Ash Wednesday
Preservice Music
“Jesus, I Will Ponder Now” (Tune: Jesu Kreuz, Leiden und Pein)
Johann Gottfried Walther
Prelude
Flute Sonata in E minor, BWV 1034
J.S. Bach
Gathering
Opening Hymn #657 (blue hymnal)
“The Glory of These Forty Days”
1 The glory of these forty days
we celebrate with songs of praise;
for Christ, through whom all things were made,
himself has fasted and has prayed.
2 Alone and fasting Moses saw
the loving God who gave the law;
and to Elijah, fasting, came
the steeds and chariots of flame.
3 So Daniel trained his mystic sight,
delivered from the lions’ might;
and John, the Bridegroom’s friend, became
the herald of Messiah’s name.
4 Then grant, O God, that we may, too,
return in fast and prayer to you.
Our spirits strengthen with your grace,
and give us joy to see your face.
Exhortation
P: Brothers and sisters: As disciples of the Lord Jesus we are called to struggle against everything that leads us away from love of God and neighbor. Let us commit ourselves to this struggle and confess our sins, asking our Father for strength to persevere in our Lenten discipline.
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, who brings us safely through the sea, who gives us water from the rock, who leads us into the land of milk and honey.
C: Amen.
Confession
P: Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.
Silence is kept for reflection.
P: Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal,
C: have mercy on us.
P: For self-centered living, and for failing to walk with humility and gentleness:
C: Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy on us.
P: For longing to have what is not ours, and for hearts that are not at rest with ourselves:
C: Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy on us.
P: For misuse of human relationships, and for unwillingness to see the image of God in others:
C: Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy on us.
P: For jealousies that divide families and nations, and for rivalries that create strife and warfare:
C: Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy on us.
P: For reluctance in sharing the gifts of God, and for carelessness with the fruits of creation:
C: Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy on us.
P: For hurtful words that condemn, and for angry deeds that harm:
C: Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy on us.
P: For idleness in witnessing to Jesus Christ, and for squandering the gifts of love and grace:
C: Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy on us.
P: In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. Through the Holy Spirit God cleanses us and gives us the power to proclaim the mighty acts of the one who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light.
As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins,
In the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
Imposition of Ashes
P: Almighty God, you have created us out of the dust of the earth. May these ashes be a sign of our mortality and penitence, reminding us that only by the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ are we given eternal life; through the same Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C: Amen.
Those who wish to come forward to the altar rail may do so as directed. Those who wish to impose their own ashes may remain at their seat.
P: Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.
Hymn #295 (green hymnal)
“Out of the Depths I Cry to You”
1 Out of the depths I cry to you;
O Father, hear me calling.
Incline your ear to my distress
in spite of my rebelling.
Do not regard my sinful deeds.
Send me the grace my spirit needs;
without it I am nothing.
2 All things you send are full of grace;
you crown our lives with favor.
All our good works are done in vain
without our Lord and Savior.
We praise the God who gives us faith
and saves us from the grip of death;
our lives are in his keeping.
3 It is in God that we shall hope,
and not in our own merit.
We rest our fears in his good Word
and trust his Holy Spirit.
His promise keeps us strong and sure;
we trust the holy signature
inscribed upon our temples.
4 My soul is waiting for the Lord
as one who longs for morning;
no watcher waits with greater hope
than I for his returning.
I hope as Israel in the Lord;
he sends redemption through his Word.
We praise him for his mercy.
After those who desire ashes have received them, the minister continues.
P: Accomplish in us, O God, the work of your salvation,
C: that we may show forth your glory in the world.
P: By the cross and passion of your Son, our Savior,
C: bring us with all your saints to the joy of his resurrection.
P: Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, does not desire the death of sinners, but rather that they may turn from their wickedness and live. Therefore, we implore him to grant us repentance and his Holy Spirit, that those things may please him which we do on this day, and that at the last we may come to his eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
Prayer of the Day
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Let us pray. Almighty and ever-living God, you hate nothing you have made, and you forgive the sins of all who are penitent. Create in us new and honest hearts, so that, truly repenting of our sins, we may receive from you, the God of all mercy, full pardon and forgiveness through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
The Word
Blessing of the Lector
P: Even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart. Return to the Lord, your God, who is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.
Let us pray. Bless Sherry, O God of mercy, and bless us as we listen to the words of the scriptures. May they touch our hearts and lead us to return to you, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
First Lesson: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
1 Blow the trumpet in Zion;
sound the alarm on my holy mountain!
Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble,
for the day of the LORD is coming, it is near—
2 a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and thick darkness!
Like blackness spread upon the mountains
a great and powerful army comes;
their like has never been from of old,
nor will be again after them
in ages to come.
12 Yet even now, says the LORD,
return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
13 rend your hearts and not your clothing.
Return to the LORD, your God,
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,
and relents from punishing.
14 Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,
and leave a blessing behind him,
a grain offering and a drink offering
for the LORD, your God?
15 Blow the trumpet in Zion;
sanctify a fast;
call a solemn assembly;
16 gather the people.
Sanctify the congregation;
assemble the aged;
gather the children,
even infants at the breast.
Let the bridegroom leave his room,
and the bride her canopy.
17 Between the vestibule and the altar
let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep.
Let them say, “Spare your people, O LORD,
and do not make your heritage a mockery,
a byword among the nations.
Why should it be said among the peoples,
‘Where is their God?’ ”
The word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Psalmody: Hymn #216 (maroon hymnal)
“Give Me a Clean Heart”
Refrain (Leader):
Give me a clean heart so I may serve thee.
Lord, fix my heart so that I may be used by thee.
For I’m not worthy of all these blessings.
Give me a clean heart and I’ll follow thee.
Refrain (All):
Give me a clean heart so I may serve thee.
Lord, fix my heart so that I may be used by thee.
For I’m not worthy of all these blessings.
Give me a clean heart and I’ll follow thee.
Leader
I’m not asking for the riches of the land.
I’m not asking for the proud to know my name.
Please give me, Lord, a clean heart, that I may follow thee.
Give me a clean heart, a clean heart and I will follow thee.
Refrain (All)
Leader
Sometimes I am up and sometimes I am down.
Sometimes I am almost level to the ground.
Please give me, Lord, a clean heart, that I may follow thee.
Give me a clean heart, a clean heart and I will follow thee.
Refrain (All)
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:20b–6:10
20b We entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
6:1 As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says,
“At an acceptable time I have listened to you,
and on a day of salvation I have helped you.”
See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! 3 We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, 7 truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see—we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
The word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the 6th chapter.
C: Glory to you, O Lord.
Jesus said to the disciples: 1 “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2 “So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
5 “And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 6 But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
16 “And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
P: The Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to you, O Christ.
Children’s Sermon
Sermon
Silence for reflection and meditation.
Hymn of the Day #91 (green hymnal)
“Savior, When in Dust to You” v. 1-3
1 Savior, when in dust to you
low we bow in homage due;
when, repentant, to the skies
scarce we lift our weeping eyes;
oh, by all your pains and woe
suffered once for us below,
bending from your throne on high,
hear our penitential cry!
2 By your helpless infant years,
by your life of want and tears,
by your days of deep distress
in the savage wilderness,
by the dread, mysterious hour
of the insulting tempter’s pow’r,
turn, oh, turn a fav’ring eye;
hear our penitential cry!
3 By your hour of dire despair,
by your agony of prayer,
by the cross, the nail, the thorn,
piercing spear, and torturing scorn,
by the gloom that veiled the skies
o’er the dreadful sacrifice,
listen to our humble sigh;
hear our penitential cry!
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Prayers of Intercession
A: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.
After each petition:
A: Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
After the last petition:
A: Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
The Peace
P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: And also with you.
Invitation to Offering
Offering Prayer
A: Let us pray. God our provider, you have not fed us with bread alone, but with words of grace and life. Bless us and these your gifts, which we receive from your bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
The Meal
The Great Thanksgiving
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them to the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
P: In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
The Lord’s Prayer
P: Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.
Invitation to Communion
P: Jesus says to you, “Your sins are forgiven.”
The Body of Christ, broken for you.
The Blood of Christ, shed for you.
All eat bread and drink wine or juice at their seat.
Communion Hymn #296 (green hymnal)
“Just As I Am, without One Plea” v. 1-5
1 Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidd’st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
2 Just as I am, and waiting not
to rid my soul of one dark blot,
to thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
3 Just as I am, though tossed about
with many a conflict, many a doubt,
fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
4 Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
sight, riches, healing of the mind,
yea, all I need in thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
5 Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Table Blessing
P: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
C: Amen.
Prayer after Communion
A: Let us pray. Compassionate God, you have fed us with the bread of heaven. Sustain us in our Lenten pilgrimage: may our fasting be hunger for justice; our alms, a making of peace; and our prayer, the song of grateful hearts, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C: Amen.
Sending
Blessing
P: Jesus took the form of a servant and was obedient to death, even death on a cross. May you follow his example and share in the resurrection.
C: Amen.
P: In faithfulness to God, Jesus gave his life as a ransom for many. May you walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God.
C: Amen.
P: On the cross of Calvary Jesus bore our grief and carried our sorrows. May his Passion bring you healing and peace.
C: Amen.
P: Almighty God, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.
C: Amen.
Closing Hymn #102 (green hymnal)
“On My Heart Imprint Your Image”
On my heart imprint your image,
blessed Jesus, king of grace,
that life’s troubles nor its pleasures
ever may your work erase.
Let the clear inscription be:
Jesus, crucified for me,
is my life, my hope’s foundation,
all my glory and salvation!
Dismissal
A: Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Postlude
“Abide with Me! Fast Falls the Eventide”
Sigvart A. Hofland
Worship Leaders
The Rev. Emily Beckering, Pastor
Kris Keith, Music Director
Kate Wollenburg, Organist
Noah Moorhouse, Assisting Minister
Sherry Bronner, Reader
Upcoming Events
Thursday, March 3
10:30 am Bible study (Sunday’s readings)
March 6: First Sunday in Lent
9 am Sunday School / Adult Forum
10:30 am Worship Service
After Worship: Evangelism Committee
2 pm Crochet Workshop
Monday, March 7
5:30 pm Confirmation Class
7 pm Christian Ed meeting (VBS planning)
Wednesday, March 9
6 pm Bell Choir rehearsal
Thursday, March 10
10:30 am Bible study (Sunday’s readings)
6 pm BSA Troop Meeting
Friday, March 11
7 pm Scouts Lock-in begins
Saturday, March 12
12 pm-2 pm Baby shower!
Copyright Notices
Out of the Depths I Cry to You: Tr. by Gracia Grindal © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress.
Give Me a Clean Heart: Text and music © 1970 Margaret J. Douroux, admin. Augsburg Fortress.
Hymns/anthems: Music reprinted and streamed by permission under ONE LICENSE #A-726103 and CCLI Licenses #21045423 and #21045416. All rights reserved.
Liturgical texts and service music: From SundaysandSeasons.com. Copyright © 2021 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS010308.