Peter K. Perry Prescott United Methodist Church Prescott, Arizona USA mailto:pkperry@cableone.net http://www.prescottumc.com A Service for Ash Wednesday March 8, 2000 Prescott United Methodist Church The sanctuary is dimly lit and the music plays softly in the background as we gather her tonight for worship. We come to make confession to God, to hear the promise of the Gospel that we are loved, to share together in Holy Communion as we begin our spiritual pilgrimage through Lent. May God's spirit touch you as wee worship here this evening. The Gathering People of God, draw near into God's presence. Do not fear gazing into the darkness of our own sin. Know that sin never has the last word. Know that darkness cannot endure the light of God's love. Know that you are the beloved of God and believe the promises...God is faithful and just and if we confess our sins, God will forgive us and restore us to a right relationship. God is in our midst this evening. God is here. Let us unite our hearts and minds now in worship, as we come into God's house and offer our confession on this night. Psalm 51:1-3 Sung Response #483 Kyrie Eleison. Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy. Isaiah 58:1-9 Sung Response #494 Kum Ba Yah, my Lord, kum ba yah. Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah. Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah. O Lord, kum ba yah. Mark 2:15-20 Sung Response #177 He Is Lord, he is Lord! He is risen from the dead and he is Lord! Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord! Romans 7:14-25 Sung Response #488 Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Psalm 23 Lonesome Valley Celebration Choir Psalm 51:10-13 Create in me a clean heart, oh God, that I might serve You; Create in me a clean heart, oh God, that I might be renewed. So fill me, heal me, then bring me back to You. Create in me a clean heart, oh God, that I might serve You. (c) 1989 Big Steps 4 U (ASCAP) CCLI License No. xxxxxxx A Time of Silent Confession The Assurance in Song Your Love, O God, #120 Ash Wednesday Reflections Peter K. Perry Communion Hymn Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence, #626 The Sharing of the Ashes and The Elements God calls the people to repentance. We are summoned to die with Christ and to live with Christ. We are called to realize our imperfect humanity, on the one hand, and the perfect forgiveness of Christ Jesus, on the other. We commit ourselves this night to begin a journey of personal pray and reflection, and spiritual discipline. We ask that by the power of the Holy Spirit we may enter into new levels of faith and commitment. We claim God's overwhelming forgiveness and love for us. We share the cup and the loaf. We remember the night when Jesus gathered the disciples in the Upper Room and broke the bread and shared the cup. "This bread is my body," he said. "This cup is my blood," he said. "Broken and poured out for you," he said. We remember his words. We remember his sacrifice. We take our place at this table tonight. We receive the mark of the ashes on this night. We wear the mark as an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual thing. It is a symbol of our hearts, offered up to God, broken and contrite, stained by sin, yet redeemable in God's mercy. Create in me, O God, a new heart, this night. Restore my soul. Revive my being. Accept my desire to be made new. Amen. Invitation and Consecration Pastor Perry All are invited to come forward down the center aisle, to receive the bread, dip it in the cup, and share in the sacrament of Holy Communion. Following communion, you will receive the mark of the cross in ashes upon your forehead. You will hear the words spoken to you, "Repent and believe the gospel. You are loved by God!" Return to your seat by a side aisle. As we share in the sacrament and the imposition of ashes, you are invited to sing along as the following hymns are played: Let Us Break Bread Together, #618 One Bread, One Body, #620 Because Thou Hast Said, #635 Closing Affirmation Repent and believe the Gospel! You are loved by God! Repent and believe the Gospel! We are loved by God! Repent and believe the Gospel! I am loved by God! Go in peace. Amen. Benediction Song On Eagle's Wings, #143 And God will raise you up on Eagle's wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of God's hand.