Ash Wednesday Service
Ash Wednesday Prayer Service
There is no prelude. The congregation enters quietly. There is a large
cross up front, if possible in shadows. Just before the Call to Worship, the
presider should greet the congregation and read or paraphrase: "Today
is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. It is a day of penitence, so each can
cleanse the soul before we begin our Lenten fast."
Call to Worship: Joel 2: 2–16 or 17
The scripture should be divided among readers of several
generations.
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*Opening Hymn: "Hosea"
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NS 15 |
*Invocation
*Response
Scripture Reading
For two readers, female and male.
Reader 1: Psalm 51:1–3
Reader 2: Psalm 51:6–9
Reader 1: Psalm 51:10–12
Reader 2: Psalm 51:13–14
Reader 1: Psalm 51:15
Reader 2: Psalm 51:16
Both:
Psalm 51:17
Confession/Repentance
Play quiet, meditative music during this portion of the service.
Paper and pencils are handed to each person as they enter the
sanctuary. There is a container of small wooden crosses sitting by the
larger cross. Instruct the congregation to write on the piece of paper
something they are confessing or repenting from. After writing, each
person will bring the paper and leave it at foot of the cross and then
pick up one of the small crosses.
Season of Prayer
Scripture Reading: Doctrine and Covenants 90:8a–b
Talk
What does it mean to be Jesus’ friend?
What does it mean to be the world’s servant for Jesus’ sake?
As I walk with Jesus toward the cross, what is keeping me from being
His friend?
When you feel a desire for the thing you are fasting from, let it be a
prompting to pray and keep focused.
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Hymn: "O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee"
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HS 462 |
Commitment
Instruct the congregation to write on their crosses one thing they
are willing to fast from or give up during Lent. Explain that the
fasting should prepare them to walk more closely with Christ, by
allowing them to explore their relationship with Jesus. The crosses
should be made of smooth softwood, so they can be written on with a
ball point pen. Play meditative music during this time.
After the people have written on their crosses, the presider and
the person who has given the talk drape the large cross with purple or
violet cloth. Explain that the color is used during Lent because it
symbolizes penance and reflection. The cross was the instrument of
Jesus’ suffering, crucifixion, and death, but it also symbolizes
Jesus’ victory and our hope. Looking at it reminds us that Jesus
calls us to love God, our neighbors, and ourselves. It prompts us to
make changes, removing the things that get in the way.
Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:16–21
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Hymn: "Take the Path of the Disciple"
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R-19 |
Congregational Prayer
| Leader: |
God of Creation, Maker of Life—
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| Congregation: |
We stand before you, looking to the
cross, preparing for the journey.
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| Leader: |
Walk with us, we pray, during this season—
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| Congregation: |
Hold us up when we stumble, lift us up
when we fall.
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| Leader: |
Help us always to keep the cross within
our sight, that we may walk with Jesus as he walks to the cross,
that we may recognize our sins that keep us from accepting Your
love.
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| Congregation: |
Help us to admit to our sin, O God of
Love, to ourselves if not to the world—
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| Leader: |
But help us to remember that the Love
that You are cannot be defeated—
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| Congregation: |
Unless it is ignored.
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| Leader: |
That even in our ignoring, Your Love is
still there. And help us to remember, O God—
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| Congregation: |
That any sacrifices of this time are
given up only as our gift to You.
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| Leader: |
As we hold ourselves up to You, O God—
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| All: |
Hold us up against our sin.
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| Leader: |
Amen.
—Inspired in part by Søren Kierkegaard.
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Postlude
Following the prayer the congregation leaves the sanctuary in silence
as quiet music plays. This postlude could be a piano, flute, or stringed
instrument quietly playing "Take the Path of the Disciple," R-19
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