Christians in Bethlehem joined Christians around the globe Feb. 22 in marking Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, the six weeks of penitence before Easter.

Rosemont Lutheran Church and College Hill Moravian Church are two of the Bethlehem area congregations that observed Ash Wednesday with services.

Rosemont Lutheran at 1705 W. Broad St. offered the individual Imposition of Ashes at noon, with time for people to prayerfully meditate before receiving them.

The Rev. Jack Steltzer, pastor of Rosemont, said the noon Imposition of Ashes was “offered especially for the convenience of those who work, students and those who aren’t comfortable driving at night.”

Those attending at noon were given “Invitation to Lent” and “Confession of Sin” to meditate on before receiving ashes. They were invited to the “discipline of Lent – self-examination and repentance, prayer and fasting, sacrificial giving and works of love – strengthened by the gifts of word and sacrament.”

Rosemont held a full service with Holy Communion, scripture and music at 7 p.m.

College Hill Moravian Church at 72 W. Laurel St. marked Ash Wednesday with a 7 p.m. service during which those attending gathered penitently to dwell on scripture, sing and pray. The choir provided special music at this service that included the Imposition of Ashes. The service was livestreamed so those who could not attend could watch from home.

The Rev. Christine Johnson, pastor of College Hill Moravian, said ashes are “not at the core” of Moravian tradition, but the church is ecumenical in participating in other faith traditions. She did not impose the ashes on people’s foreheads but rather the back of their hand “because you can’t see your forehead,” and she wanted people to focus on the ashes they could see on their hand.

A Drive-Through Imposition of Ashes was held from noon to 1 p.m. in the church parking lot, where Pastor Johnson came to people’s vehicles and offered prayers and applied ashes to the back of their hands.