ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE
Liturgy
Praise the Lord
Litanies, Prayers, And Occasional Services
Object:
The season of Lent is the time in between two important celebrations of the Christian church. As we leave the celebration of the nativity, the birth of our Savior into the world, and move forward into the celebration of the new life of the resurrection, these forty days can be set aside for serious reflection on our Christian journey.
Lent gives us the opportunity we so often need, to give closer attention to the meaning of God in our lives. It is most often seen as a time to give up something for the sake of our spiritual health. Let us instead take on a new thing for our spiritual life and make this time an opportunity for growth and renewal of our Christian covenant.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me bless God's holy name.
People: Bless the Lord, O my soul; and forget not all God's benefits.
Leader: Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.
People: Who delivers your life from the depths of despair.
Leader: Who restores you with unfailing love and mercy.
All: Bless the Lord, O my soul. (Psalm 103:1-5 adapted)
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of constant care, we confess the weakness of our spirits that falter as we contemplate the wilderness places of our lives. Although Christ goes before us and makes a way out of nothingness, we are afraid to follow where He leads. We come to you in this season of repentance, aware of our inadequacies and confessing our unworthiness.
Forgive us the ease with which we ignore you. Help us to recognize and accept your guiding hand. God, forgive us our fears that cause us to reject your call upon our lives. Free us from the compulsions that move us away from you. Give us grace for daily living, that in this time of renewal, we may discover anew the joy and peace that your blessed assurance brings.
A TIME OF SILENCE FOR PERSONAL CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Gracious is the Lord and righteous; our God is merciful.
(Psalm 116:5)
Great is God's steadfast love toward us. The faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
(Psalm 117:2 adapted)
THE IMPOSITION OF ASHES
In time past, ashes were used as a sign of repentance. May it be a sign to you today of the everlasting mercy of our Savior's love to all who, in true repentance, turn to him.
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
Lectionary readings are recommended.
LENTEN REFLECTION
THE SACRIFICIAL MEAL
INVITATION
Christ our Savior, in the sacrifice of himself, gave us a witness to the great love of God. Christ calls us into this love through the sharing of this meal, prepared as a sacrament to his memory. Around this table we are one in the spirit of God that renews us and restores our life. All are invited. Come and be made new in Christ.
PRAYER OF ACCESS
We do not come to this meal, O God, believing that we are worthy of your great sacrifice, but trusting in the magnitude of your love to carry us through our lonesome days. We hear the call to follow you and our steps are slow. We try to hide from your penetrating gaze, but your light finds us even in the darkest places. Free our longing hearts, and bind us to you with words of love. Fill us with your spirit and grant us grace for the living of these and all our days. In the name of our Savior Christ we pray. Amen.
PASSING OF THE PEACE
Signs of reconciliation and peace may be shared.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
Leader: God is with us.
People: Thanks to our omnipresent God.
Leader: God has blessed us with love.
People: We love because God loves us.
Leader: God has filled us with grace.
People: We rejoice in a full and free salvation.
Leader: We praise you, O God, for the magnificence of your creation, made for the good of all people. We thank you for Jesus Christ, who comes to restore oneness to your people, so that we might all enjoy the fruits of your bounty. We give glory to the presence of the Holy Spirit that enables our work and witness in your name. May we be refreshed and renewed by this meal, as a foretaste of the riches of your eternal kingdom, and celebrate with all your people in heaven as we offer our song of praise.
People: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth resound with your glory, hosanna to God in the highest heaven. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of our God. Hosanna in the highest heaven.
(Please be seated.)
Leader: Our Lord Jesus Christ, understanding the hunger and thirst of our spirits prepares for us a feast of his love. On the night of his betrayal, knowing their need for sustenance in the empty days to come, in the presence of his disciples, Jesus took bread, gave thanks to God, blessed it and shared it with his friends.
People: Take and eat. This is my body broken for you. Do this remembering me.
Leader: Understanding too the dryness of spirit when He is not present, our Savior took the cup, blessed it and gave his disciples to drink.
People: Drink of this, all of you. This is my blood of the new covenant poured out for your life. Whenever you do this, remember me.
Leader: And so we come to eat and to drink of the love of our Savior. We participate in this mystery that proclaims our God who is, who was, and who is to come.
People: Christ died for us; Christ is risen and alive in us; Christ will come again to receive us.
Leader: And now we pray with confidence as God's children:
All: THE LORD'S PRAYER
CONSECRATION OF THE ELEMENTS
Bless this meal which has been prepared for the nourishment of our spirits. In the broken bread may we find wholeness and through its sharing be made whole. In the juice may we find refreshment for our parched souls. And may we who partake of this food, take the food of your love through our service to all the world. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
SHARING THE MEAL
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Accept our thanks for the gift of grace we have received in this sacrament. May the time that awaits us be a time of praise and thanksgiving, as we are renewed and uplifted by your Holy Spirit. Amen.
BENEDICTION
Go forward into your day, and into this time, secure in the knowledge that Christ walks beside you, lifting you when you are down and guiding you when you seem lost. Go and invite others, that together you may share the joy and anticipation of the new life of the risen Christ.
Lent gives us the opportunity we so often need, to give closer attention to the meaning of God in our lives. It is most often seen as a time to give up something for the sake of our spiritual health. Let us instead take on a new thing for our spiritual life and make this time an opportunity for growth and renewal of our Christian covenant.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me bless God's holy name.
People: Bless the Lord, O my soul; and forget not all God's benefits.
Leader: Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.
People: Who delivers your life from the depths of despair.
Leader: Who restores you with unfailing love and mercy.
All: Bless the Lord, O my soul. (Psalm 103:1-5 adapted)
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of constant care, we confess the weakness of our spirits that falter as we contemplate the wilderness places of our lives. Although Christ goes before us and makes a way out of nothingness, we are afraid to follow where He leads. We come to you in this season of repentance, aware of our inadequacies and confessing our unworthiness.
Forgive us the ease with which we ignore you. Help us to recognize and accept your guiding hand. God, forgive us our fears that cause us to reject your call upon our lives. Free us from the compulsions that move us away from you. Give us grace for daily living, that in this time of renewal, we may discover anew the joy and peace that your blessed assurance brings.
A TIME OF SILENCE FOR PERSONAL CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Gracious is the Lord and righteous; our God is merciful.
(Psalm 116:5)
Great is God's steadfast love toward us. The faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
(Psalm 117:2 adapted)
THE IMPOSITION OF ASHES
In time past, ashes were used as a sign of repentance. May it be a sign to you today of the everlasting mercy of our Savior's love to all who, in true repentance, turn to him.
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
Lectionary readings are recommended.
LENTEN REFLECTION
THE SACRIFICIAL MEAL
INVITATION
Christ our Savior, in the sacrifice of himself, gave us a witness to the great love of God. Christ calls us into this love through the sharing of this meal, prepared as a sacrament to his memory. Around this table we are one in the spirit of God that renews us and restores our life. All are invited. Come and be made new in Christ.
PRAYER OF ACCESS
We do not come to this meal, O God, believing that we are worthy of your great sacrifice, but trusting in the magnitude of your love to carry us through our lonesome days. We hear the call to follow you and our steps are slow. We try to hide from your penetrating gaze, but your light finds us even in the darkest places. Free our longing hearts, and bind us to you with words of love. Fill us with your spirit and grant us grace for the living of these and all our days. In the name of our Savior Christ we pray. Amen.
PASSING OF THE PEACE
Signs of reconciliation and peace may be shared.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
Leader: God is with us.
People: Thanks to our omnipresent God.
Leader: God has blessed us with love.
People: We love because God loves us.
Leader: God has filled us with grace.
People: We rejoice in a full and free salvation.
Leader: We praise you, O God, for the magnificence of your creation, made for the good of all people. We thank you for Jesus Christ, who comes to restore oneness to your people, so that we might all enjoy the fruits of your bounty. We give glory to the presence of the Holy Spirit that enables our work and witness in your name. May we be refreshed and renewed by this meal, as a foretaste of the riches of your eternal kingdom, and celebrate with all your people in heaven as we offer our song of praise.
People: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth resound with your glory, hosanna to God in the highest heaven. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of our God. Hosanna in the highest heaven.
(Please be seated.)
Leader: Our Lord Jesus Christ, understanding the hunger and thirst of our spirits prepares for us a feast of his love. On the night of his betrayal, knowing their need for sustenance in the empty days to come, in the presence of his disciples, Jesus took bread, gave thanks to God, blessed it and shared it with his friends.
People: Take and eat. This is my body broken for you. Do this remembering me.
Leader: Understanding too the dryness of spirit when He is not present, our Savior took the cup, blessed it and gave his disciples to drink.
People: Drink of this, all of you. This is my blood of the new covenant poured out for your life. Whenever you do this, remember me.
Leader: And so we come to eat and to drink of the love of our Savior. We participate in this mystery that proclaims our God who is, who was, and who is to come.
People: Christ died for us; Christ is risen and alive in us; Christ will come again to receive us.
Leader: And now we pray with confidence as God's children:
All: THE LORD'S PRAYER
CONSECRATION OF THE ELEMENTS
Bless this meal which has been prepared for the nourishment of our spirits. In the broken bread may we find wholeness and through its sharing be made whole. In the juice may we find refreshment for our parched souls. And may we who partake of this food, take the food of your love through our service to all the world. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
SHARING THE MEAL
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Accept our thanks for the gift of grace we have received in this sacrament. May the time that awaits us be a time of praise and thanksgiving, as we are renewed and uplifted by your Holy Spirit. Amen.
BENEDICTION
Go forward into your day, and into this time, secure in the knowledge that Christ walks beside you, lifting you when you are down and guiding you when you seem lost. Go and invite others, that together you may share the joy and anticipation of the new life of the risen Christ.
