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Ministers Through the Word

Pastor Cindy - Senior Pastor

Raymond Maleke - Associate Pastor

Stacy Hoover - Minister of Youth & Family Minisries

Ministers Through Music

Terri Bush - Director of Music

Bonnie Leonhart - Organist

Ministers Through Service

Samuel Wigal - Live Stream Coordinator

Oder of Worship

Ash Wednesday

February 17^th, 2021

* Indicates where people may stand as they are able.

Bold indicates words spoken in unison.

Prelude

Call to Worship

A trumpet sounds from afar.

Listen, God is calling.

What does the Lord say to us?

Now is the time. Today is the day.

Our sins cover us like mist upon the mountains.

But you, Lord, have shown us your forgiveness.

Praise our God of grace and constant compassion!

Thanks be to our Lord!

Opening Prayer

Our hearts are laid bare before you, Lord. You see us as no one else does. You see past the impostor’s masks we wear. O God, we come to worship you, not with empty words and hollow acts of piety, but with lonely, aching spirits. We long for the days of joy and gladness we have known with you. Fold back the darkness that surrounds us. Show us your mercy. Cover us with your grace. We return our whole hearts to you this day, as we pray humbly together in Jesus’s name. Amen.

Opening Hymn

UMH 269

Lord, Who through these Forty Days 

1. Lord, Who throughout these forty days For us didst fast and pray, Teach us with Thee to mourn our sins And close by Thee to stay.

2. And through these days of penitence, And through Thy passiontide, Yea, evermore in life and death, Jesus, with us abide.

3.Abide with us, that so, this life Of suffering over past, An Easter of unending joy We may attain at last.

Prayer of Confession (Psalm 51)

Lord, you abound in grace and mercy. Wash away our guilt and cleanse us from our sins. There’s no way to hide what we’ve done. Our misdeeds constantly confront us. We deserve your judgment. But we plead for your forgiveness. You alone can change us and transform us. You alone can restore our joy. Create a pure heart within us, Lord. Renew us, revive us, and uphold us. Open our mouths, that we might proclaim your praises. Give voice to your songs of deliverance. Amen.

Words of Assurance (Psalm 51)

The Lord takes little pleasure in our earthly offerings but delights in the sacrifice of our broken spirits. God will never turn away a wounded heart.

Choir Anthem

Scripture

2 Corinthians 5:20-6:10

Meditation

Response to the Word

We make a show of our faith and devotion on far too many occasions, Lord. We pride ourselves in our eloquent yet insincere prayers, fooling ourselves that you give credence to such nonsense. We forget that you already know our needs long before we begin to pray. We store up treasures on earth, rather than in heaven. O God, we earnestly seek your forgiveness. Return us to your secret place of divine wisdom and holy mystery— the place where you are always ready to meet us, the inner chamber of our hearts— where we worship you in spirit and truth. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Invitation to the Imposition of Ashes (Joel, 2 Cor 5-6, Matt 6)

Blow the trumpet in Zion and assemble the congregation as we tremble in anticipation. The day of the Lord is near! We come ready to listen, watch, and wait. We come prepared to cleanse our souls and purge our spirits of all impurities. The time is right, and the time is now. May the ashes of our lives bring healing within, as we receive a reminder of the suffering you endured to bring healing. We ask for God’s blessing, and God’s ever-present love and mercy, as we receive the sign of our willingness to walk with Christ all the way to the cross. Amen. (Sara Lambert)

Closing Hymn

UMH 451

Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me

1. Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee; let the water and the blood, from thy wounded side which flowed, be of sin the double cure; save from wrath and make me pure.

2. Not the labors of my hands can fulfill thy law's commands; could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow, all for sin could not atone; thou must save, and thou alone.

3. Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross I cling; naked, come to thee for dress; helpless, look to thee for grace; foul, I to the fountain fly; wash me, Savior, or I die.

Benediction

Though we were overwhelmed by sorrow, we can rejoice in Christ. Though we were dead, we are alive in Christ. Though we had nothing, we possess everything in Christ. In Christ, the day of deliverance has dawned! Amen!

Postlude