First United Methodist Church, at 861 Middle St., will host Ash Wednesday services Feb. 25 at noon as part of the Montevallo Ministerial Association’s annual Lent and Easter community events.

Pastor Wendy Hare of Montevallo Presbyterian Church will lead the service, said Buddy Freeman, retired pastor of First United Methodist and Montevallo Ministerial Association member. A soup and salad lunch will precede the service.

Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent, the 40-day season of fasting and prayer before Easter. The Montevallo Ministerial Association has sponsored its Lent and Easter community events since 1994. Freeman said the events serve to strengthen Shelby County’s Christian community.

“These events provide an opportunity for Christians from all churches and denominations to get together,” Freeman said.

Beginning next week, the association will host the first of six soup-and-salad Lenten Lunches at First United Methodist. The lunches, which will feature guest speakers from area churches, will be held each Wednesday leading up to Easter. The cost of lunch is $2.

Freeman said the lunches should not interfere with people’s work schedules if they choose to attend.

“We start at noon and we dismiss before one o’clock so people who are eating lunch can get back to work,” Freeman said.

On Palm Sunday, April 5, the association will host a parade beginning at 9 a.m. outside St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, at 935 Plowman St., Montevallo. The parade will travel down Main Street before it concludes at First United Methodist, Freeman said.

The events conclude on Easter Sunday, April 12, with a 6:30 a.m. sunrise service at University Baptist Church, at 440 Overland Road, Montevallo. A continental breakfast will follow the service.

For more information, call 665-4294.

Lenten Lunches Schedule

March 4: The Rev. Robin Norsworth, University Baptist Church, Montevallo.

March 11: The Rev. Ray Dunmyer, St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Montevallo.

March 18: The Rev. W.T. Evans, Faith Baptist Church, Montevallo.

March 25: The Rev. Jim Tuohy, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Montevallo.

April 1: The Rev. Mark Davenport, First Presbyterian Church, Alabaster.

April 8: The Rev. Jay Kieve, Crosscreek Baptist Church, Pelham.