Ash Wednesday Outdoors Service

On Ash Wednesday, the day marking the beginning of Lent, St. Matthew’s will hold an outdoor service around the front steps at 4:00 pm. This year Ash Wednesday falls on February 17.

Depending on the weather and the number of people wanting to participate, we will either offer up to two separate services at 4:00 and 4:30, or an ongoing offering from 4:00 to 5:00 consisting in the ongoing reading of the litany of penitence and the reception of ashes (where you could arrive any time between 4:00 and 4:55). If mobility is an issue, we are happy to bring ashes to your car window.

Due to concerns about the spread of Covid-19, we will be sprinkling, not imposing ashes, and not saying the words “remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” These words will appear on a large white board alongside a passage from Romans, “remember that you are dead to sin and alive in Christ.”

You will receive more information about this service when we get closer to the date and have a more accurate weather report. In the meantime, please mark your calendars for February 17 at 4:00 pm and let Lars know if you would like to participate (lars@stmatthewsmn.org).