Ash Wednesday Worship Bulletin
St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
Ash Wednesday – Coronavirus
03-02-2022 7:00PM Worship
+ Repentance Through God’s Mercy +
CONFESSION OF OUR SINS: Pastor Gwen + Pam Tennessee
L From the prophet Joel we hear these words to his people:
Blow the trumpet, sound the alarm!
Let all who live in the land tremble, for the Day of the Lord is coming, it is just about here.
C The Lord declares, “Return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.
Rip your hearts and not your garments.
Return to the Lord your God, for God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and full of steadfast love!”
L The Christian missionary Paul wrote to the Christians who lived in Corinth:
We plead with you on God’s behalf! Be reconciled to God.
C Behold, now is the acceptable time.
Behold, now is the day of salvation.
L These words from Joel and Paul remind us of the depth of our sin and the greater depth of God’s mercy and grace.
These words from Joel and Paul remind us of the urgency of the present moment and of our tendency to procrastinate.
C Sisters and brothers, today salvation is offered to all who will receive it,
today the gifts of forgiveness and new life are given to all who will accept them.
L Let us not ignore our sinfulness or procrastinate in seeking forgiveness.
This is our chance to confess our sin, to break some of the craziness in our lives, to be saved from ourselves and our
poor choices, and to live new and different. And so as we seek God’s mercy, let one voice speaks for each and all of us:
C Lord, I do not come here to congratulate myself but to confess, to repent, to be changed.
I have failed to be faithful to my promise to walk the way of Jesus Christ.
I have neglected to love God with all my heart and soul and mind and strength.
I have neglected to love my neighbor as myself.
I have even neglected to love myself in the proper way.
I sometimes think that I can earn your forgiveness or that I deserve your mercy.
I sometimes think that I have been too bad for too long to receive your mercy.
Lord, I have sinned and I have stumbled. Please, Lord, forgive me. Amen.
L In truth we have not lived as Christ has called us to live. In truth, we have all sinned, we all fall short. We are but dust, we are like ashes. But there 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 in the way of Jesus. Amen.
IMPOSITION OF ASHES Pastor Neil
Ashes have a long tradition in the Christian faith, with roots in the Old Testament. Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, 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.
+ “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return. Repent and believe the Gospel.” +
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY: Pam Tennessee
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” Linda Crawford
- 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 [Brenda Draper], 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 [Andrea Crawford], where Jesus calls for genuine righteousness – not a proud show – when giving alms, praying, and fasting.]
TWO SCRIPTURE READINGS AND A BRIEF MEDITATION – Veronica Britto
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! Pastor Clesha Staten
THE LORD’S PRAYER
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” – Cecil Webb
- 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): Jordan Washington
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.
+ 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”
- 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. Trudi Wright
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.
You have a choice and a chance. Until it’s too late.
REPENT AND RETURN TO THE LORD.
TAKE UP YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOW HIM.