Ash Wednesday Service 7:00 pm, Cowan Chapel

Ash Wednesday Service

Union Church, February 13, 2013

Meditation

Would you become a pilgrim on the road of Love? The first condition is that you make yourself humble as dust and ashes.

—Ansarit of Herat

Bell Introit

Call to Worship from Seasons of the Spirit

One: We meet you here because we can and because we need to.

All: We are people in need of your grace, which shapes your forgiveness and gives new life.

One: We meet you here because we can and because we need to.

All: We need to be forgiven and break free from the sin that binds us and prevents the fullness of life.

One: We meet you here because we can and because you invite us.

All: May your love kindle our rebirth your grace, love us back to life and your call name us as your beloved.

Choir Anthem Again We Keep This Solemn Fast Etrhalt Uns, Herr

1. Again we keep this solemn fast, a gift of faith from ages past, this Lent which binds us lovingly to faith and hope and charity.

2. The laws and prophets from of old in figured ways this Lent foretold, which Christ, all ages’ Sovereign Guide, in these last days has sanctified.

3. More sparing, therefore, let us make the words we speak, the food we take, our sleep, our laughter, every sense, learn peace through holy penitence.

4. Let us avoid each harmful way that lures the careless mind astray; by watchful prayer our spirits free from scheming of the Enemy.

5. We pray, O blessed Three-in-One, our God while endless ages run, that this, our Lent of forty days, may bring us growth and give you praise.

First Reading Psalm 103

Second Reading “Psalm 103” Walker Percy

Repeat. Do you read? Do you read?

Are you in trouble?

How did you get in trouble?

If you are in trouble, have you sought help?

If you did, did help come?

If it did, did you accept it? Are you out of trouble?

What is the character of your consciousness?

Are you conscious?

Do you have a self? Do you know who you are?

Do you know what you are doing?

Do you love? Do you know how to love?

Are you loved? Do you hate?

Do you read me?

Come back. Repeat. Come back. Come back. Come back.

Third Reading Psalm 103

Meditation Rev. Gilbert and Rev. Small Stokes

Prayer of Confession from Celebrate God’s Presence:

A Book of Services for the United Church of Canada

Please join in singing

One: Lent is a journey of deepening reflection and renewal, an opportunity to make new commitments in faith. We prepare for the journey by setting aside burdens that would weigh us down. Let us turn to God and confess our sin. For the times when we are too rushed to care, when we are too tired to bother, when we don’t really listen, when we act from motives other than love,

All: God, forgive us.

(Sung refrain)

One: For our incapacity to feel the sufferings of others, and our tendency to live comfortably with injustice,

All: God, forgive us.

(Sung refrain)

One: For our failings in community, Our lack of understanding,

All: God, forgive us.

(Sung refrain)

One: For our lack of forgiveness, openness, sensitivity,

All: God, forgive us.

One: For the self-righteousness that denies guilt, and the self-interest that strangles compassion,

All: God, forgive us.

(Sung refrain)

All: Amen.

Imposition of Ashes

The ashes of last year’s Palm Sunday fronds were burnt and prepared for use tonight. The ashes, symbolizing sin and distance from God and our best selves, are mixed with oil, a sign of God’s blessing, forgiveness and anointing for special purpose. We begin our Lenten journey in humility and in hope by placing the ashes and oil on our heads or hands. All are invited to come forward for a blessing and to receive ashes. You do not have to be a member of this church, or any church, to mark this sacred time and journey.

You are invited to meditate with the Taize chants “Bless the Lord, My Soul,” and “Wait for the Lord,” joining the singing as you are led, adding harmonies, listening in silence, or any combination of these. We will sing the chant until ashes have been distributed to all who wish to receive them.

Songs of Prayer Bless the Lord Wait for the Lord

Closing Prayer Lenten Psalm of Awakening Edward Hays

Come, O life-giving Creator,

and rattle the door latch

of my slumbering heart.

Awaken me as you breathe upon

a winter-wrapped earth,

gently calling to life virgin Spring.

Awaken in these fortified days

of Lenten prayer and discipline

my youthful dream of holiness.

Call me forth from the prison camp