Ash Wednesday

February 10, 2016

Gathering

Entering into Worship

*Invocation

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

And also with you.

Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins.

God's mercy endures forever.

*Hymn “Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days” #269

in The United Methodist Hymnal

*Scripture Joel 2:1-2, 12-17

Prayer

Almighty God, through love you have made us, and for love you call us to repentance.

Grant that we, who seek to mend our sinful ways, may find strength in your compassion and forgiveness.

Restore to us the joy of your salvation; give us your Holy Spirit that we may serve you with willing hearts, bearing witness to your abundant mercy in all the world; through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Scripture Psalm 51:1-17

A time of confession

Call to Confession

Prayer of Confession

Merciful God, whose ways are good and true, we confess that we have not lived as Christ has called us to live.

We have shut our eyes to evils our world allows.

We have sealed our ears from the cries of the suffering.

We have clung to the hostility we harbor against one another and hardened our hearts to the creative power of love.

Therefore we pray:

Open our eyes to see injustice in our world.

Give us courage to resist the powers that oppress the poor.

Open our ears to hear the cry of the needy.

Teach us generosity for sharing the abundance of your creation.

Open our minds to imagine an end to human strife.

Grant us wisdom to pursue the ways of peace.

Open our hearts to love our neighbors and our enemies near and far.

Give us desire to embody the compassion of Christ.

For the sake of the world, in the name of Christ we pray.

Amen.

Silent Prayer

Declaration of Forgiveness

Reflecting on the Season

*Hymn “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior” #351

in The United Methodist Hymnal

Scripture 2 Corinthians 5:20 b –6:10

Reflection

Receiving the Ashes

*Hymn “Just as I Am” #357

in The United Methodist Hymnal

Thanksgiving Over the Ashes

Silent Prayer

*Please feel free to offer your silent prayer at the altar before receiving the ashes.

Imposition of the Ashes

*Ashes may be placed on your forehead or your hand

and are to be left there until worship has ended.

*Signs of Peace

Giving Back to god

Offering Prayer

O God, receive these gifts we offer as a sign of the dedication of our lives.

We bring nothing of our own, for all that we have is yours.

We give, not for the sake of earthly reward, but for the secret reward only you may grant: the joy of your righteousness; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Offering

*Hymn “I Surrender All” #354

in The United Methodist Hymnal

Dismissal into the World