“Embracing the Uncertain” Lenten Series

February 17 ASH WEDNESDAY: Message: “The Mountain and the Uncertainty of Real Life” At the transfiguration of Jesus, the three disciples with him had a mountain top spiritual experience from which they did not want to come down. However, real life does not accommodate perpetual mountain top experiences. There are a variety of highs and lows and the reality of “ashes and dust,” all of which can bring uncertainty to life. In real life, through Jesus we can embrace the uncertain and face unsteady times.  Scriptures: Matthew 17:1-9; 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10

Ash Wednesday Service February 17, 7:00 p.m.

Trinity UMC Service from Trinity UMC Milford on Vimeo.

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 Psalter  Psalm 51:1-17 (No Sung Response)  No. 785

Hymn  “Are Ye Able”  No. 530 (Verses 1 & 4)

The Epistle Lesson 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10

The Gospel Lesson Matthew 17:1-9

The Message  “The Mountain and the Uncertainty of Real Life”  Kirk Peterson               

 The Invitation to the Observance of Lenten Discipline

Hymn  “Let Us Break Bread Together”  No. 618 (Verses 1-3)

The Invitation

Confessions Video

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

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

Organists: Lindsey Pertuset
Choir Director: Juli Peterson