Nicaraguan church observes Ash Wednesday

Pastor Ruffino (background) and Pastor Rev. Guillermo observe Ash Wednesday in Granada, Nicaragua

by Leonardo Neitzel

Ashes placed on the forehead in the sign of the cross marked the children’s worship service at Jesu Cristo Rey de Reyes (Jesus Christ King of Kings) in Granada, Nicaragua this Ash Wednesday, March 9. Lutheran Church–Canada missionary, Rev. Rufino Quintero Lainez and Iglesia Luterana Sínodo de Nicaragua pastor, Rev. Guillermo Zuniga led children and their families in the service focused on mourning for our sins, repentance, and forgiveness from the cross of Jesus.

The church was crowded as the pastors shared the Gospel message about the Christ’s suffering on behalf of all people, beginning with His temptation by Satan during the forty days in the desert and culminating with his death on the cross. The pastors strengthened the people in the comfort of Jesus’ sacrifice and death on our behalf, encouraging all in their life of gratitude for the blessing of life and salvation through Him. They called participants to observe the forty days of Lent with gratitude to Him as they made the sign of the cross with ashes on the forehead of all worshippers.

As in Granada, the entire Christian church is called to observe this season of the Church Calendar with repentant hearts, with gratitude and comfort that Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world; that He accomplished or completed the salvation for all people when He shed His blood on the cross; that whoever believes in Him as Saviour will never perish, but will have eternal life; that His salvation is available for all and He desires to grant it to all who believe in Him as Saviour.

We rejoice with the Lutherans in Granada and pray that the message of the Gospel shared and proclaimed on Ash Wednesday produces the fruits for the salvation of all who believe.

 Rev. Dr. Leonardo Neitzel is Lutheran Church–Canada’s executive responsible for overseas missions.

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