Welcome
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Ash Wednesday Experience

If you're open to it, the next few moments could change the trajectory of your next 40 days. This is an intentional time of patience, prayer, reflection, and hearing from God as we wait for Easter.

How this works: Move through the stations at your own pace. Take your time and help us maintain a quiet and reverent environment.

Step 1 of 5

Station 1 - If you're open to it.

Reflection Guide 45 seconds
Before you do anything, slow down and notice what rises up in you.

Ask: "God, what do you want me to hear in this moment?"
Part of being open is trusting that God wants you to hear from Him. This is you choosing, on purpose, to open the door-even if you don't have the words yet.
Sit with this
0:45

What to do: Light a candle to signify your openness to hearing from God.

Pray this while lighting a candle:
God, may I be open to following your light and hearing your voice.

Step 2 of 5

Station 2 - Confess.

Reflection Guide 45 seconds
This is a moment to be honest about your own brokenness-your sin, your shortcomings, and your need for God.

Ask: "God, what do I need to confess-and what do I need to receive from you?"
Confession isn't vague self-improvement-it's honesty before God about sin and need. We pair confession with communion because grace isn't an idea; it's a Person. We are forgiven and made new because of Jesus's sacrificial love.
Sit with this
0:45

What to do: Grab a card and write something honest about how you've fallen short… the things for which you need His forgiveness and grace. Bring it to the cross and leave it there. Then grab a pre-packaged packet of communion.

Pray this as you take communion:
God, may I be honest with you about my life, and be willing to bring it to you. Help me to keep your son, and His loving sacrifice, central to who I am.

Step 3 of 5

Station 3 - A picture is worth a thousand words.

Reflection Guide 45 seconds
Before you move, slow down.

Ask: "God, how are you getting my attention?"
Then notice what word, feeling, memory, or nudge surfaces.
Words and images are not the conversation itself. They're excavation tools- helping unearth the on-going, ever-present conversation between you and God. A fine question is "What does this mean?" An even better question is "What is this bringing out of me?"
Sit with this
0:45

What to do: Feel free to walk among the images. Sit and watch them go by on the screens. Take notes over which ones stick out to you. Take pictures if you want to.

If you want to keep one digitally, tap an image below to enlarge it. You can download it (or open it) and save it.

Pray this while you reflect:
God, may I have the patience to continue trying to talk with you even when I cannot find the words.

Process:
• How is God getting my attention?
• What is God trying to say to me?
• What will I do about it (in the next 24 hours)?

Step 4 of 5

Station 4 - Give it up.

Reflection Guide 45 seconds
Choose something that creates real space-not guilt.

Ask: "What do I need to lay down to hear you more clearly?"
The point is sacrificing something (and actually sacrificing it) in order to create space to hear from God. Fasting isn't about proving something-it's about making room.
Sit with this
0:45

What to do: Decide what you will give up over the next 40 days to create space to hear from God.

Pray this as you decide:
God, may I rely on you as I look to hear from you.

Then: A host will be ready to make the sign of the cross on your forehead using ashes.

Step 5 of 5

The Next 40

I'm so glad that you went through this experience. It's our hope that this was a meaningful marker to the start of a new season. But this is simply the beginning.

In the Suncrest App: After going through this experience, follow the Lent Reading Plan. Go to the Bible section and tap the Plan button.

As you read scripture and reflect on hearing from God, process these three questions:
• How is God getting my attention?
• What is God trying to say to me?
• What will I do about it (in the next 24 hours)?