Several people have contacted me asking for more details about the family-friendly Ash Wednesday service we did a few years back. This year I revised the service to go along with the wonderful “Lenten Practices Calendar for Families” that Traci Marie Smith has made available.

Ash Wednesday Family Worship

Station 1: Introduction

Open with prayer.

Discuss Lent in general. Have children help prepare front table and take down colorful decorations in sanctuary.

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Talk about spiritual practices in general and about the Lenten Practices Calendar and the “3 Pillars” of Lent: Alms-giving, prayer, and fasting.

Imposition of ashes.

Station 2: Service

Scriptures: Isaiah 58:6-8; Matthew 25:34-40

According to these scriptures, what kinds of things does God want us to do?

Decorate box for congregational food collection. Write an announcement/skit for Sunday asking people to bring food.

Station 3: Prayer

Scriptures: Psalm 51: 1-2, 10-12; Luke 11:1-4

Talk about prayer: When do you pray? How do you pray? What do you pray about?

Make Lord’s Prayer bookmarks; pray Lord’s prayer together.

Station 4: Fasting

Scriptures: Joel 2:12-13; Luke 4:1-2

Talk about fasting.

Hand out Lenten Practices Calendar. Highlight all of the “fasting” days and talk about what it might be like to do that fast. Are there other things you might want to give up for a day or longer during Lent?

Prayer

Benediction