Lakewood Ranch church celebrates 'Ash Wednesday'

Harvest United Methodist Church in Lakewood Ranch will usher in the Easter holiday with a “drive-thru ashes” event March 1 to celebrate the start of Lent.

Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline.

At many Ash Wednesday services, a clergy person will lightly rub the sign of the cross with ashes onto the foreheads of worships as a sign of mortality and repentance. Harvest will offer such an opportunity for the public from 7 to 9 a.m. at Harvest’s Lakewood Ranch campus, 14305 Covenant Way, Lakewood Ranch.

A team of Harvest clergy and members will greet motorists with free coffee, prayer, the imposition of ashes and an invite to visit the church.

For information, visit welcometoharvest.org.