Ash Wednesday Worship Bulletin | 2-22-23
St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
Ash Wednesday
02-22-2023 12:00 noon “In Person” + 7:00PM “Hybrid” Worship
+ Repentance Through God’s Mercy +
CONFESSION OF OUR SINS:
L People of God, during these 40 days of Lent return to God with all your heart, with tears and fasting, with faithful prayers
and fervent loving. Let us be honest, confess our sin, and receive God’s promise of mercy.
C Eternal God, I confess that I am only human, created by you.
I have come from dust, and someday I will return to dust. My physical life on earth will end.
Eternal God, I confess that I am also a sinner.
My thoughts and my words, my attitudes and my actions all reveal my failures. I pray for your mercy.
Eternal God, I confess that I am also an unsure saint.
I sometimes look for an easier gospel, a lighter cross, a less demanding Savior, and a cheaper ticket to
heaven. I need your renewal as I seek to be faithful.
Here I am, Lord. Forgive my sins, both public and secret. Revive my spirit. Give me new life. Amen.
[Silence is kept for reflection.]
L In truth, we have not lived as Christ has called us to live. In truth, we all have sinned, we all fall short. We are but dust,
we are like ashes. But here is another truth: Jesus offers us resurrection and life. According to God’s abundant mercy,
there is forgiveness for all who seek repentance, and grace for all who turn their hearts to the way of Jesus.
C Thanks be to God for our salvation!
IMPOSITION OF ASHES…
People may come forward and kneel or stand to receive the ashes.
Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, and dust to dust.
Today we are reminded of our mortality and that the wages of sin are death.
Each of us. All of us. But the sign of the cross also marks us as children of God
and as disciples of Christ, walking with him toward Calvary and Easter.
“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.
Repent and believe the Gospel.”
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY:
Let us pray. Lord, we thank you for life, we thank you for new life in Christ, and we thank you for a second chance. Give us strength during these 40 days of Lent to grow in our faith and to grow in our love for you and our neighbor. Lord, you are our way, our truth, and our life. Amen.
SONG: “I Have Decided”
- I have decided to follow Jesus… I have decided to follow Jesus…
I have decided to follow Jesus… NO TURNING BACK, NO TURNING BACK!
- Though no one join me, still I will follow…
- The world behind me, the cross before me…
- Will you decide, now, to follow Jesus?…
+ Renewal Through God’s Word +
[The traditional Ash Wednesday scriptures are: Psalm 51 a humble prayer that acknowledges sin and asks for God’s forgiveness; Joel 2:1-2,12-17, where the prophet calls the entire community to true repentance before God to avert God’s destructive judgment during the coming day of the Lord; 2 Corinthians 5:20b – 6:10, where Paul urges reconciliation with God right now; and Matthew 6:1-6,16-21, where Jesus calls for genuine righteousness – not
a proud show – when giving alms, praying, and fasting.]
TWO SCRIPTURE READINGS AND A BRIEF MEDITATION
SONG VERSE:
“Lord, let my heart be good soil, open to the seed of your word.
Lord, let my heart be good soil, where love can grow and peace is understood.
When my heart is hard, break the stone away.
When my heart is cold, warm it with the day.
When my heart is lost, lead me on your way.
Lord, let my heart, Lord, let my heart, Lord, let my heart be good soil.”
THE PRAYERS… We pray that THE WAY OF THE CROSS will continue to impact our lives and transform the world!
+ Revival Through God’s Meal +
THE OFFERING [Jesus taught in Matthew that we should not give in a way that tries to draw attention to ourselves,
that longs for praise. Nor should we give with the thought that we are purchasing God’s mercy and salvation, because we cannot. Rather, we give with humble and grateful hearts – celebrating the joy and privilege of our discipleship, and desiring to reach out to others that they too may experience new life in Jesus Christ!]
THE OFFERTORY SONG: “I Know It Was the Blood”
- I know it was the blood… I know it was the blood… I know it was the blood for me.
One day when I was lost, he died upon the cross… I know it was the blood for me.
- It was my Savior’s blood…
- They pierced him in the side…
- He’s coming back again…
OFFERING PRAYER (from PSALM 51):
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence, or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain me with your bountiful spirit.
Then I will teach other sinners your ways; and I will eagerly sing of your goodness. Amen.
THE PREFACE:
L The Lord be with you. C And also with you.
L Lift up your hearts! C We lift them up in love for God!
L Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C It is right to give God our thanks and praise.
L The Lord delivers us from sin and death… C … and grants us salvation and eternal life!
THE EUCHARISTIC WORDS by the Celebrant, who recalls and re-enacts Jesus’ Holy Meal.
THE LORD’S PRAYER (spoken)
COMMUNION AND BLESSINGS… All believers in Christ are welcome at the Lord’s Table!
CHRIST IS PRESENT IN BREAD AND WINE – HIS OWN BODY AND BLOOD – TO SAVE YOU FROM YOURSELF!
COMMUNION SONG: “Let Us Break Bread Together” Brown #123
THE COMMUNION BLESSING by the Celebrant after all have communed.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER by the Communion Assistant.
+ Righteousness Through God’s Spirit +
THE BENEDICTION by the Pastor… God calls us to “return home” to faithful discipleship!
CLOSING SONG: “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me” Brown #66
- I want Jesus to walk with me… I want Jesus to walk with me.
All along my pilgrim journey, Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.
- In my trials, Lord, walk with me… In my trials, Lord, walk with me.
When my heart is almost breaking, Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.
- When I’m in trouble, Lord, walk with me… When I’m in trouble, Lord, walk with me.
When my head is bowed in sorrow, Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.
GIVE… to realign yourself with others.
PRAY… to realign yourself with God.
FAST… to realign yourself with self.