MORE PEOPLE MORE LIKE CHRIST
7:00PM Service
March 5, 2025
SERVICE FOR ASH WEDNESDAY
Wednesday, March 5, 2025 7:00PM
PLEASE SILENCE OR PLACE YOUR CELL PHONE ON VIBRATE.
PRELUDE
WORDS OF WELCOME
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: This night, we embark upon a journey of forty days, yet it is a journey that lasts a lifetime.
People: The journey begins within our hearts and beckons us to repent, to change direction, to be made new.
Leader: The Lenten journey–from the ashes of death to resurrected life–reminds us that unless we are willing to die to self, we cannot be raised to new life with Christ.
People: We follow the light of Christ on the way to the cross and empty tomb; and we turn from evil to embrace new life in Christ.
Leader: Know that the first step of this journey calls us to acknowledge our sinfulness and to repent. In many traditions this is symbolized through the imposition of ashes–placing a cross on one’s forehead or upon the back of one’s hand.
People: In dying to sin, we live in Christ.
Leader: Then let us worship the Lord.
*PRAYER OF INVOCATION
*HYMN
Have Thine Own Way, Lord
Almighty God, by your Holy Spirit, illumine these sacred pages, we pray, so that our minds may be open to receive your Word, our hearts taught to love it, and our will strengthened to obey it; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SCRIPTURE Psalm 51:1-6, 10-12
Leader: This is the word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God!
ANTHEM
Create in Me a Clean Heart
Create in me a clean heart, O God, Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Thy presence, O Lord, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy Spirit, O Lord.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Create in me a clean heart.
SCRIPTURE Mark 1:9-15
Page 1060 Pew Bible
Victor C. Johnson
Page 1424 Pew Bible
SERMON “Sackcloth and Ashes” Rev. Jim Noble
*HYMN I Surrender All
CALL TO CONFESSION (from Daniel 9:3-4)
3So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. 4I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed,
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (from Daniel 9:4-6)
“Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 5we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. 6We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who have spoken your name to our kings, our princes, and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land.”
Merciful God, you called us forth from the dust of the earth; you claimed us for Christ in the waters of baptism. Look upon us as we enter these Forty Days bearing the mark of ashes, and bless the journey through the desert of Lent to the font of rebirth. As we remember our mortality and seek penitence today, we know you to be a God who is rich in forgiveness and abounding in steadfast love. Love that culminates in eternal life with you. Guide our steps this Lent so that we might find greater fulfillment in your promises and better serve others with a heart that’s reflective of you. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
(1 John 1:9)
Leader: If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just, and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Therefore, let us assure one another of God’s pardon.
All: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God.
ANTHEM
Speak to Me in Ashes
Speak to me in ashes. Speak to me in tears. Whisper to the silence in my soul. Lord, I wait in stillness, ready now to hear. Speak to me in ashes and in tears.
Speak to me in silence. Speak to me Your peace. Touch my heart and still my troubled mind. Words of calm assurance, all my fears release. Speak to me in silence. Give me peace.
Lord, speak to me. My heart is open to receive Your grace. Lord, speak to me. Here in these shadows, let me feel Your sure embrace.
Speak to me with mercy. Speak to me in love. By Your Word, my spirit is reborn. Echoes of compassion sounding from above. Speak to me with mercy and in love.
Douglas Nolan
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Leader: It is truly right and our greatest joy to give you praise, eternal God and creator of the universe.
You are our God, and we are the creatures of your hand. You made us from the dust of the earth, breathed into us the breath of life, And set us in your world to love and to serve you.
I invite you therefore, in the name of the Lord, to observe a holy Lent, by self examination, pentinence and prayer.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
Instructions:
The imposition of ashes can either be on your forehead, or on the top of your right hand. Ushers will release the congregation from the back, down the center aisle to the front of the Sanctuary to receive ashes, then pick up the sackcloth square to take home as a reminder of this night, then move to receive the communion elements. There are gluten free options available.
Upon returning to your seat, you are invited to take the small white paper with attached pencil and write down something for which you’d like to—repent. After the service take the paper with you, and drop it into the fire-pit on the patio. Our sin will turn to ashes.
Leader: “Do you repent of your sins?” Response: I do. (Imposition of ashes)
Leader: “Do you believe in the goodness of God?” Response: I do. (Pick up sackcloth)
Leader: “The body of Christ given for you.” Response: Amen.
Leader: “The blood of Christ shed for you.” Response: Amen.
Just As I Am Chancel Choir
Just as I am, without one plea But that Thy blood was shed for me, And that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come! I come!
Just as I am and waiting not To rid my soul of one dark blot, To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come! I come!
Just as I am, though tossed about With many a conflict, many a doubt, Fightings and fears within, without. O Lamb of God, I come! I come!
Just as I am- Thou wilt receive, Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve. Because Thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come! I come!
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
*POSTLUDE
