Home › Blog › Lent

Lent

Ash Wednesday Service Bulletin Guide for February 10, 2027

October 29, 2026 · LanternLetter Co.

Ash Wednesday is a weeknight service that many people attend without knowing quite what will happen. The bulletin does most of the explaining: what the ashes mean, when to come forward, and that it is fine not to. This guide covers one service only. For planning the whole season from Ash Wednesday to Easter, see our Lent bulletin guide. Practice varies between traditions, so check the order and readings with your pastor.

Key dates for early 2027

Transfiguration Sunday (in churches that observe it on the last Sunday after Epiphany): February 7, 2027
Shrove Tuesday (pancake suppers): February 9, 2027
Ash Wednesday: February 10, 2027
First Sunday in Lent: February 14, 2027, which is also Valentine's Day
Palm Sunday: March 21, 2027, and Easter Day: March 28, 2027

Ash Wednesday falls 46 days before Easter, so the early Easter in 2027 brings it into the second week of February. That leaves less time after Epiphany than usual, so start the Ash Wednesday bulletin in January.

Readings

In the Revised Common Lectionary, the Ash Wednesday readings are the same every year: Joel 2:1–2, 12–17 (or Isaiah 58:1–12); Psalm 51:1–17; 2 Corinthians 5:20b–6:10; and Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21. The Catholic lectionary uses Joel 2:12–18, Psalm 51, 2 Corinthians 5:20–6:2 and Matthew 6:1–6, 16–18. Print the references, and print the full text only in a translation your church has permission to reproduce.

A sample order of service

A simple shape that fits many Protestant services; adapt it to your tradition:

Gathering in silence, or a quiet prelude
Call to worship and opening prayer
Hymn
Readings, with Psalm 51 said or sung together
Sermon or reflection
Invitation to the observance of Lent
Prayer of confession
Imposition of ashes, with quiet music
Words of assurance
Communion, if your church celebrates it on Ash Wednesday
Closing prayer and dismissal, often in silence

Many churches leave the dismissal without a postlude, so print a line such as Please leave in silence so guests aren't left waiting.

Explaining the ashes on the page

A short boxed note near the imposition helps guests and children. You might adapt this:

Ashes are an old sign of repentance and of our mortality. As you receive them, usually as a cross on the forehead, the minister will say words such as “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” You are welcome to come forward for ashes, to receive a blessing instead, or to remain seated and pray. Children are welcome to come forward with you.

The phrase about dust comes from Genesis 3:19. Some churches use “Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15) instead, so print the words your minister will actually use. If your ashes are made from last year's Palm Sunday palms, it is a nice detail to mention.

Wording you can adapt

Welcome: “Welcome to our Ash Wednesday service, the first day of Lent. Tonight is quiet and simple. Everything we say together is printed here, and you are welcome to take part as much or as little as you wish.”
Coming forward: “When the usher reaches your row, come forward by the center aisle and return by the side aisles. If you would like to receive ashes at your seat, please tell an usher.”
Allergies and skin: “If you would rather not receive ashes on your skin, you may ask for a blessing, or ashes on the back of your hand.”
Lent invitation: “During Lent, we invite you to [midweek study, a Lenten devotional, a food collection]. Details are on the back page.”
Looking ahead: “Join us on the First Sunday in Lent, February 14, at [time].”

For more announcement formulas, see our announcement wording guide.

Design and print tips

Use a restrained cover: purple, grey or charcoal, with a simple cross or ash texture. Many churches use purple for Lent and some use black or grey on Ash Wednesday itself.
Keep it to a single folded sheet. Ash Wednesday services are short and often in a dimmer room, so use larger type. Our large-print guide has sizes.
Put the full Lent schedule on the back page, through Holy Week and Easter (see our Holy Week and Easter guide).
If you hold a noon and an evening service, print the time on the cover or print two versions.
Consider a Lent devotional insert or bookmark that people can take home.

Timeline

Early January: confirm service times, who will impose ashes, and whether you will hold communion. Order or prepare ashes.
By January 24: announce Ash Wednesday and Shrove Tuesday in the bulletin and newsletter.
By February 1: finish the order of service and the Lent schedule for the back page.
February 7: print the Ash Wednesday times in the Transfiguration Sunday bulletin.
By Monday, February 8: proof and print, so nothing is left for Shrove Tuesday.

Frequently asked questions

When is Ash Wednesday in 2027?

Ash Wednesday is February 10, 2027. Easter is March 28, 2027, and Ash Wednesday always falls 46 days before Easter. The First Sunday in Lent is February 14, 2027.

What are the Ash Wednesday readings?

In the Revised Common Lectionary they are the same every year: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 or Isaiah 58:1-12; Psalm 51:1-17; 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10; and Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21.

What should an Ash Wednesday bulletin include?

The order of service, the readings, a short explanation of the ashes and what the minister will say, clear instructions for coming forward and the option to stay seated, and the Lent schedule through Easter.

What words are said when ashes are given?

Common words are “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” based on Genesis 3:19, or “Repent, and believe in the gospel,” from Mark 1:15. Print the words your minister will use.

When should we print the Ash Wednesday bulletin?

Announce the service from late January, put the times in the February 7 bulletin, and proof and print by Monday, February 8, 2027.

Want Lent done for you?

On our done-for-you monthly plans, you send the order of service and we send back a print-ready Ash Wednesday bulletin, with the same Lent design carried through to Easter. Browse Lent and other templates in the shop, or start with this season: get a free Advent cover with your church's name on it.