ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE
Assorted
Posted February 9, 2001
A Service for Ash Wednesday
The sanctuary is dimly lit and the music plays softly
in the background as we gather her tonight for worship.
We come to make confession to God, to hear the promise
of the Gospel that we are loved, to share together in
Communion as we begin our spiritual pilgrimage
through Lent. May God's spirit touch you as wee worship
here this evening.
The Gathering
People of God, draw near into God's presence. Do not
fear gazing into the darkness of our own sin. Know
that sin never has the last word. Know that darkness
cannot endure the light of God's love. Know that you
are the beloved of God and believe the promises...God
is faithful and just and if we confess our sins, God
will forgive us and restore us to a right relationship.
God is in our midst this evening. God is here. Let us
unite our hearts and minds now in worship, as we come
into God's house and offer our confession on this night.
Psalm 51:1-3 Sung Response #483
Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy.
Isaiah 58:1-9 Sung Response
Kum Ba Yah, my Lord, kum ba yah.
Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah.
Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah.
O Lord, kum ba yah.
Mark 2:15-20 Sung Response
He Is Lord, he is Lord!
He is risen from the dead and he is Lord!
Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord!
Romans 7:14-25 Sung Response
Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.
Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.
Psalm 23
Lonesome Valley Choir
Psalm 51:10-13
Create in me a clean heart, oh God, that I might serve You;
Create in me a clean heart, oh God, that I might be renewed.
So fill me, heal me, then bring me back to You.
Create in me a clean heart, oh God, that I might serve You.
A Time of Silent Confession
The Assurance in Song Your Love, O God,
Ash Wednesday Reflections
Communion Hymn Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence,
The Sharing of the Ashes and The Elements
God calls the people to repentance.
We are summoned to die with Christ and to live with Christ.
We are called to realize our imperfect humanity, on the one
hand, and the perfect forgiveness of Christ Jesus, on the
other. We commit ourselves this night to begin a journey
of personal pray and reflection, and spiritual discipline.
We ask that by the power of the Holy Spirit we may enter
into new levels of faith and commitment. We claim God's
overwhelming forgiveness and love for us.
We share the cup and the loaf.
We remember the night when Jesus gathered the disciples in
the Upper Room and broke the bread and shared the cup.
"This bread is my body," he said. "This cup is my blood,"
he said. "Broken and poured out for you," he said. We
remember his words. We remember his sacrifice. We take
our place at this table tonight.
We receive the mark of the ashes on this night.
We wear the mark as an outward and visible sign of an
inward and spiritual thing. It is a symbol of our hearts,
offered up to God, broken and contrite, stained by sin,
yet redeemable in God's mercy. Create in me, O God, a
new heart, this night. Restore my soul. Revive my being.
Accept my desire to be made new. Amen.
Invitation and Consecration
All are invited to come forward down the center aisle,
to receive the bread, dip it in the cup, and share in
the sacrament of Holy Communion. Following communion,
you will receive the mark of the cross in ashes upon
your forehead. You will hear the words spoken to you,
"Repent and believe the gospel. You are loved by God!"
Return to your seat by a side aisle.
As we share in the sacrament and the imposition of ashes,
you are invited to sing along as the following hymns are
played:
Let Us Break Bread Together,
One Bread, One Body,
Because Thou Hast Said,
Closing Affirmation
Repent and believe the Gospel!
You are loved by God!
Repent and believe the Gospel!
We are loved by God!
Repent and believe the Gospel!
I am loved by God!
Go in peace.
Amen.
Benediction Song On Eagle's Wings,
And God will raise you up on Eagle's wings,
bear you on the breath of dawn,
make you to shine like the sun,
and hold you in the palm of God's hand.
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