TYLER, Texas — Ash Wednesday is a significant holiday within the Christian faith that marks the beginning of Lent, the 40-day period of prayer, fasting and giving ahead of Easter.
Catholics and some other Christian denominations observe Lent as a time to repent and draw closer to God. Ash Wednesday falls six and half weeks before Easter, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In East Texas, several churches are hosting services this Ash Wednesday. Often included in the celebration are ash crosses on people's foreheads. According to USA Today, the ashes symbolize a believer's morality.
Below is a full list of churches hosting Ash Wednesday services, masses and other events:
First Christian Church in Tyler
First Christian Church, located at 4202 S. Broadway Ave. in Tyler, will have two services. The first will be a come and go service from noon to 1 p.m. The reflective experience allows people to move at their own pace with a candle lighting, and the imposition of ashes.
At 7 p.m., people can immerse themselves in a 30-minute service featuring live music, the Ash Wednesday ritual of ashes and readings from scripture.
Christ Episcopal Church in downtown Tyler
Christ Episcopal Church, located at 118 South Bois d’Arc Ave. in Tyler, will host Ash Wednesday imposition of ashes at 7 a.m., noon and 6 p.m.
St. Francis' Episcopal Church in Tyler
St. Francis' Episcopal Church, located at 3232 Jan Ave. in Tyler, will have the imposition of ashes from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., while Ash Wednesday services will be at noon and 6 p.m.
Fairwood United Methodist Church in Tyler
Fairwood United Methodist Church, located at 1712 Old Omen Rd. in Tyler, will have come and go ashes at noon and a formal service at 5:30 p.m.
Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Tyler
Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, located at 423 S. Broadway Ave. in Tyler, will host Ash Wednesday services at 7 a.m., noon and 5:30 p.m. A Spanish service will be held at 7 p.m.
Chapel of Sts. Peter and Paul in Tyler
Chapel of Sts. Peter and Paul, located at 1435 E SE Loop 323 in Tyler, will have Ash Wednesday services at 7 a.m., 12:05 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Marvin United Methodist Church in Tyler
Marvin United Methodist Church, located 300 W Erwin St. in Tyler, will have services at 12:05 p.m. and 6 p.m. for Ash Wednesday.
First Christian Church in Longview
First Christian Church in Longview, located at 720 N 6th St., will have its Ash Wednesday service at noon, and there will be a quick beans and cornbread luncheon immediately after the service.
Saint Andrew Presbyterian Church in Longview
Saint Andrew Presbyterian Church, located at 2500 McCann Road in Longview, will have its service on 7 p.m. Wednesday.
St. Michael & All Angels' Episcopal Church in Longview
St. Michael & All Angels' Episcopal Church, located at 909 Reel Rd. in Longview, will have its Ash Wednesday service at 6 p.m.
St. Matthew Catholic Church in Longview
St. Matthew Catholic Church, located at 2800 Pine Tree Rd. in Longview, will have Ash Wednesday services at 7 a.m., noon and 6 p.m. (all in English) and a Spanish service at 7:30 p.m.
Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Kilgore
Pilgrim Lutheran Church, located at 713 Florey St. in Kilgore, will have an Ash Wednesday service at 7 p.m. with the optional imposition of ashes.
Dayspring Methodist Church in Flint
Dayspring Methodist Church, located at 10896 County Road 169 in Flint, will have a worship service of confession, repentance, and grace at 7:30 p.m.
Christ Episcopal Church in Nacogdoches
Christ Episcopal Church, located at 502 E Starr Ave. in Nacogdoches, will have its Ash Wednesday service at 6 p.m.
Redeemer Lutheran Church and Student Center in Nacogdoches
Redeemer Lutheran Church and Student Center, located at 2306 Appleby Sand Rd. in Nacogdoches, will have its Ash Wednesday service at 7 p.m.
Westminster Presbyterian Church in Nacogdoches
Westminster Presbyterian Church, located at 903 North St. in Nacogdoches, will have an Ash Wednesday service at 5:30 p.m. and a community dinner in Westminster Hall. will follow the service.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Nacogdoches
Sacred Heart Catholic Church, located at 2508 Appleby Sand Rd. in Nacogdoches, will have masses at 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. and liturgy of the word at 12:10 p.m.
St Mary's Catholic Campus in Nacogdoches
St Mary's Catholic Campus, located at 211 E College St. in Nacogdoches, will have liturgy of the word at 12:10 p.m. and mass at 5:30 p.m.
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Nacogdoches
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, located at 1422 County Road 724 in Nacogdoches, will have mass at 5:30 p.m.
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Gilmer
St .Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, located at 2514 FM 852 in Gilmer, will have masses at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. (bilingual).
St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church in Lufkin
St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church , located at 1611 Feagin Drive in Lufkin, will have masses at 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. in English and 7 p.m. in Spanish.
First Christian Church in Lufkin
First Christian Church in Lufkin, located at 1300 S 1st St., will have Ash Wednesday service at 6 p.m. There will be ashes to-go from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and the sanctuary will be open from noon to 1 p.m. for prayer and ashes.