Ash Wednesday Service

Ash Wednesday Service -February 14, 2024
www.balzacunitedchurch.com

Clergy: Kelly Grittner

Worship Service Leader: Dr Alex Shawn
Music Ministry: Lee Dowan, Dr Alex Shawn

Prelude: Beneath the Cross of Jesus arr. M. Hayes

Welcome and Announcements

Service Link
Bulletin link
Hymn Link
Message Link

Land Acknowledgement:
“As we gather together, let us pause to remember that we live, work, and worship on lands that are, by law, the unceded territories of the nations of Treat 7. As Christ’s people, may we be people of love, of truth, and of reconciliation. May we live with respect on this land, and in peace and friendship with its people.”

Invitation to Worship:
The Grace of the Lord, Jesus Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins.
God’s mercy endures forever.

Hymn: Throughout these Lenten Days and Nights VU 108

Opening Prayer:
Holy One, create in us a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within us. Do not cast us away from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from us. Lead us anew in the paths of life that we might return to you with all our heart.
Amen

Hymn: Dust and Ashes Touch our Face VU 105

Scripture:

Joel 2:12 – 13

Psalm 51 Refrain 2 (Beginning on the last paragraph of p. 776)

Homily: “We are but Dust, and to Dust we shall Return” – Listen to the message here

Thanksgiving Over Ashes:
God of dust and ash, you fashioned us from the dust of the earth, and to dust we shall return.
May the ashes from last year’s palms that we place on our foreheads this day remind us of who we are and whose we are.
Draw us back to you, O God, for you are gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.
Heal the hardness of our hearts, that we may be faithful disciples of the one who makes all things new. Amen.

The Sign of the Cross with Ashes:
You are invited to come forward and receive the sign of the cross on your forehead or on your hand. As you are marked, you will hear the words: “God loves you. You are forgiven.”

Music: I’d Rather Have Jesus arr. M. Hayes

Prayer:
God of love, as in Jesus Christ, you gave yourself to us, so may we give ourselves to you, living according to your holy will. Keep our feet firmly in the way where Christ leads us; make our mouths speak the truth that Christ teaches us; fill us with the life that is Christ within us. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Offering Prayer (no collections plate passed)

Pastoral Prayer followed by the Lord’s Prayer:

Closing Hymn: Breathe on Me, Breath of God – VU 382

Commissioning and Benediction:
God be in your head, and in your understanding.
God be in your eyes, and in your looking.
God be in your mouth, and in your speaking.
God be in your heart, and in your loving.
God be at your end, and at your departing. Amen.
(Attributed to St. Patrick – 13th Century)

Postlude: Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart arr. M. Hayes