ASH WEDNESDAY WORSHIP Grace Lutheran Church • Tucson, Arizona February 14, 2024 Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent. Ashes were used by God’s people to show repentance. The day derives its name from the practice of repentant people receiving ashes on their forehead. This practice goes back to at least the 8th century A.D.
WELCOME
OPENING HYMN—Come to Calvary’s Holy Mountain
Christian Worship 394
Please stand
RESPONSIVE SENTENCES Minister: In the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit. Congregation: Amen. This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
1 John 1:5-8
CONFESSION OF SIN We confess together: Father, I have sinned against you and am no longer worthy to be called your child. Yet in mercy you sacrificed your only Son to purge away my guilt. For his sake, O God, be merciful to me, a sinner, and in the joy of your Holy Spirit let me serve you all my days. 1
Silence for personal examination and confession
DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Upon this, your confession, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit. 1 John 1:9 Thanks be to God. Amen.
PRAYER Lord God, you are compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love. Fill us with the peace of your forgiveness so that our hearts may be set to obey your commandments; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Please be seated
FIRST LESSON 12
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Even now, declares the L , return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and grief. Tear your heart and not your clothing. Return to the L your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in mercy, and he relents from sending disaster. Who knows? He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing— grain offerings and drink offerings for the L your God. Blow the ram’s horn in Zion. Set aside a day for fasting. Call a solemn convocation. Gather the people. Consecrate the assembly. Bring together the elders. Gather the children, even those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber.
Joel 2:12-19
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Let the priests, who minister before the L , weep between the temple porch and the altar. Let them say: Have compassion on your people, O L . Do not subject the inheritance you have given us to the scorn of the nations. Do not make us notorious among the nations as an object of ridicule. Why should they say among the peoples, “Where is their God?” The L is zealous for his land, and he will take pity on his people. The L will respond to them: I am sending you grain, new wine, and fresh oil, enough to satisfy you fully. Never again will I subject you to scorn among the nations.
SECOND LESSON 1
Revelation 3:1-3
To the messenger of the church in Sardis write:
The one who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars says this: I know your works. You have a reputation for being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen what is left, which is about to die, for I have found that your works are not complete in the sight of my God. 3 Therefore remember what you received and heard. Hold on to it and repent! If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come upon you.
RESPONSIVE READING FROM PSALM 51 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. 3
PSALM PRAYER Lord, we confess our sins to you and plead for your mercy. We acknowledge that sin runs too deep in our nature for us ever to rid ourselves of it, but we thank you that Jesus has done what we could not do, washing us clean of every stain. We plead that your Spirit would give us the strength to live a new life; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
GOSPEL
Luke 12:13-21
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Someone from the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But Jesus said to him, “Man, who appointed me to be a judge or an arbitrator over you?” 15
Then he said to them, “Watch out and be on guard against all greed, because a man’s life is not measured by how many possessions he has.” 16
He told them a parable: “The land of a certain rich man produced very well. 17 He was thinking to himself, ‘What will I do, because I do not have anywhere to store my crops?’ 18 He said, ‘This is what I will do. I will pull down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and goods. 19 And I will tell my soul, “Soul, you have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry.”’ 20
“But God said to him, ‘You fool, this night your soul will be demanded from you. Now who will get what you have prepared?’ 21
“That is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
HYMN—He Stood Before the Court
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Christian Worship 408
SERMON
God on Trial: Accusations Job 40:1-2; 42:1-6
40 The L 2
responded to Job and said:
Will the one who makes charges against the Almighty dare to correct him? The one who accuses God should make his case!
42 Job responded to the L 2
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. He said:
I know that you can do all things. No purpose of yours can be thwarted. You asked, “Who is this who spreads darkness over my plans with his ignorant words?” I have made statements about things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. You said, “Listen now and I will speak. I will ask you questions, and you will inform me.” My ear heard about you. Now my eyes see you. So I despise myself. I repent in dust and ashes.
Please stand
CONFESSION OF FAITH
Luther's Explanation to the Second Article of the Apostles' Creed
I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord. He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil, not with gold or silver but with his holy, precious blood, and with his innocent suffering and death.
All this he did that I should be his own, and live under him in his kingdom, and serve him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as he has risen from death and lives and rules eternally. This is most certainly true.
Please be seated
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HYMN—I Come, O Savior, to Your Table
Christian Worship 670
Text: Friedrich C. Heyder, 1677–1754, abr. Translation: (sts. 1, Ref, 2, 9) The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941 © 1941 Concordia Publishing House; (st. 3) Michael D. Schultz, b. 1963 © 2021 Northwestern Publishing House. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199. Tune: Emskirchner Choral-Buch, Leipzig, 1756. Public domain.
THE LORD'S SUPPER Today we celebrate the Lord's Supper. Jesus urges all who receive it to do so in a worthy manner in order to receive the blessings he promises. He also gives warning that no one receive it to their judgment. If you are a guest at Grace today and not a member of another Wisconsin Synod congregation, we would ask that you speak with one of the pastors about a time to discuss what exactly God says about Holy Communion before you come to the Lord's table. We look forward to that opportunity!
WORDS OF INSTITUTION Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my (+) body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 6
Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; this is my (+) blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” The peace of the Lord be with you always. Amen.
DISTRIBUTION
Please stand
COMMUNION PRAYER O God the Father, source of all goodness, in your loving kindness you sent your Son to share our humanity. We thank you that through him you have given us pardon and peace in this sacrament. We also pray that you will not forsake us but will rule our hearts and minds by your Holy Spirit so that we willingly serve you day after day, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.
MORNING PRAYER (10:00 AM)
EVENING PRAYER (7:00 PM)
O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely to this new day. Defend us with your mighty power, and grant that this day we neither fall into sin nor run into any kind of danger; and in all we do, direct us to what is right in your sight, through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.
Lord God, we thank you for this day of grace now drawing to a close. Stay with us and warm our hearts with your forgiving love in Christ. May your Word keep our faith burning brightly that we may walk in the light of your presence through the darkness of this world. In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.
BLESSING Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love. 2 John 3 Amen. 7
Please be seated
CLOSING HYMN—Christ, the Life of All the Living
Christian Worship 396, stanzas 1-4
SEASON OF LENT The Lenten Season is observed during the six weeks prior to Easter. The traditional goal of Lent is to prepare believers for a proper celebration of the events of Holy Week, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This Lenten season, the theme for our midweek services is “God on Trial.” The unbelieving world has always insisted on putting God on trial. As our society becomes more secular, we Christians are increasingly aware of the many ways in which God—and his people—are judged. Temptations are many in this environment: treating unbelievers as enemies, retreating from the world, even questioning God ourselves. How do we live as people of God in this hostile world? We find our model—and our motivation—in Jesus. This series takes us back to the moments when God was literally on trial before men in the person of Christ. In these inspired episodes, we find forgiveness for us and all people, love for our enemies, strength for our faith, and courage to testify to the truth. WORSHIP NOTES Those wishing to leave an offering can do so at either exit today or give online at www.GraceLutheranSAZ.org/give. (You can also scan the QR code to the right to access the online giving page.) Holy Communion will be offered in our services today. Gluten-free communion wafers are available at the stand at the front rail and can be picked up as you come forward to commune. The prayers below may be used before and after receiving communion. PRAYER BEFORE COMMUNING Lord Jesus, you have invited me to come and receive your holy Sacrament. I believe that in the bread and wine you give me your true body and blood to eat and drink. Forgive my sins and nourish my faith through this precious meal. I long for the comfort that comes with your promises; I yearn for the assurance of your faithful love. Bless me now as I receive you by faith. Amen. PRAYER AFTER COMMUNING Thank you, dear Savior, for nourishing my faith with the Sacrament of your body and blood. Lift my heart with your forgiveness, renew my confidence in your grace, empower my love for others, and lead me to long for the eternal banquet of heaven. Amen.
PARKING There is no cost to park in our parking lot during worship services. If you receive a citation by mistake, please let our office staff know so it can be cleared. THOSE ASSISTING IN WORSHIP TODAY Minister .................................................................................................................... Pastor Nathan Kassulke Communion Assistant .................................................................................................... Pastor Tim Patoka Accompanist ............................................................................................................................ Beth Kassulke Vocalist ..................................................................................................................... Jeff Weinstein(7:00 PM) Ushers ..................... Stanley Mead, Vic Thornton (10:00 AM); Dylan Guenther, Ferdie Kramm (7:00 PM) Sound and Recording Technicians ......................................................... Jeremy Snavely, Danny Koehler Communion Prep ...................................................... Audrey Nessinger, Jeanette O’Donald, Lauri Colton Acknowledgements: Scripture readings are taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version® (EHV®) © 2018 The Wartburg Project. All rights reserved. wartburgproject.org. Created by Christian Worship: Service Builder © 2024 Concordia Publishing House. Software distributed in partnership with Northwestern Publishing House.
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