addition to “Jesus, Priceless Treasure” as a postlude, with the hymns “Just As I Am” and “Forty Days and Forty Nights” plus “Lamb of God” by composer Aaron David Miller being featured. 

A choir also sung the words to Psalm 51:1-12, with verses 1-2 serving as a refrain. 

With First Christian Church working alongside others, Minister Johns was far from the only individual to speak. 

Also speaking was Reverend Don Stanley of Salem Presbyterian Church, who read from 2 Corinthians 5:20 – 6:10, followed by a pastoral prayer from Johns. 

Reverend Wanda B. Olive of First Presbyterian Church was another speaker. 

In addition to reading from Matthew 6:1-6 and 16-21, Reverend Olive delivered a message by the title “Curiosity and Imagination”. 

Highlighting how imagination can fuel creativity, Olive asked others to consider how creativity and imagination can be used to bring about change during this lenten season. 

Among other points, she also emphasized the importance of healing and love. 

“The purpose of lent [and] today’s liturgy is to take a deep look at our lives not just as individuals but as a community,” she said, highlighting the importance of taking action. “We forget that God loved us first. We claim to love others, but act unlovingly toward them.” 

Certainly not least, the event concluded with the prayer over and imposition of ashes, in which congregants were welcomed to have ashes imposed on their heads with a cross. 

The act reflects a sign of penitence, with the words of Genesis 1:19 stating “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return” commonly recited. 

“These ashes lead us to [recognition] of our mortality and penitence, so that we may remember that only by your gracious [love] are we given everlasting life through Jesus Christ,” Johns said.