Ash Wednesday Reflection
for the Community.
Modern Song Focus on Contemporary Church Artists
performing hymns of traditional foundation.
Everyone is Welcome!
Ash Wednesday Introduction:
We begin our Lenten journey with the reminder that from ashes we have come and to ashes we will return and leave with that symbol of ashes in the form of a cross upon our foreheads as a lasting reminder of our fragile physical mortality. It is our spirituality that will live on.
We do not blame the Lord for natural disasters yet we pray for his assistance in healing our broken lives.
Our psalm today is a lament to the Lord about our experiences with dust, disaster and deceit. Martin Luther said this psalm contains instruction about the chief parts of our religion: repentance, sin, grace, and justification, as well as worship we ought to render to the Lord.
Paul certainly had competition in Corinth. We can imagine the challenge, even today, in convincing all believers and non-believers to get behind Jesus Christ and the Good News.
Alms, prayer and fasting are three gestures of piety Jesus speaks of in Matthew. Jesus informs us that these gestures are without merit if we lack appropriate spirituality to motivate them. Do not confuse God’s glory with self deception.
Savior, More than Life to Me
Fanny Crosby (1875).
performed by Harding Concert Choir
Ash Wednesday Scripture:
Return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing. Joel 2:13.
Shout out, do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins. Is. 58:1.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Ps. 51:1.
We entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 2 Cor. 5:20.
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. Matt. 6:1.
Prayer:
Righteous God,
in humility and repentance
we bring our failures in caring, helping, and loving,
we bring the pain we have caused other,
we bring the injustice in society of which we are a part,
to the transforming power of your grace.
Grant us the courage to accept the healing you offer
and to turn again toward the sunrise of your reign,
that we may walk with you in the promise of peace
you have willed for all the children of the earth,
and have made known to us in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Spirit Divine, Attend Our Prayers
Andrew Reed (1829).
Prayer:
Gracious and merciful God,
you see into the secret places of our hearts,
where we mourn our sins.
As we turn again to your grace, receive our prayers.
Look with mercy on our contrite hearts,
wash from us the stain of iniquity,
and create a new and right spirit in us,
that we may declare your praise
and offer an acceptable sacrifice in these Lenten days;
through Christ Jesus, who bore our sins on the cross. Amen.
O! for a Closer Walk with God
William Cowper (1772).
performed by Charles Stanford Manchester Choir
Prayer:
O God, you delight not in pomp and show,
but in a humble and contrite heart.
Overturn our love of worldly possessions
and fix our hearts more firmly on you,
that, having nothing,
we may yet possess everything,
a treasure stored up for us in heaven. Amen.
Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery
Marty Haugen
performed by Richard and Bro. Pasky Church of St. Mary
We are all stewards spreading the Word of Jesus’ blessings for His people.
Picnic Fellowship Activities for the Entire Family!
Of course lively discussion and activities will be available!
Perhaps you may prefer to sit and visit!
Please Contact Us with Special Requests!