Ash Wednesday Worship Service
St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
Ash Wednesday – Coronavirus
02-17-2021 7:00PM Worship
+ Repentance Through God’s Mercy +
THE CALL TO WORSHIP:
L The prophet Joel proclaims to us across many years and miles:
Blow the trumpet in Zion! Sound the alarm! Wake up the people! It’s almost too late!
C The DAY OF THE LORD is coming, the DAY OF THE LORD is near –
It will be a DAY of darkness and gloom, a DAY of trembling and turmoil.
L Declare a holy fast, call a solemn assembly, gather all the people, young and old!
Tear your hearts and not your garments! Come with fasting and weeping! Stop your eating and start your crying!
Bring your trembling and your tears! It’s time to pray, it’s time to beg for mercy! tremble, pray, and beg for mercy!
C Return to the Lord your God, for God is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.
Who knows? God may yet turn and have pity on us.
CONFESSION OF OUR SINS AND FORGIVENESS:
L Children of God, Paul wrote to the Corinthian Christians: “Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of
salvation.” These words remind us of our tendency to procrastinate, to delay thinking and doing what truly matters in
life. Let’s not wait. Let us confess our mortality, our sin, and our struggle to be faithful, as we are, today and now.
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. Revive my spirit. Give me new life. Amen.
IMPOSITION OF ASHES… 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.” AS WE WALK WITH JESUS TO CALVARY, WE JOURNEY TOWARD A DEATH OF SELF TO ETERNAL LIFE IN HIM!
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.
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.]
A SCRIPTURE READING 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!
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”
- 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.
+ 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.
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.