Ash Wednesday Online
Three Ways to Experience the Beginning of Lent
“Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the season of Lent.”
That’s how I begin the Ash Wednesday online worship experience I created. It’s sixteen minutes that invite us to sit with, recognize, and embrace our mortality. With familiar words to reflect on, a hands-on arts-and-crafts sermon, and a closing song that invites us to offer ourselves to God, I hope you will spend part of your day with this video as we step into the season of Lent together.
But why have just one Ash Wednesday online experience when you can have three?!
Tonight at 7:00 pm ET Riverside will hold our annual Ash Wednesday worship service in the Nave and online. Join our online congregation from across the country and around the world as we find our way into the Lenten season. This service includes the imposition of ashes, and for those of us online we will be invited to gather on Zoom (similar to how we gather for Communion) for an online experience that involves dirt or dust from your space.
But wait, there’s more.
“You can’t outrun Ash Wednesday.”
These are fitting words for my latest Sermon on the Run.
It’s easy to wipe your forehead clean.
It’s difficult to feel it marked—
crowned with ashes,
with grief,
with solidarity
with all who are ground down into dust by systems that refuse to see them.
The ash on our forehead reminds us
of our mortality,
our complicity,
our brokenness,
and our need—not for a God who flatters us—
but for a God who makes all things new.
Whatever you do today, step into this season of Lent with intention. Experience the invitation Ash Wednesday offers. Remember, from dust you came and to dust you will return. And the steadfast love of God endures forever.
Rev. Jim Keat
Minister of Digital Worship & Education
The Word Made Fresh
We’re in John 11 this week — the story of Lazarus — and it begins quietly: “Now a certain man was ill.” And then Jesus waits. By the time he arrives, Lazarus has been dead four days. The funeral is over. The tomb smells like death. It feels like that kind of moment right now — a very Lenty Lent. Dry. Wilderness. Parched. Four days too late.
But Jesus doesn’t avoid the grief. He stands in the crowd. He weeps. And in the middle of a stench-filled tomb, life speaks. One of the lines we’re holding onto this week is this: love has the power to make a dead heart beat again. That might sound naïve — especially now — but maybe love is still up to something.
This Lent our theme is Love Made Public. Not just private reflection, but love that leaves the house. Love that crosses boundaries. Love that shows up. Because even when it feels four days too late, love still works.
Coming Sooooooon!
This month brings so many ways to connect and engage with Riverside online! Here’s a list of some of the ways that you can join us:
Wednesday, February 18 at 12:30 pm ET: Midweek Bible Study (Exodus 14-15)
Wednesday, February 18 at 7:00 pm ET: Ash Wednesday Worship
Thursday, February 19 at 8:00 pm ET: Circle of Grace with Rev. Charlene Wingate
Sunday, February 22 at 9:00 am ET: Fresh Start
Sunday, February 22 at 9:30 am ET: Open Bible Study with Rev. Jim Keat
Sunday, February 22 at 10:30 am ET: Sunday Morning Worship
Sunday, February 22 (after worship): Virtual Coffee Hour
Wednesday, February 25 at 12:30 pm ET: Midweek Bible Study (Exodus 16-18)
Thursday, February 26 at 7:00 pm ET: Love Made Public (Short Circles)
ICYMI
You can’t keep up with all the incredible things online. But in case you missed it, here are a few from Riverside that you won’t want to miss. Enjoy!
Sunday Sermon:
You made it!
I found some new running buddies this week! Though I think they’re more into trail running while I’m currently training on the roads.
Leave a comment or send me an email and share something from your week!