March 2 (Ash Wednesday) “Repent and Believe the Gospel” Jesus began his ministry with a message of repentance and faith. Repentance is more than feeling sorry about sins, it is a change of direction. Without repentance, hope is highly hindered. Repentance involves action which gives witness to our faith and the grace we receive from God through Christ. Such witness brings hope. Scriptures: Mark 1:14-15; Acts 2:37-39
Ash Wednesday Worship Service 7:00 p.m. March 2
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ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE
March 2, 2022
Prelude
Welcome
The Call to Worship
Leader: Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord.
People: God has blessed us; let all the ends of the earth fear Him!
Leader: Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord,
People: That He may teach us His ways and that we may walk His paths.
The Opening Prayer
Most gracious Lord, Your Son came to save sinners. We come to this season of repentance, acknowledging that we have sinned, confessing our unworthiness, asking for new and honest hearts, and the healing power of Your forgiveness. Grant this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*Hymn “Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days” No. 269
The Old Testament Lesson Joel 2:12-13
The Psalter Psalm 51:1-17 (No Sung Response) No. 785
*Hymn “Depth of Mercy” No. 355
The Epistle Lesson Acts 2:37-39
The Gospel Lesson Mark 1:14-15
The Message “Repent and Believe the Gospel” Kirk Peterson
*The Invitation to the Observance of Lenten Discipline
*Hymn “Let Us Break Bread Together” No. 618 (Verses 1-3)
The Invitation
The Confession
Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved You with our whole heart. We have failed to be an obedient church. We have not done Your will, we have broken Your law, we have rebelled against Your love, we have not loved our neighbors, and we have not heard the cry of the needy. Forgive us, we pray. Free us for joyful obedience, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Moments of Silent Prayer
The Words of Pardon
Special Music “What Wondrous Love is This” Bowed psaltry, Lindsey Pertuset
The Great Thanksgiving No. 13
The Lord’s Prayer No. 895
Thanksgiving over the Ashes
Almighty God, grant that these ashes may be to us a sign of our mortality and penitence, so that we may remember that only by Your gracious gift are we given everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
The Imposition of Ashes
(The use of ashes as a sign of mortality and repentance has a long history in Jewish and Christian worship. The act of ashes being marked on the forehead in the shape of the cross is a powerful way of participating in the call to repentance and reconciliation.)
Holy Communion
The Closing Prayer
Almighty God, who has taught us in the life and teaching of Your Son the way of true blessedness, and has shown us in his suffering and death that the path of love may lead to a cross: Give us grace to learn these hard lessons, to take up our cross and follow Christ, in strength, patience, and constancy of faith, through Your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Closing Hymn “Take Time to Be Holy” No. 395
Benediction
Postlude