Wednesday, Feb. 21, begins the season of Lent with the observation of Ash Wednesday, celebrated throughout the world by the majority of Christians.
Masses, church services and celebrations of Holy Communion, are traditionally held on this day at which attendees are blessed with ashes by the minister or priest.
Several local churches have announced Ash Wednesday services for today and tonight.
Fayetteville’s Church of the Holy Cross Charismatic Episcopal Church will hold an early morning Ash Wednesday service at 8 a.m. The church is at Path Finders Plaza, 140 Kathi Ave, Suite I, Fayetteville (behind Michael’s and Radio Shack).
Christ the King Charismatic Episcopal Church will have a brief Ash Wednesday service at the church during the lunchtime hour from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. and another service at 7:30 p.m. with the imposition of ashes and the celebration of Holy Communion. Christ the King is on Ga. Hwy. 34 between Peachtree City and Newnan.
Providence United Methodist Church will have Ash Wednesday services at 7 p.m. this evening. The service will include hymns, a message and imposition of the ashes. Free childcare is provided. Providence is at 592 Bernhard Rd. in southern Fayette County. Call the church, 770-719-8800, for more information.
Peachtree City United Methodist Church will have an Ash Wednesday service at 7 p.m. at the Robinson Road location.
Fayetteville First United Methodist Church will have an Ash Wednesday service at 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary.
Christ Our Hope Lutheran Church will have two communion services on Ash Wednesday, one at noon (a spoken service) and another at 7 p.m. The church is at 2165 Ga. Hwy. 138, Riverdale, just across the Fayette County line.
Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church in Peachtree City will host Ash Wednesday services at 12:15 p.m. and at 7 p.m. The congregation from St. Andrew’s Episcopal will join Christ Our Shepherd for the 7 p.m. service. A reception will follow. Christ Our Shepherd is on the corner of Ga. Hwy. 54 and Peachtree Parkway.
Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Peachtree City will have morning Masses and ashes at 7 and 9 a.m. and afternoon/evening Masses at noon, 4 and 7 p.m. A Spanish Mass will be held at 7 p.m. in Loreto Hall. The church is on the corner of Walt Banks Road and Ga. Hwy. 54.
The Catholic Church of St. Gabriel in Fayetteville will have Masses at 4:30 and 7 p.m. with the Lenten pilgrimage, the Labyrinth Walk, available from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m.
St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Newnan/Sharpsburg will have morning Mass at 9 a.m. and an interfaith service with imposition of ashes at 7 p.m.