Hello, Church of the Cross family,

In light of the severe weather that is likely coming our way, we have decided to postpone our Ash Wednesday services a week to Wednesday, March 1.

However, today is still Ash Wednesday and marks the beginning of Lent. So I would encourage you to read through the Ash Wednesday liturgy at some point today, which you can find here (scroll down the page to the Ash Wednesday service under the heading "Special liturgies of Lent and Holy Week.")

I’d also encourage you to consider how you can mark this season in the traditional ways Christians have for centuries; through fasting, setting aside additional time for prayer, and considering the call to give to those in need.

We will share a few different Lenten resources with you over the next week, including some devotional materials, a shared Bible memorization project, and opportunities for generosity.

Perhaps the combination of the beauty of the falling snow alongside the many challenges it brings (like lots of shoveling!) is a good reminder of the emphasis in Lent on the abundant mercy God pours down on us, and how much we need that mercy in our falseness and frailty.

Thank you for your flexibility, and I look forward to seeing you this Sunday as we begin the season of Lent together.

Yours in Christ,

Christian Ruch