#1--ORDER
OF WORSHIP
ASH WEDNESDAY
SERVICE
”A Journey Through Lent”
GATHERING
PRELUDE /
LIGHTING OF CANDLES
GREETING
INTRODUCTION OF SERVICE
This Ash Wednesday service is a “Journey through Lent and Holy Week” in
that it gives a preview of some of the readings that we will explore throughout
the upcoming season--readings from our lectionary. The Scriptures will be read
by different readers and at the end of the service we will watch a meditation on
some of the key verses from our Scripture readings.
OPENING SONG
INTERCESSORY PRAYER
SONG #2 (verse 1&2)
SONG #2 (verse 3&4)
SONG #3 (verse 1&2)
SONG #3 (verse 3&4)
CHOIR or SONG
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Merciful God, we come to you in the name of Jesus, your Son
and our High Priest. We confess that there are times when we go against your
hopes for us as your people. We confess that there are times when we go
against your Word for us. In silence, O LORD, hear us as we confess those
things we have done, and those things we have neglected to do; times when we
have failed you and each other. . .
(Time of silence)
Loving God, we ask you once again to receive us into your compassionate,
forgiving arms that we might find favor with you for all the days of our lives,
now and forevermore. Amen.
TIME FOR SILENT PRAYER
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Hear the good news! Who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ, and Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us. Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old life has gone; a new life has begun. Know that you are forgiven and be at peace!
COMMUNION SERVICE
VIDEO PRESENTATION
“A Journey through Lent”
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ASHES
CLOSING SONG
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
#2 -- Complete Ash Wednesday Service
(with a service for the imposition of ashes)
Opening Reading: "I acknowledge my transgressions."
To sin is mortal. Only God is perfect. Our greatest weakness is our failure to recognize our spiritual limitations and the inevitableness of sin. Our most common sin is the smug self-satisfaction that we are not as other people. The self-righteous are farther from the Kingdom of God than the penitent sinner. He who prays loud and long might not be heard while the sobbing, whispered prayer may open the Fount of Grace. Honest, searching, examination of our faith, of our religious practices, of our sincerity, and of our soul satisfying experiences is necessary at times to discover and to acknowledge our sins of omission and our sins of commission. Most often it is the habitual sin from failure to lead a full, vibrant, productive religious life which we do not discover and which if we did discover we would not acknowledge before God.
Call to Worship (responsively)
L: Rend your hearts and not your clothing.
P: Return to the Lord, your God.
L: For God is gracious and merciful, God is slow to anger.
P: God is abounding in steadfast love, and he relents from punishing.
L: Come let us draw near to God!
Suggested Opening Hymn: "Have Thine own Way"
Words of Exhortation
We beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For your sake God made to be sin. The One who knew no sin, so that in this very one we might become the righteousness of God. For God says, "At the acceptable time I have listened to you and helped you on the day of salvation." Now is the acceptable time. Now is the day of salvation.
Hebrew Scripture Lesson: Joel 2:1-2,12-17a
Psalm of Confession: Psalm 51
Reader 1:
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; you who have great
mercy, forgive what I have done.
Reader 2:
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
Reader 1:
For I know what I have done wrong; my sins are ever before me and heavy on my
heart.
Reader 2:
Against you, God, you only, have I sinned; you who know all things know what
I have done. You have every right to judge me for my actions and every right to
punish me for them.
People:
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within
me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Reader 1:
In the time since I was born, I have committed many sins, and done many things
which I wish I had not done.
Reader 2:
God, you want me to be truthful to my very core; therefore, teach me wisdom
in the depths of my heart.
Reader 1:
If you will do it, O God, I shall be clean, wash me, and I shall be pure.
Reader 2:
Fill me with joy and gladness!
People:
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within
me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Reader 1:
Then I will lead others to return to you, O God, and learn your ways.
Reader 2:
Deliver me from my guilt, O God of my salvation, and I will sing aloud of
your deliverance. I will sing your praises.
Reader 1:
You take no delight in sacrifices; you would not be pleased if I were to offer
one to you.
Reader 2:
The sacrifice acceptable to you is a broken spirit; a contrite heart, O God,
you will not reject.
People:
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within
me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Time for Silent Prayer
Assurance of Pardon
Suggested Hymn: "I Surrender All"
Epistle Lesson: 2 Corinthians 6:3-10
Gloria Patri
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
As it was in the beginning, both now and always, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Gospel Lesson: Matthew 6:1-6,16-21
Homily or Devotion
Pastoral Prayer
Prayers of the People
Blessing of the Ashes
May these ashes be to us, O God, an acknowledgment of our wrongdoing and our acceptance of your forgiveness. In these ashes are our prejudices, our impatience, the times we have turned our backs on the suffering of others, our neglect of the environment, our indifference, our materialism, our greed, our hypocrisy, our envy, all of our sins. In these ashes of repentance are the seeds of our forgiveness and our transformation. For God always accepts us and forgives us. Through our repentance and forgiveness comes transformation. May God create within each of us a clean heart and a new and right spirit.
Imposition of Ashes
"Create in [name] a clean heart and put a new and right spirit within her/him."
Suggested Closing Hymn: "Just As I Am Without One Plea"