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ASH WEDNESDAY WORSHIP

Grace Lutheran Church • Tucson, Arizona

March

5, 2025

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 The Law of God Is Good and Wise Christian Worship 637

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.

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

Almighty and merciful God, you never despise what you have made and always forgive those who turn to you. Create in us such new and contrite hearts that we may truly repent of our sins and obtain your full and gracious pardon; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Please be seated

FIRST LESSON

2 Samuel 12:1-13

1So the L sent Nathan to David. He came and told him this: There were two men in a city. One was rich and one poor. 2The rich man had a large number of ﬂocks and herds. 3The poor man did not own anything except one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. He raised it so that it grew up together with him and his children. It ate from his food and drank from his cup. It slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him. 4When a traveler came to the rich man, the rich man was unwilling to take an animal from his ﬂock or from his herd to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. So he took the lamb from the poor man and prepared it for the man who had come to him.

5David’s anger ﬂared up against that man. He said to Nathan, “As the L lives, the man who has done this is as good as dead. 6In place of that lamb, he will restore four lambs, because he did this and had no pity.”

7Nathan told David, “You are the man. This is what the L , the God of Israel, says.” I anointed you king over Israel. I rescued you from the hand of Saul. 8I gave the house of your master to you, and I gave the wives of your master into your embrace. I gave you the house of Israel and the house of Judah. If this was too little, I would have added even more. 9Why have you despised the word of the L by doing evil in his eyes? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword. You have taken his wife as your own wife. You have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. 10So now the sword will not depart from your house forever, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.

11This is what the L says. Look! I am raising up disaster against you from your own house. Right in front of your eyes I will take your wives and give them to your neighbor, and he will lie down with your wives in the sight of the sun. 12Because you acted in secret, I will do this in front of all Israel in broad daylight.

13David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the L .”

Nathan said to David, “The L himself has put away your sin. You will not die.”

20Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, inasmuch as God is making an appeal through us. We urge you, on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21God made him, who did not know sin, to become sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

1As fellow workers we also urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2For he says:

At a favorable time I listened to you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.

Look, now is the favorable time! See, now is the day of salvation!

RESPONSIVE READING FROM PSALM 130

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice. Listen closely as I call on you for help.

Lord, if you kept track of sins, O Lord, then who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, in order that you may be feared.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. More than watchers wait for morning my soul waits for the Lord.

Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is faithful love; with him is complete redemption. He will redeem Israel from the guilt of all their sins.

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.

God our Father, you are rich in mercy, and there is forgiveness with you that you may be feared. Do not remember our sins, but blot them out for the sake of Jesus, who has redeemed us by his precious blood and his innocent suﬀering and death. Lead us to put our hope in you, for with you is unfailing love.

Amen.

GOSPEL

Luke 18:9-14

9Jesus told this parable to certain people who trusted in themselves (that they were righteous) and looked down on others: 10“Two men went up to the temple courts to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector. 11The Pharisee stood and prayed about himself like this: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people, robbers, evildoers, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week. I give a tenth of all my income.’

13“However the tax collector stood at a distance and would not even lift his eyes up to heaven, but was beating his chest and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’

14“I tell you, this man went home justiﬁed rather than the other, because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

HYMN Lord, to You I Make Confession

SERMON

Heading:

Christian Worship 653

Realizing Our Need for Repentance Psalm 51: Heading, 1-2

For the choir director. A psalm by David. When Nathan the prophet came to him after he had gone to Bathsheba.

1 Be gracious to me, God, according to your mercy.

Erase my acts of rebellion according to the greatness of your compassion.

2 Scrub me clean from my guilt.

Purify me from my sin.

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

HYMN—I Come, O Savior, to Your Table Christian Worship 670

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.”

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)

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. Amen.

EVENING PRAYER (7:00

PM)

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.

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.

Please be seated

CLOSING HYMN—Jesus Sinners Does Receive Christian Worship 654, stanzas 1-5

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 “Reflections on Repentance.” This series of Lenten reflections explores the depths of our sinful depravity, the brokenness of our relationship with God, our dire need for rescue, and the good news of forgiveness, cleansing, and rejoicing in our restored relationship with God and the promise of eternal life through Jesus our Savior. The sermons use verses of David’s great penitential Psalm 51, penned following his affair with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah. The Lord is not slow to do what he promised Instead, he is patient for your sakes, not wanting anyone to perish, but all to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

WORSHIP NOTES

Those wishing to leave an oﬀering can do so at either exit today or give online at 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 Ron Koehler

Communion Assistant .................................................................................... Pastor Nathan Kassulke

Accompanist .......................................................................................................................... Jim Bakken

Vocalist ................................................................................................................. Craig Lipke (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 ..................................................................................... Kay Kassulke, Erika Hanson

Acknowledgements: