Reader :

Today we mark Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Lent is not about guilt or punishment. It is about honesty, reset, and direction.

The ashes we receive today remind us that we are human. We get things wrong. We grow tired. And we are always invited to begin again.

This moment asks us to slow down, pay attention, and choose how we want to live the next forty days.

(Brief silence)

Reader :

When life feels rushed,

All :

We slow down.

Reader :

When we lose focus,

All :

We return.

Reader :

When we feel disconnected,

All :

We open our hearts.

Reader :

When we carry regret or disappointment,

All :

We choose honesty.

Reader :

When we are ready for change,

All :

We begin again.

Reader :

God of mercy and new beginnings,

All :

Meet us here. Amen.

Reader :

There is also this, it’s not too late – God’s personal message! – “Come back to me and really mean it! Come fasting and weeping, sorry for your sins!

Change your life, not just your clothes. Come back to God, your God. And here’s why: God is kind and merciful. God takes a deep breath, puts up with a lot, This most patient God, extravagant in love.

(Pause) The Word of the Lord.

All :

Thanks be to God.

Reader :

Jesus said, “When you do good things, don’t do them to show off. Do them because you love God.

When you pray, talk quietly to God in your heart. God hears you, even when no one else does.

When you give or help others, don’t look for praise. God sees your kindness.

When you make sacrifices or give things up, don’t complain or try to get attention.

Do these things with a happy and loving heart. God sees what is done in secret, and God is always pleased with you.”

(Pause)

The Gospel of the Lord.

All :

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Leader :

Let us take a moment to reflect honestly on our choices. (Pause) When we act without thinking about the impact on others …

All :

Help us be more aware.

Leader :

When we choose comfort over courage …

All :

Challenge us to grow.

Leader :

When we scroll past suffering instead of responding with compassion …

All :

Wake us up.

Leader :

When we ignore our own wellbeing …

All :

Remind us that we matter too.

Leader :

God of mercy, you never stop loving us.

All :

Thank you for forgiving us. Amen.

(Pause)

Reader :

Lent is an invitation to be real about how we are living. Not just what we say we believe, but how we actually treat people day to day.

It asks us to notice the moments we rush past. The times we choose silence instead of speaking up. The chances we had to be kinder, braver, and more generous and did not take them.

Take a moment not to think about where you could have done better. Not to feel guilty, but to be honest.

We ask Jesus to help us see clearly, to open our hearts, and to give us the courage to be young people who bring hope, respect, and compassion into the lives of others.

All :

For the times we have ignored you, God, or pushed you to the side, we are sorry. For the times we have hurt others with our words, our actions, or our silence, we are sorry. For the times we have been too hard on ourselves, or forgotten our own worth, we are sorry. For the times we have chosen judgement over kindness, or comfort over courage, we are sorry.

God, we ask for your forgiveness and the strength to do better.

Leader :

Let us show God’s peace to each other by smiling, waving, or quietly saying, “Peace be with you.”

Leader :

May these ashes remind us of our humanity and our need to begin again. May they call us to live Lent with honesty, courage, and compassion.

As ashes are given today, remember this is a sign of honesty, humility, and hope. Each person is invited to receive ashes as a reminder that change is possible.

Leader :

May these ashes remind us that we are not perfect.

All :

And we do not have to be.

Leader :

May this Lenten season invite us into honesty and growth.

All :

Help us choose better.

Leader :

May we walk these forty days with courage and compassion.

All :

We begin again. Amen.

Leader :

Go now into Lent with intention and courage.

All :

We will begin again.

Leader :

Go in peace.

All :

Thanks be to God.