Our Worship Service
SERVICE INFORMATION
Because of the rise of COVID infection rates in the state, we will temporarily be suspending in-person worship. Worship services will be at 10:30 a.m. but will be virtual-only.
Online worship service can be viewed live on Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. Go directly to our Facebook live video page by clicking this link: https://www.facebook.com/WestAvonChurch/live/.
Services can still be viewed anytime after the initial broadcast on our Facebook page, and also on our Youtube page found here: WACC Youtube. Another easy way to view church services is to go to the video's link on the left of this page. You may look at worship services from previous Sundays and Pastor Brian Hardee will post the current Sunday service after it has live-streamed. The posts are open to the public and available to all.
Our church leadership will continue to monitor the COVID situation in our state and community and will make adjustments to worship time and attendance policies as we move into the new year.
Because of the rise of COVID infection rates in the state, we will temporarily be suspending in-person worship. Worship services will be at 10:30 a.m. but will be virtual-only.
Online worship service can be viewed live on Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. Go directly to our Facebook live video page by clicking this link: https://www.facebook.com/WestAvonChurch/live/.
Services can still be viewed anytime after the initial broadcast on our Facebook page, and also on our Youtube page found here: WACC Youtube. Another easy way to view church services is to go to the video's link on the left of this page. You may look at worship services from previous Sundays and Pastor Brian Hardee will post the current Sunday service after it has live-streamed. The posts are open to the public and available to all.
Our church leadership will continue to monitor the COVID situation in our state and community and will make adjustments to worship time and attendance policies as we move into the new year.
ASH WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 17th
Current guidance is that churches should forgo in-person contact for the traditional imposition of ashes this year. In keeping with our efforts to keep people safe and reducing the spread of COVID-19 as quickly as possible, West Avon will not have in-person imposition of ashes this coming Wednesday.
If this is a meaningful practice for you in your preparation for Lent, each of you can certainly experience this moment safely in your own homes. If you have ashes, you can mix them with a tiny amount of oil (like olive oil) and then impose the sign of the cross on your hand or forehead. Be warned, making expert crosses like Pastor Brian does takes years of training (just kidding).
Ashes are not strictly necessary. Some have used soil. Others have used only oil (olive, essential, massage, etc) to make the cross. Anointing with oil has long been a part of Jesus and his disciples’ practice when blessing and healing those in need of God’s grace and love.
Though the ashen cross is visible to others, this ritual is truly meant for you. It is a sign you are making to yourself that you are ready to repent and return to God’s vision for what your life can be. The only person that needs to see this sign and know that the commitment exists is you. In fact, part of the traditional readings for Ash Wednesday includes this from Matthew 6:1 “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.” It is always an interesting text to ponder on that occasion.
When making the sign of the cross for yourself or your loved ones, some of the words you might use are:
“Remember that you are dust and to dust you will return.”
“Remember that you are only human; and remember also that you are loved by God, forever."
“Whether we live or die, we belong to God.”
“What will you do with this one wild and precious life?”
“From these ashes, life will rise."
"Repent, and believe in the Gospel"
Among these, perhaps you will find the words that best express the feeling in your heart as you prepare to examine your life and turn away from that which is not God so you can become closer with God.
If there is anyone who deeply feels they would really feel more connected to this practice if Pastor Brian was to offer it to them individually, please contact him at revhardee@gmail.com to arrange a time to meet safely and privately on Wednesday.
Rev. Dr. Brian C. Hardee
Current guidance is that churches should forgo in-person contact for the traditional imposition of ashes this year. In keeping with our efforts to keep people safe and reducing the spread of COVID-19 as quickly as possible, West Avon will not have in-person imposition of ashes this coming Wednesday.
If this is a meaningful practice for you in your preparation for Lent, each of you can certainly experience this moment safely in your own homes. If you have ashes, you can mix them with a tiny amount of oil (like olive oil) and then impose the sign of the cross on your hand or forehead. Be warned, making expert crosses like Pastor Brian does takes years of training (just kidding).
Ashes are not strictly necessary. Some have used soil. Others have used only oil (olive, essential, massage, etc) to make the cross. Anointing with oil has long been a part of Jesus and his disciples’ practice when blessing and healing those in need of God’s grace and love.
Though the ashen cross is visible to others, this ritual is truly meant for you. It is a sign you are making to yourself that you are ready to repent and return to God’s vision for what your life can be. The only person that needs to see this sign and know that the commitment exists is you. In fact, part of the traditional readings for Ash Wednesday includes this from Matthew 6:1 “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.” It is always an interesting text to ponder on that occasion.
When making the sign of the cross for yourself or your loved ones, some of the words you might use are:
“Remember that you are dust and to dust you will return.”
“Remember that you are only human; and remember also that you are loved by God, forever."
“Whether we live or die, we belong to God.”
“What will you do with this one wild and precious life?”
“From these ashes, life will rise."
"Repent, and believe in the Gospel"
Among these, perhaps you will find the words that best express the feeling in your heart as you prepare to examine your life and turn away from that which is not God so you can become closer with God.
If there is anyone who deeply feels they would really feel more connected to this practice if Pastor Brian was to offer it to them individually, please contact him at revhardee@gmail.com to arrange a time to meet safely and privately on Wednesday.
Rev. Dr. Brian C. Hardee
