UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Ash Wednesday marks the first day, or the start of the season of lent, which begins 40 days prior to Easter (Sundays are not included in the count).

The congregation at the United Methodist Church in Upper Lake will mark the beginning of Lent on Wednesday, March 5, at 7 p.m. with an Ash Wednesday service.

The church is located at 604 Clover Valley Road, on the corner of Clover Valley Road and First Street.

Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline.

Ash Wednesday is a wake-up call that hits us squarely between the eyes, forcing us to face mortality and sinfulness.

We hear Scripture readings that are urgent and vivid and during the service the minister will lightly rub the sign of the cross with ashes onto the foreheads of worshipers which symbolizes Christ’s death and resurrection.

The act of imposing ashes on our heads indicates our mortality and our sorrow for our sins. However, as the followers of Christianity, we know that Christ died on the cross to redeem us, so we are granted eternal life in heaven. Marking the cross on a believer’s forehead symbolizes this belief.

On Ash Wednesday we come to church to pray, and to ask God’s forgiveness. We have 40 precious days to open ourselves up most particularly to God, to examine ourselves in the presence of the one who created us, knows us, and loves us.

The Lenten journey with its climax in Holy Week with Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter, is about participating in the journey with Jesus from birth to his death and resurrection. This path may mean for some of us that we need to rid specific things in our lives.

The season of Epiphany will end on March 2 just as it began with a shining star. Join us for our Transfiguration of the Lord Service as we go, like Peter, James and John and follow Jesus up the mountain to the height where we see Him as He really is. By Him and with Him and in Him the glory of God shines.

Another article will appear regarding our Holy Week schedule, April 13 through April 19. The public is invited to all services. Our regular Sunday worship is at 11:00 a.m. Our motto is “Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors.”

Darla Lewis chairs the worship team at the Upper Lake Community United Methodist Church.