Greetings Mt. Vernon Family,

Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the Lenten season on the Christian calendar. The imposition of ashes on the forehead and hearing the words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return” reminds us of our mortality. The pandemic has reminded us of how fleeting and fragile life is. On Ash Wednesday, Mt. Vernon will begin our forty-day Daniel fast. Sundays are excluded from the fast. But Lent is ultimately not about what you give up but getting “self” out of God’s way. When we draw near to God through spiritual disciplines such as fasting and prayer, God gives us clarity about who we are in Christ, where we are in our spiritual walk, and His purpose for our lives. I invite you to join us in this time of self-reflection, daily devotions and preparing our hearts before God as we look towards Resurrection Sunday with a renewed sense of commitment. I will pause my sermon series in the book of James and we will explore a new series, “When God Uses All the Pieces.” For God uses our brokenness, the jagged edges of our lives and shapes us in to Masterpieces. Ash Wednesday’s message is “When God Uses Our Rebellion.” We have given out ashes to some and mailed ashes to others. I look forward to seeing you in our virtual Ash Wednesday Service.

Be Richly Blessed,

Pastor Deborah Giles