As we gather on this Ash Wednesday, we embark on a journey of reflection and renewal, marking the beginning of Lent. This 40-day period is a time for deep spiritual preparation, echoing the practices of early Christians who devoted themselves to understanding the Passion and Resurrection of our Lord. It is a season for self-examination, repentance, and reconciliation, inviting us to renew our faith and align our lives with the teachings of Jesus Christ. We are called to engage in prayer, fasting, and self-denial, and to immerse ourselves in God's holy word.

The readings today serve as a clarion call to readiness and transformation. The prophet Joel sounds an alarm, urging us to prepare for the day of the Lord, a day of darkness and light, reminding us of the urgency of repentance. Paul echoes this urgency, calling us to be reconciled with God and to live as ambassadors of Christ, embodying patience, compassion, and righteousness in a world fraught with challenges. Jesus, in the Gospel of Matthew, emphasizes the importance of sincerity in our spiritual practices, urging us to seek heavenly treasures over earthly rewards and to live with integrity and humility.

Reflecting on the past, particularly the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are reminded of the unpredictability of life and the importance of being spiritually prepared. The disruptions we faced then serve as a metaphor for the spiritual readiness we are called to cultivate. Just as we prepared for the unknowns of the pandemic, we must prepare our hearts for the return of Christ, living lives that bear fruit and reflect the kingdom of God.

As we receive the ashes today, let them be a symbol of our commitment to repentance and renewal. Let us embrace the gift of forgiveness and salvation offered by Jesus, and commit to the work of building God's kingdom—a kingdom of mercy, justice, peace, and compassion. May we be ready to show a return on the investment Jesus has made in us, living as fruitful branches on the vine of Christ.

**Key Takeaways:**

- **Urgency of Repentance:** The call to repentance is urgent and necessary. Joel's alarm and Paul's exhortation remind us that the time for reconciliation with God is now. We must not delay in turning our hearts back to God, for the day of the Lord is near, and we must be prepared. [04:07]

- **Living as Christ's Ambassadors:** Paul challenges us to live as ambassadors of Christ, embodying patience, compassion, and righteousness. In a world filled with anxiety and power struggles, we are called to model Christ's love and truth, serving with genuine love and the power of the Holy Spirit. [10:09]

- **Sincerity in Spiritual Practices:** Jesus warns against practicing religion for the sake of public approval. Our spiritual practices should be sincere and directed towards God, who sees what is done in secret. True rewards come from God, not from human praise. [12:24]

- **Preparedness for Change:** The pandemic taught us the importance of being prepared for unexpected changes. Spiritually, we must be ready for Christ's return, living lives that bear fruit and reflect God's kingdom. Change is inevitable, and we must embrace it with faith and readiness. [17:36]

- **Commitment to Kingdom Values:** As we receive the ashes, we commit to living out the values of God's kingdom—mercy, justice, peace, and compassion. We are called to be fruitful branches on the vine of Christ, showing a return on His investment in us. [17:36]

**Youtube Chapters:**

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [04:07] - Joel's Call to Repentance
- [06:30] - Paul's Urgent Message
- [08:45] - Jesus on Sincere Faith
- [10:09] - Reflections on the Pandemic
- [12:24] - Spiritual Readiness
- [14:00] - Embracing Change
- [15:30] - Living as Christ's Ambassadors
- [17:36] - Receiving the Ashes
- [19:00] - Commitment to Kingdom Values
- [20:30] - Closing Prayers and Blessing

**Bible Study Discussion Guide: Ash Wednesday and the Journey of Lent**

**Bible Reading:**
1. Joel 2:1-2 - "Blow the horn in Zion, give a shout on my holy mountain. Let all people of the land tremble for the day of the Lord is coming, it is near. A day of darkness and no light, a day of clouds and thick darkness." [04:07]
2. 2 Corinthians 5:20-21 - "So we are ambassadors who represent Christ. God is negotiating with you through us. We beg you as Christ's representatives, be reconciled to God. God caused the one who didn't know sin to be sin for our sake so that through him we could become the righteousness of God." [06:30]
3. Matthew 6:1-4 - "Be careful that you don't practice your religion in front of people to draw their attention. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven." [08:45]

**Observation Questions:**
1. What is the significance of the trumpet sound in Joel 2:1-2, and how does it relate to the urgency of repentance? [04:07]
2. How does Paul describe the role of believers as ambassadors of Christ in 2 Corinthians 5:20-21? [06:30]
3. According to Matthew 6:1-4, what does Jesus warn against in our spiritual practices, and why? [08:45]
4. How did the sermon connect the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic with the theme of spiritual readiness? [10:09]

**Interpretation Questions:**
1. In what ways does the urgency of Joel's message in Joel 2:1-2 apply to our lives today? How can we respond to this call for repentance? [04:07]
2. What does it mean to be an ambassador of Christ, as described by Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:20-21? How can this role influence our daily interactions? [06:30]
3. How can we ensure that our spiritual practices are sincere and not for public approval, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:1-4? [08:45]
4. Reflecting on the sermon, how can the lessons learned from the pandemic help us prepare for unexpected changes in our spiritual journey? [12:24]

**Application Questions:**
1. Joel's call to repentance is urgent. What steps can you take this week to turn your heart back to God and prepare for the day of the Lord? [04:07]
2. As ambassadors of Christ, how can you embody patience, compassion, and righteousness in your workplace or community this week? [06:30]
3. Jesus warns against practicing religion for public approval. Is there a specific area in your spiritual life where you seek human praise over God's approval? How can you change this? [08:45]
4. The pandemic taught us about preparedness. What spiritual practices can you adopt to be ready for Christ's return? [12:24]
5. Reflect on the values of God's kingdom—mercy, justice, peace, and compassion. How can you live out these values in your interactions with others this week? [17:36]
6. The sermon mentioned the unpredictability of life. How can you cultivate a mindset of readiness and faith in the face of life's uncertainties? [10:09]
7. As you receive the ashes, what personal commitment can you make to embrace the gift of forgiveness and salvation offered by Jesus? [17:36]

Day 1: Urgency in Spiritual Preparedness
In the face of life's unpredictability, spiritual readiness is essential. The messages from Joel, Paul, and Jesus emphasize the importance of aligning our lives with God's will, not out of fear, but as ambassadors of Christ's righteousness. This readiness involves a commitment to living authentically and focusing on heavenly treasures rather than earthly accolades. As we reflect on these teachings, we are reminded of the urgency to prepare our hearts and minds for the work God has entrusted to us. [04:07]

"For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, 'There is peace and security,' then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape." (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take today to ensure your life is aligned with God's will, living as an ambassador of Christ's righteousness?


Day 2: Lessons from the Pandemic
Reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic, we are reminded of the importance of being prepared for life's unpredictability. The pandemic disrupted our lives, much like the warnings of Joel and Paul, teaching us the value of readiness and the need to adapt to change. This readiness extends beyond physical preparedness to spiritual vigilance, ensuring our hearts are aligned with God's purposes. As we face new challenges, we are called to embrace change with faith and courage. [10:09]

"Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." (Hebrews 12:28-29, ESV)

Reflection: How has the pandemic changed your perspective on spiritual preparedness, and what practices can you implement to maintain spiritual vigilance in your daily life?


Day 3: Embracing Change with Faith
Change is inevitable, and while some changes are welcomed, others are challenging. As Christians, we are called to embrace change with faith, trusting in God's guidance and being open to the transformation He desires in us. This involves a willingness to let go of our own plans and embrace the new paths God sets before us. By doing so, we can experience growth and renewal, becoming more aligned with His purposes. [12:24]

"Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:18-19, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are resisting change, and how can you invite God to guide you through this transformation with faith and trust?


Day 4: Authentic Living and Heavenly Treasures
Jesus calls us to live authentically, focusing on heavenly treasures rather than seeking earthly recognition. Our actions should reflect a genuine relationship with God, prioritizing His values and purposes. This involves examining our motivations and ensuring that our lives are a true reflection of our faith. By doing so, we can experience the fullness of life that God intends for us, living with integrity and purpose. [17:36]

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you shift your focus from seeking earthly recognition to prioritizing heavenly treasures in your daily life?


Day 5: Commitment to Repentance and Renewal
As we receive the ashes, we commit to a journey of repentance and renewal. This Lenten season is an opportunity to bear fruit, live as branches on the vine of Christ, and prepare for the work Jesus has entrusted to us. By acknowledging our mortality and our need for God's grace, we can experience true transformation and growth. Let us use this time to deepen our relationship with God and align our lives with His purposes. [17:36]

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: What specific steps can you take during this Lenten season to deepen your relationship with God and bear fruit in your spiritual journey?

"I invite you, therefore, in the name of the church to observe a holy Lent by self-examination and repentance of sins, by prayer, fasting, and self-denial, and by reading and meditating on God's holy word, to make a right beginning of repentance, and as a mark of our mortal nature, let us now kneel or bow our hearts and our heads before our Creator and Redeemer." [00:01:17] (30 seconds) Edit Clip


"Our first reading today could be described as the equivalent of our emergency broadcast system, the radio sounds or siren towers that tell us of tornadoes or other impending community problems. Let us listen as the prophet Joel sounds the trumpets, the emergency alarms to the people of Israel. Blow the horn in Zion, give a shout on my holy mountain. Let all people of the land tremble for the day of the Lord is coming, it is near." [00:03:39] (35 seconds) Edit Clip


"Paul has some of the same urgency as Joel the time is now he calls now is the right time god is coming are you ready paul also calls us to a lifestyle of walking with god in all parts of our lives let us listen so we are ambassadors who represent christ god is negotiating with you through us we beg you as christ representatives be reconciled to god god caused the one who didn't know sin to be sin for our sake so that through him we could become the righteousness of god." [00:04:30] (43 seconds) Edit Clip


"Be careful that you don't practice your religion in front of people to draw their attention if you do you will have no reward from your father who is in heaven wherever you give to the poor don't blow your trumpet as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets so they may get praise from the people i assure you that's the only reward they'll get but when you give to the poor don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing so that you may give to the poor in secret your father who sees what you do in secret will reward you." [00:07:47] (37 seconds) Edit Clip


"Stop collecting treasures for your own benefit on earth where moth and rust eat them and where thieves break in and steal them. Instead, collect treasures for yourself in heaven where moth and rust don't eat them and where thieves don't break in and steal them. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Here ends our readings." [00:08:00] (24 seconds) Edit Clip


"Joel and Paul and Jesus are talking about just-in-case behavior in our readings today. Have you repented of your sin just in case God comes in judgment? Have you gotten straight with God just in case Jesus shows up again? Have you invested in heaven just in case God decides to call judgment day? Most of us don't like to talk about repentance and judgment. We don't want to be judgy Christians. But our readings today talk about consequences." [00:11:56] (35 seconds) Edit Clip


"God created the universe and it was good but we screwed it up Paul calls us to live as Christ ambassadors modeling patience and compassion to communities and people who struggle with power and anxiety Jesus calls us to focus our minds and hearts on God and seek the reward that God offers instead of earth's reward we don't know when God will return but we are reminded on this day of remembrance and repentance that God is watching and God will come again today we have a chance to prepare are we ready just in case." [00:12:24] (46 seconds) Edit Clip


"Are we going to be making progress on the task that Jesus gave us of building God's kingdom today a kingdom of mercy and justice of peace and compassion a kingdom of salvation are we fig trees that are bearing fruit or are we empty and Jesus will curse us cut us down and burn us in the fire are we living as the branches on the vine of Jesus Christ branches that are full of beautiful grapes bearing fruit?" [00:15:02] (38 seconds) Edit Clip


"Today, as we prepare to receive the ashes and prepare our hearts for renewal and restoration during the season of Lent, let us be ready for the sacrifice and the gift that Jesus gives us. And let us be ready to do the work that Jesus has asked of us. Amen." [00:16:08] (25 seconds) Edit Clip


"As is the tradition of the church, today we offer ashes for people to put on their foreheads as a sign of our commitment to Jesus and our sign of our desire to repent and allow Jesus to restore our souls. We offer ashes as we think about the dust that we have come from and the dust that we will return to. We offer ashes and wear them this day as we commit ourselves to repent and turn our lives around." [00:19:21] (40 seconds) Edit Clip


"Jesus Christ offers the gift of forgiveness and salvation to all who come before him confessing the sins of their heart and receiving the salvation that Jesus offers us. As people of peace, let us now pray. to god for the salvation of all creation together let us pray for each other as fellow seekers on a spiritual journey searching for god's peace and mercy in our lives lord have mercy hear our prayer." [00:20:09] (32 seconds) Edit Clip


"May God who has forgiven us now make us strong for these days ahead may Jesus lead us and we be found faithful to follow may the spirit drive us into the wilderness burning away the chaff of our lives and purifying our hearts for all to see and be blessed and may the blessing of God Father Son and Holy Spirit mercy master and fire be with us and remain with us always go in peace to love and serve God and your neighbor amen." [00:21:32] (34 seconds) Edit Clip

Welcome to Ash Wednesday 2025. My name is Annalisa Hunter, and I serve as pastor here at Suamico United Methodist Church. Welcome to this worship service that helps us begin the season of Lent.

Dear Companions in Christ, this is the beginning of a 40-day period when early Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord's Passion and Resurrection. It became the custom of the early church that before the Easter celebration, there would be a season of spiritual preparation for our hearts, our minds, and our souls.

During this season, converts to the faith were prepared for holy baptism. It was also a time when persons who had committed serious sins and had separated themselves from the community of faith found reconciliation through penitent and forgiveness and restored themselves to participation in the life of the church. In this way, the whole congregation was reminded of the mercy and forgiveness proclaimed in the gospel of Jesus Christ and the need we all have to renew our faith.

I invite you, therefore, in the name of the church, to observe a holy Lent by self-examination and repentance of sins, by prayer, fasting, and self-denial, and by reading and meditating on God's holy word, to make a right beginning of repentance. And as a mark of our mortal nature, let us now kneel or bow our hearts and our heads before our Creator and Redeemer. God bless you.

Lord of the Sabbath. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Our first reading today could be described as the equivalent of our emergency broadcast system, the radio sounds or siren towers that tell us of tornadoes or other impending community problems. Let us listen as the prophet Joel sounds the trumpets, the emergency alarms to the people of Israel.

"Blow the horn in Zion, give a shout on my holy mountain. Let all people of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming; it is near. A day of darkness and no light, a day of clouds and thick darkness. Like blackness spread out upon the mountains, a great and powerful army comes, unlike any that has come before them or will come after them in centuries."

Please, ahead after the warning alarms of Joel, we hear Paul calling us to reconciliation with God. Paul has some of the same urgency as Joel: the time is now. He calls, "Now is the right time; God is coming. Are you ready?" Paul also calls us to a lifestyle of walking with God in all parts of our lives.

Let us listen: "We are ambassadors who represent Christ. God is negotiating with you through us. We beg you, as Christ's representatives, be reconciled to God. God caused the one who didn't know sin to be sin for our sake so that through him we could become the righteousness of God. Since we work together with him, we are also begging you not to receive the grace of God in vain. He says, 'I listened to you at the right time, and I helped you on the day of salvation.' Look, now is the right time; look, now is the day of salvation."

We don't give anyone any reason to be offended about anything so that our ministry won't be criticized. Instead, we commend ourselves as ministers of God in every way. We did this with our great endurance through problems, disasters, and stressful situations. We went through beatings, imprisonments, and riots. We experienced hard work, sleepless nights, and hunger.

We displayed purity, knowledge, patience, and generosity. We served with the Holy Spirit, genuine love, telling the truth, and God's power. We carried the weapons of righteousness in our right hand and our left hand. We were treated with honor and dishonor, and with verbal abuse and good evaluation. We were seen as both fake and real, as known and well-known, as dying, and look, we are alive.

We were seen as punished but not killed, as going through pain but always happy, as poor but making many rich, and as having nothing but owning everything.

Our final reading today comes from the gospel written by Matthew. Jesus continues the call to a life lived with God and growing into the values and priorities of God and God's plan for creation and human community. Joel calls us to repentance, Paul calls us to timely obedience, and Jesus reminds us that God knows what we do, where we do it, and when we do it, and the best place to make our investments.

"Be careful that you don't practice your religion in front of people to draw their attention. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Wherever you give to the poor, don't blow your trumpet as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets so they may get praise from the people. I assure you that's the only reward they'll get. But when you give to the poor, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing so that you may give to the poor in secret. Your Father who sees what you do in secret will reward you."

"When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites. They love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners so that the people will see them. I assure you that is the only reward they'll get. But when you pray, you go to your room, shut the door, and pray to your Father who is present in that secret place. Your Father who sees what you do in secret will reward you."

"Stop collecting treasures for your own benefit on earth, where moth and rust eat them and where thieves break in and steal them. Instead, collect treasures for yourself in heaven, where moth and rust don't eat them and where thieves don't break in and steal them. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Here ends our readings.

As I was preparing for Ash Wednesday this year, I found the message that I had prepared five years ago in 2020. We had just moved our church to a new building, and we were celebrating our first Ash Wednesday there. We had new people coming from the neighborhood. It was a beautiful evening, but what we didn't know that night was just a few days later we would be in lockdown, and the world would change in many, many ways.

I'd like to share that message with you today for two reasons. First, many of us have tried to put the disruption of the pandemic behind us, but its impact will be with us for years and possibly for decades to come, and we sometimes need to take a moment to remember how it started. The second reason is the message of being ready for Jesus is just as relevant today as it was in 2020.

Here we go, let's step into our way back machine. I've been watching the news, and I have to admit I have been concerned about this coronavirus pandemic. Overall, I'm not too worried about the medical risk; it sounds like it is similar to the flu. But I am worried about governmental and human reactions.

I have seen reports where all the food is gone from grocery shelves and people are price gouging their neighbors on necessities. Schools closed, streets closed, community gatherings canceled. What if that happens here? What if someone comes to our town with a virus and one other person gets it? Look at how quickly 50,000 people were quarantined in Northern Italy. In China, an area with 60 million people is on lockdown.

Do I have the food at home to last if that were to happen here? I have to admit that I went online last night and bought some dehydrated food supplies. I discovered a lot of survival kits are already sold out. What I bought is also what I use when I go backpacking, so I can use it this summer and next year if I don't need it in a pandemic quarantine. But I bought some supplies just in case.

Now, by the way, I still have some of those supplies, and I hopefully will use them up this year. This is an interesting time capsule where we didn't know yet the coronavirus is more deadly than the flu and causes greater impacts. Our lockdowns didn't quite look like those lockdowns in Northern Italy or in China. There was still a lot of disruption, though. We had empty streets for a while. We had closed down schools and churches.

But I think that the disruption here and this idea of being ready just in case is still something that connects us with the message. Joel and Paul and Jesus are talking about just-in-case behavior in our readings today. Have you repented of your sin just in case God comes in judgment? Have you gotten straight with God just in case Jesus shows up again? Have you invested in heaven just in case God decides to call judgment day?

Most of us don't like to talk about repentance and judgment. We don't want to be judgy Christians. But our readings today talk about consequences. God created the universe, and it was good, but we screwed it up. Paul calls us to live as Christ's ambassadors, modeling patience and compassion to communities and people who struggle with power and anxiety.

Jesus calls us to focus our minds and hearts on God and seek the reward that God offers instead of earth's reward. We don't know when God will return, but we are reminded on this day of remembrance and repentance that God is watching, and God will come again. Today we have a chance to prepare. Are we ready just in case?

Speaking of today and next week and next month and next year, what changes are we facing? Most of us are now used to living with COVID. Some of us have had COVID already this year; some of us expect to have COVID again, just as we expect to have a cold or a flu. It is part of our lives now.

But there are other things that we are facing right now. A bunch of new tariffs have been announced. Is this going to radically change the prices of things that we were expecting to buy? Do we need to change some of our purchasing plans in the near future? Will government programs that we use change? Will we need to save money or make other changes to be able to prepare for those changes?

Most of us don't like change. There are some changes we like. We like getting a new smartphone with all the latest bells and whistles on it. We like it when we have the chance to get a new car. My new car has those backup cameras, and it is just so wonderful. Now my husband is jealous because my car has the hand-warming steering wheel function, and he's discovering his steering wheel is really cold in a Wisconsin winter.

But there's a lot of changes that we don't want to face. We don't want to face the changes of aging. We don't want to face the changes in our community, and we don't like it when people tell us we have to change. We don't even listen when God tells us we have to change.

As we read through the Bible, over and over again, God tells people to change. Moses tells people to change. A whole string of prophets tells us to change. Jesus tells us to change. The Apostles who write the letters in the New Testament tell us to change. And here we are, doing so many of the same things that the saints before us were told they need to change as well.

Are we going to be making progress on the task that Jesus gave us of building God's kingdom today? A kingdom of mercy and justice, of peace and compassion, a kingdom of salvation. Are we fig trees that are bearing fruit, or are we empty? And Jesus will curse us, cut us down, and burn us in the fire. Are we living as the branches on the vine of Jesus Christ, branches that are full of beautiful grapes bearing fruit?

Are we going to be able to show Jesus a return on his investment in us when he returns? Today, as we prepare to receive the ashes and prepare our hearts for renewal and restoration during the season of Lent, let us be ready for the sacrifice and the gift that Jesus gives us. And let us be ready to do the work that Jesus has asked of us. Amen. Amen. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

As is the tradition of the church, today we offer ashes for people to put on their foreheads as a sign of our commitment to Jesus and our desire to repent and allow Jesus to restore our souls. We offer ashes as we think about the dust that we have come from and the dust that we will return to.

We offer ashes and wear them this day as we commit ourselves to repent and turn our lives around. Jesus Christ offers the gift of forgiveness and salvation to all who come before him, confessing the sins of their heart and receiving the salvation that Jesus offers us.

As people of peace, let us now pray to God for the salvation of all creation. Together, let us pray for each other as fellow seekers on a spiritual journey, searching for God's peace and mercy in our lives.

Lord, have mercy. Hear our prayer.

Let's pray for people who are suffering, no matter what the cause. Please bring comfort, care, and healing.

Lord, have mercy. Hear our prayer.

Let us pray for the concerns of our local community as we seek to grow in equality and compassion.

Lord, have mercy. Hear our prayer.

Let's pray for world leaders, justice, and peace in a time of confusion and anxiety.

Lord, have mercy. Hear our prayer.

Let's pray for the earth, with thanksgiving for its bounty and for wisdom and strength to care for it and all life upon it.

Lord, have mercy. Hear our prayer.

Let's pray for the communion of saints who have gone before us and shown us the way toward salvation and grace in Jesus Christ.

Lord, have mercy. Hear our prayer. Amen.

May God, who has forgiven us, now make us strong for these days ahead. May Jesus lead us, and we be found faithful to follow. May the Spirit drive us into the wilderness, burning away the chaff of our lives and purifying our hearts for all to see and be blessed.

And may the blessing of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, mercy, master, and fire be with us and remain with us always. Go in peace to love and serve God and your neighbor. Amen.