Immanuel Burns Palms in Preparation of Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent in which Christians reflect upon their own moral conduct and upon their salvation through Christ’s death on the cross. As part of this observance, Immanuel Lutheran Church burned the palm branches from last year’s Palm Sunday celebration on Tuesday. The ashes from these branches are then used for Immanuel’s Ash Wednesday services, Feb. 22.

“In biblical times, the wearing of sackcloth and ashes symbolized the sorrow for one’s sins," said Pastor Michael Lutz, senior pastor of Immanuel, in a prepared statement. "The practice of putting ashes on one’s forehead has been lost in many churches of our day. At Immanuel, all are given an opportunity to have ashes put on their foreheads as part of our Ash Wednesday services. It is hoped that with the ash mark on our foreheads we will witness to those around us that we are Christians and that we believe we are sinful and in need of Christ’s forgiveness."

Immanuel Lutheran Church burns the palms with all of the students of their Christian day school present to help them also realize the importance of this practice.

Immanuel has been practicing the imposition of ashes since 1984, when Lutz became pastor.

Story and photos submitted by Immanuel Lutheran Church.