Ash Wednesday: A Time for Fasting

Hymn: “Jesus Calls Us O’er the Tumult” 
OR “Listen” 

HS 371
NS 30

Welcome and Invitation to Worship

If you forgive the faults of others, Abba God will forgive you yours. If you don’t forgive others, neither will Abba God forgive you. And when you fast, don’t look depressed like the hypocrites. They deliberately neglect their appearance to let everyone know that they are fasting. The truth is, they have already received their reward. But when you fast, brush your hair and wash your face. Don’t let anyone know you’re fasting except your Abba God, who sees all that is done in secret. And Abba God-who sees everything that is done in secret-will reward you. Don’t store up earthly treasures for yourselves, which moths and rust destroy and thieves can break in and steal. But store up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where neither moth nor rust can destroy them and thieves cannot break in and steal them. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be as well.

-Matthew 6:14-21 The Inclusive New Testament

*Hymn of Praise: “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”
OR “Humble Yourself” 

 HS 31
NS 17

*Prayer of Invocation

Follow the Christ

The Message

(Consider a message on fasting. Talk about plants/bulbs that require a time of “fasting” by being taken out of the ground, kept in a darkened place, and not fed, in order to blossom again when replanted. In order for us to find that blossom in our lives, we must spend our time of doing without.)

Scripture Reading:

Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, and with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God, for God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and God will turn away the evil from you.

-Joel 2:12, 13, adapted

Hymn: “Dear Lord and God of Humankind” 
OR Special Music: “Like the Murmur of the Dove’s Song” 

HS 115
SP 11

Prayer Requests

Hymn: “There Is a Balm in Gilead” 
OR “Lay Your Hands” 

HS 147
NS 27

Prayers

Hymn: “Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart” 
OR “God! When Human Bonds Are Broken” 

Testimonies

*Hymn of Affirmation: “Take My Life and Let It Be”
OR “Though the Mountains May Fall” 

*Benediction

HS 181
SP 18

 HS 408
NS 50