Greeting & Explanation of the service
Ash Wednesday Service
Jordan White Music Graves Into Gardens Elevation Worship
Scripture Reading Joel 2:12-17 Lauren Bleecker“ Even now,” declares the Lord,“ return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave behind a blessing— grain offerings and drink offerings for the Lord your God. Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly. Gather the people, consecrate the assembly; bring together the elders, gather the children, those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride her chamber. Let the priests, who minister before the Lord, weep between the portico and the altar. Let them say,“ Spare your people, Lord. Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, where is their God?’”
Prayer( in unison) Lord, we confess to you that we have not loved as we ought. We have been impatient with others with whom we could have been patient. We have made decisions based on our preferences rather than Your purposes. I need thee, every hour I need thee. We have chosen our own way when you have called us to follow the way of the cross. We have been too quick to complain and too slow to show gratitude. We have filled our lives with all kinds of noise instead of waiting for the voice of our Shepherd. Transform our hearts and mind that we may reflect the very nature of Jesus.
Music Come As You Are Crowder( After the reading of the Scripture we will take time to be silent. Pay attention to what word or phrase strikes your heart and mind. Listen to what the Lord might guiding you in the path of transformation during this Lenten season.)
Scripture readings
Saisha Meredith
I Corinthians 13:1-7 If I speak I the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patent, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Romans 12:1-2
Courtney Ellis Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’ s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God— this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
A Time of Quiet Meditation Scripture Reading
Katy Wilson
Luke 6:35-36 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’ s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God— this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Quiet Meditation Scripture reading
Erin Minks
Matthew 6:3-10 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’ s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God— this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Quiet Meditation Message Receiving of Ashes
Rev. Tom McGilliard
Music O, Come to the Altar Elevation Worship Benediction
Rev. Chris Neikirk, Rev. Tom McGilliard
Maggie Maetschke