Ash Wednesday

February 18, 2015

Gathering

Entering into Worship

*Invocation

We seek your presence here today even while we acknowledge that we often hide from you. Draw us out of our hiding places and into the light of your grace and love, and there teach us to worship you in spirit and in truth. Amen.

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

*Hymn “Lord, I Want To Be a Christian ” #402

in The United Methodist Hymnal

Litany for Ash Wednesday:

Leader: Our sin rests heavy on our hearts,

People: Free us, O Lord, from this burden.

Leader: Our sin stands before us and obscures our vision.

People: Move us, O Lord, that we may see.

Leader: Our sin has left a painful mark on our souls.

People: Wash us, O Lord, and make us clean.

Leader: Our sin has robbed us of the joy of living.

People: Forgive us, O Lord, and restore our joy.

Leader: As we bear this cross of ashes today, O Lord, help us remember that you bore a cross of pain.

People: Remind us, O Lord, again and again, that we are yours.

Scripture Psalm 51:1-17

A time of confession

Call to Confession

Prayer of Confession

God, on this Ash Wednesday, we come before you acknowledging your greatness, exalting your supreme power, declaring that you are the God of our salvation. We come confessing the multitude of our transgressions known and unknown. We know that we have not helped the needy when there has been need. We have been greedy even in the land of plenty. Lord, we know that we've abused our brother, misused our sister, forgot about our parents, "played" our friends. We're guilty and we need your grace.

And so we bow before you, kneel before you, lay down prostrate before you, asking that you would intervene for our sinful, sorrowful, and sick souls. Have mercy on us 'cause we need you to respond to our human need. Wash us, 'cause we're dirty from our indiscretions. Teach us so that we may live and declare your truth. Purge us, so that the shame of today will not be the guilt of tomorrow. Create in us newness of life, happiness of heart. Restore to us the full blessings of heaven. Deliver us from the penalty we deserve.

And we will rise up. We will stand up. We will get up and live up to the expectations of your calling on our lives. These things we pray in the powerful and mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Silent Prayer / The Lord’s Prayer

Declaration of Forgiveness

Reflecting on the Season

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

in The United Methodist Hymnal

Scripture Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Reflection Through The Wilderness To Our Home Rev. David Morse

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

Lord, as we worship you through our tithes and offerings, help us.

Help us to give with a sincere heart.

Help us Lord.

Help us not to bring attention to ourselves through our giving, but to place attention on your goodness by our obedience.

Help us Lord.

In our poverty, help us not to be stingy with our substance; in our wealth, help us not to be cheap in our charity.

Help us Lord.

Help us to surrender to you what is needed to bless others, with a treasured heart that gives cheerfully, hilariously, and gladly.

Help us Lord, and be pleased with our gifts.

In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Offering

*Hymn “I Surrender All” #354

in The United Methodist Hymnal

Dismissal into the World