All Saints’ Parish Church,

Streetly

Ash Wednesday Eucharist

Wednesday 17 February 2021

at 7.30pm

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Welcome Everyone!

Welcome to All Saints’ Parish Eucharist on Ash Wednesday when the church

marks the beginning of the season of Lent. The characteristic notes of Lent

are – reflection, self-examination and change in preparation for Easter. It is

also a time almsgiving.

Ashes are an ancient sign of penitence; from the Middle Ages, it was

customary to begin Lent by being marked in ash with the sign of the cross.

This year due to the pandemic we are offering everyone some ashes in a

small bottle with an opportunity to use these either at home following a

simple said service sheet or as part of this service online.

The forty days of Lent are calculated from Ash Wednesday to the end of

Holy Week (not including Sundays). Our tradition at All Saints during Lent is

to simplify liturgical dress, not to decorate the church with flowers and we

do not sing the Gloria in excelsis. However, the fourth Sunday of Lent is

known as Laudate or Refreshment Sunday is a day of relief from the rigour

of Lent and is the background to the modern observance of Mothering

Sunday. As Holy Week approaches, the atmosphere of the season darkens;

the readings begin to anticipate the story of Christ’s suffering and death.

During Lent this year, we will be doing things a little differently due to the

global pandemic. Our concern is your safety and wellbeing. We are

continuing to meet virtually on a variety of platforms, worshiping, praying,

going deeper in our discipleship journey together, keeping in touch and

serving the community together.

We offering ‘Lent in a Bag’, an opportunity for you to follow six short

reflections on your journey with God. Alongside this we are offering ‘#Live

Lent, God’s Story Our Story’ a small booklet of daily readings and reflections

between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday.

As part of our Lenten discipline, we are inviting you to make a donation to

the work of Kathryn Mercy Home, our overseas charity in Tamil Nadu, in

southern India. KMH offers orphans and widows a home. We are seeking to

help with a much-needed kitchen refurbishment. More details of how to give

are available in the notices or on our Facebook page.

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For those who can, we meet on Sundays at 10.00am and daily for Morning

Prayer at 8.00am and Evening Prayer at 6.00pm every day, via live stream

video on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/661805511300073

and on A Church Near You at

https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/4526/find-us/

We are meeting on Wednesdays and Thursdays during Lent on Zoom, for

fellowship and study 7.30pm-8.30pm.

The notice sheet provides more information about the life of Streetly Parish

and what is going on over the next few weeks. Notice sheets can be emailed

to you by contacting Lisa in the church office on 0121 353 3582 (Monday-

Friday 9.30-1.30pm) or you can collect a notice sheet from outside the

church lych-gate on Saturday-Monday. You can find out more about All

Saints’ Parish on the All Saints’ Facebook Group page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/661805511300073 or at a Church Near

You https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/4526/find-us/

Thank you to many who continue to give regularly to the mission and

ministry of the church. If you normally contribute on the plate or via

envelopes and you wish to continue giving you can send cheques payable to

All Saints’ Streetly PCC to the church office, or make electronic payments

into the Co-op bank Account No. 65317880, Sort Code 089299 (ref

surname and initial). Thank you for giving generously to maintain the Parish

Churches ministry and mission.

For more details, please talk to Revd Mandy Walker or email

revdmandywalker@btinternet.com. Alternatively, please telephone Lisa in

the Church Office on 0121 353 3582 or call Revd Mandy Walker on

07811 326204. Thank you.

We wish you peace and joy as we worship together as Christ’s Body. May

you be richly blessed as you prepare yourself for the season of Lent.

Reverend Mandy Walker, Vicar of All Saints’ Parish, Streetly

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Reflective Music

The Gathering Grace, mercy and peace

from God, our Father, and the Lord, Jesus Christ, be with you

All: and also with you.

Introduction Welcome to this service at the beginning of Lent as we journey with Jesus through the forty days and nights in the wilderness. Lent is a time of reflection, self-examination and change. It is a time to bring to God the parts of ourselves that need to change, to let go of destructive patterns and memories, and to move on with lighter tread. The ashes in this service are symbols of our sorrow and our mortality: we receive them gladly, as they can lead to change and to healing. A prayer for wholeness and healing reminds us that God will not allow sorrow and mortality to be the last word, that we are forgiven, and set free to live life to the full.

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Hymn

How deep the Father’s love for us, how vast beyond all measure, that He should give His only Son to make a wretch His treasure. How great the pain of searing loss - the Father turns His face away, as wounds which mar the Chosen One bring many sons to glory.

Behold the man upon a cross, my sin upon His shoulders; ashamed, I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers. It was my sin that held Him there until it was accomplished; his dying breath has brought me life - I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in anything, no gifts, no power, no wisdom; but I will boast in Jesus Christ, his death and resurrection. why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer; but this I know with all my heart - his wounds have paid my ransom.

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Responses

Glorious God, your thoughts are not our thoughts, neither are your ways our ways. You look at the ugliest soul and see, still unstirred, the wings of an angel.

All: We scan the finest of our neighbours, anxious to find the flaw.

You view time in the context of eternity, and so, find a place for waiting, for yearning, even for suffering, even for dying.

All: We demand instant results; and look for tomorrow before savouring today.

You know that only one who suffers Can ultimately save, That is why you walk the way of the cross.

All: We fear that vulnerability which defies our power; that is why we allow for crucifixion. Your thoughts are not our thoughts,

All: neither are your ways our ways.

And yet we know that your way is the ladder to heaven, while, left to our own devices, our ways slope downwards to hell. But we are here, not to have our worst confirmed, but to have our best liberated.

continued……

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So we pray. All: Forgive us what has gone wrong

repair in us what is wasted, reveal in us what is good.

And nourish us with better food than we could ever purchase; your word, your love, your inspiration, your daily bread for our life’s journey, in the company of Jesus Christ, our Lord

All: Amen.

Opening Prayer

Wilderness God, as we begin this journey through Lent help us to bring the whole of ourselves into the mystery of your presence. Your thoughts are not our thoughts, for you are beyond our imagination! Your ways are not our ways for we have lost the path of love. We come to you now in our weakness and vulnerability, to find in you our healing and wholeness. Meet us now in this place and time and be our guide as we find the path of love again.

All: Amen.

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Song

Empty Broken Here I Stand, Kyrie Eleison (Lord have mercy) Touch Me With Your Healing Hand, Kyrie Eleison. Take My Arrogance And Pride, Kyrie Eleison. Wash Me In Your Mercy’s Tide, Kyrie Eleison. Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison, Kyrie Eleison. When My Faith Has All but Gone, Kyrie Eleison, Give Me Strength To Carry On, Kyrie Eleison. When My Dreams Have Turned To Dust, Kyrie Eleison. In You, Oh Lord, I Put My Trust, Kyrie Eleison. Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison, Kyrie Eleison. When My Heart Is Cold As Ice, Kyrie Eleison. Your Love Speaks Of Sacrifice, Kyrie Eleison. Love That Sets The Captive Free, Kyrie Eleison. Oh Pour Compassion Down On Me. Kyrie Eleison.

continued……

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Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison, Kyrie Eleison. You’re The Voice That Calms My Fears, Kyrie Eleison. You’re The Laughter, Dries My Tears, Kyrie Eleison. You’re My Music, My Refrain, Kyrie Eleison. Help Me Sing Your Song Again. Kyrie Eleison. Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison, Kyrie Eleison. Humble Heart Of Holiness, Kyrie Eleison. Kiss Me With Your Tenderness, Kyrie Eleison. Jesus, Faithful Friend And True, Kyrie Eleison. All I Am I Give To You. Kyrie Eleison. Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison, Kyrie Eleison.

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A Poem – The Summer Day by Mary Oliver

Who made the world? Who made the swan, and the black bear? Who made the grasshopper? This grasshopper, I mean— the one who has flung herself out of the grass, the one who is eating sugar out of my hand, who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down— who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes. Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face. Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away. I don't know exactly what a prayer is. I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass, how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields, which is what I have been doing all day. Tell me, what else should I have done? Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon? Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?

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The Liturgy of the Word Psalm

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord. All: Lord hear my voice!

Let your ear be attentive to the voice of my supplications! If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand?

All: But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;

All: my souls waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning. O Israel, hope I the Lord! for with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem.

All: It is he who will redeem Israel from whom all its iniquities.

All: Glory to the father, and to the Son and to the Holy

Spirit, as it was in the beginning is now and shall be for ever. Amen.

Chant

Bless the Lord, my soul and bless God's holy name. Bless the Lord, my soul who leads me into life.

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Gospel Reading

Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory. The Lord is a great God, O that today you would listen to his voice. Harden not your hearts.

All: Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory.

Hear the Gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ, according to Matthew All: Glory to you, O Lord.

6 ‘Beware of practising your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 ‘So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 5 ‘And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 6 But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

16 ‘And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 19 ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal;

continued……

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20 but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6.1-6, 16-21

This is the Gospel of the Lord. All: Praise to you, O Christ.

Reflection

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

That is the last line of Mary Oliver’s poem, “The Summer Day.” We read earlier in the service.

I had never thought of my life as wild and precious until a friend introduced me to this poem. I love the invitation, the freedom, and the curiosity it expresses. It opens the heart, makes you want to dream, imagine the possibility of the impossible. It asks you to consider what really matters.

Its’ a question that I have heard many people ask since to beginning of the pandemic, what really matters in life, what am I doing with my life? What can I do with my life?

It is a good question for us to ponder on Ash Wednesday. I invite you to carry this question with you through Lent. Let it become your Lenten discipline. It is never too late to consider what we plan to do with the day that follows this one, however young or old we are. Ponder what it means for you to live a wild and precious life.

Sometimes it feels like Lent gets overly focused on what we have done, the things we have done and left undone, life has already been lived.But what if Lent is really about the life yet to be lived?

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What if this year, we give as much or more attention to where we are going as to where we have been? I would like to suggest Lent is an opportunity for us to reclaim and treasure what is wild and precious in life. Perhaps our greatest sins are the ones in which we tame and impoverish our lives.

I encourage us, this year to come at Lent differently. Lent is not a program for sin management! It is rather a time to discover and recover our one wild and precious life.

What does it mean for your life to be wild? I do not mean that we should be doing crazy things or live an unruly life. I am talking about being open, unbounded, and free to receive whatever comes to us, to be open to what we can neither control nor foresee. I am suggesting that we do not let the past define or domesticate us, and that we do not allow the present moment to close in and imprison us. I am talking about exposing ourselves to the risk of an unknown future – a wild life – and the possibility of something new, the chance of something different, something that will transform the present into something else.

Jesus said’ store up for yourselves treasures in heaved,. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’ (Matthew 6.20-21)

Sometimes we let fear, self-doubt, guilt, regrets, disappointments, or wounds tame our life. Every time we try to control our lives or live within the boundaries of what is safe and predictable we tame our life. And when our lives are tamed, we live less than who we truly are and want to be. Something is broken and lost.

This lent, go wild – wild with love, wild with compassion, wild with mercy, wild with forgiveness, wild with kindness, wild with life.

Our life is not only wild, but also precious. What does that mean to you? What makes your life so precious?

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It is not about what you have or how much you have. And it is not dependent on how others see you or what they think or say about you.

Jesus said ‘store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,… for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’ (Matthew 6.20-21)

This week at All Saints Ash Wednesday is embedded between two funerals. There was a funeral on Tuesday, and there will be another funeral on Friday. These demonstrate the preciousness of life in a graphic and tangible way. The preciousness of life is found in its fragility and mortality. Life is short and uncertain and we feel that very keenly now when so many have died due to Covid 19. The future is unforeseeable. We have learnt that again in a terrible way this last year.

Most of us know about the “too soon” of death. This does not, negate the value and beauty of life; it makes life even more precious. Everything and everyone matters. Nothing and no one are to be taken for granted. Not a minute of time is to be wasted or wished away. #Live Lent, the Church of England’s lent booklet is a good title. We are encouraged to live Lent, to live life within God’s story, our one wild, precious life.

The preciousness of life means that we are of infinite value. Do believe that about yourself? How would your life be different if you lived from a place of preciousness? If you saw others as precious?

In a few minutes, I will invite you to hold your ashes as I say these words. “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

When you hear them, I invite to ponder the question “what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” and to hear again Jesus’ words “ store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,….for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also’ (Matthew 6.20-21)

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Response Silence

The Imposition of Ashes and laying on of Hands

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ, I invite you to receive these ashes, as a symbol of our sorrow and our mortality and hands for wholeness and healing to remind us that we are forgiven and set free to live life to the full.

The small bottle of ashes and photograph of a child’s hand in a father’s hand are symbols for us to receive the imposition of ashes and laying on of hands. The minister says these words Dust you are and to dust you shall return.

You are my child, my beloved, know my healing love for you.

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Prayers of Intercession

For all who are struggling today With the depths of stress, depression, or mental illness. Out of the depths

All: We cry to you, O God.

For all who are facing their mortality today With illness or bad news. Out of the depths

All: We cry to you, O God.

For all who are bereaved today, Knowing we are dust, that we may also know we also are loved. Out of the depths

All: We cry to you, O God.

For all who are making resolutions today, Who long for change in their lives and for resolve to keep them. Out of the depths

All: We cry to you, O God.

The Liturgy of the Sacrament

The Peace

Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord, Jesus Christ, who has given us access to his grace. The peace of the Lord be always with you

All: and also, with you. Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

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Preparation of the Table

Take this moment, sign and space; Take my friends around; Here among us make the place Where your love is found. Take the time to call my name, Take the time to mend Who I am and what I’ve been, All I’ve failed to tend. Take the tiredness of my days, Take my past regret, Letting your forgiveness touch All I can’t forget Take the little child in me Scared of growing old; Help me here to find my worth Made in God’s own mould. Take my talents, take my skills, Take what’s yet to be; Let my life be yours, and yet Let it still be me.

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The Eucharistic Prayer The Lord is here. All: His Spirit is with us.

Lift up your hearts. All: We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God. All: It is right to give thanks and praise.

It is indeed right, it is our duty and our joy, at all times and in all places, to give you thanks and praise, Holy Father, heavenly King, almighty and eternal God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. And now we give you thanks, because you gave us the spirit of discipline, that we may triumph over evil and grow in grace, as we prepare to celebrate the paschal mystery, with mind and heart renewed. Therefore, with all the angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven, we proclaim your great and glorious name, for ever praising you and saying:

All: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.

Lord, you are holy indeed, the source of all holiness; grant that, by the power of your Holy Spirit and according to your will, these gifts of bread and wine may be to us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ;

who, in the same night that he was betrayed, took bread and gave you thanks;

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he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying: ‘Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’

In the same way, after supper, he took the cup and gave you thanks; he gave it to them, saying: ‘Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

Great is the mystery of faith: All: Christ has died.

Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

The Lord’s Prayer

President: As our Saviour taught us, so we pray: All: Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

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Agnus Dei All: Jesus, Lamb of God,

have mercy on us. Jesus, bearer of our sins, have mercy on us. Jesus, redeemer of the world, grant us peace.

Breaking of Bread Every time we eat this bread

and drink this cup, All: we proclaim the Lord’s death

until he comes.

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Giving of Communion The president says the invitation to communion.

Come to this table, not because you must, but because you may, not because you are strong, but because you are weak.

Come, not because any goodness of your own gives you a right to come, but because you need mercy and help.

Come, because you love the Lord a little and would like to love him more.

Come, because he loved you and gave himself for you. Come and meet the risen Christ, for we are his Body.

The Body of Christ. Amen. The Blood of Christ. Amen.

For those of us sharing spiritual communion at home via Facebook live, we are invited to open our hands to receive and say:

All: Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ,

for all the benefits you have given me, for all the pains and insults you have borne for me. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, I ask you to come spiritually into my heart. O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother, may I know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen.

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Song

Calm me, Lord, as you calmed the storm; Still me, Lord, keep me from harm. Let all the tumult within me cease, Enfold me, Lord, in your peace. Calm me, Lord, as you calmed the storm; Still me, Lord, keep me from harm. Let all the tumult within me cease, Lord, enfold me in your peace. Calm me, Lord, as you calmed the storm; Calm me, Lord, as you calmed the storm; Still me, Lord, keep me from harm. Let all the tumult within me cease, Enfold me, Lord, in your peace. Calm me, Lord, as you calmed the storm; Still me, Lord, keep me from harm. Let all the tumult within me cease, Enfold me, Lord, in your peace. Oe oe oe oe oe oe oe oe oe oe oe Oe oe oe oe oe oe oe oe oe oe oe Calm me, Lord, as you calmed the storm; Still me, Lord, keep me from harm. Let all the tumult within me cease, Enfold me, Lord, in your peace. Calm me, Lord, as you calmed the storm; Still me, Lord, keep me from harm. Let all the tumult within me cease, Lord, enfold me in your peace.

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Prayer after Communion Silence is kept. All: God of our pilgrimage,

you have fed us with the bread of heaven. Refresh and sustain us as we go forward on our journey, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Hymn

Amazing grace! how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch; like me! I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see ’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed! The Lord hath promised good to me, His word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion be As long as life endures. When we’ve been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise Than when we first begun.

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Blessing

God who loves our very depths. Jesus who saves us from our very worst. Spirit who moves us to become our true selves. Bless us now and through all the days of Lent and bring us to life in your love.

All: Amen. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. All: In the name of Christ. Amen.

Reflective Music

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Copyright Acknowledgements

Some material included in this service is copyright © 1989 National Church Council of the

churches of Christ, USA. Some material included in this service is copyright © The

Archbishops’ Council 2000. Some material included in this service is copyright © The

Archbishops’ Council 2002. Rubric before explanation © The Central Board of Finance of

the Church of England. Some material included in this service is copyright © The

Crown/Cambridge University Press: The Book of Common Prayer (1962) Apprentices and

Eyewitnesses creative liturgies for incarnational worship; Ash Wednesday to Ascension Day

by Chris Thorpe, Canterbury Press, London, 2019. Stages on the way, worship resources for

Lent, Holy week and Easter Wild Goose Worship 2002. The Summer Day by Mary Oliver

Dog Songs: Poems (Penguin Books, 2015).

Hymn words:

Empty Broken here I stand, Nick Haigh and Anita Haigh

How deep the father’s love for me by Stuart Townend Copyright © 1995 Thankyou Music

CCL Licence 39214

Bless the lord my soul Taize on piano and sung

Agnus Dei, Margaret Rizza

Take this moment sign and space – John Bell

Calm me, Lord, as you calmed the storm, Margaret Rizza

Amazing grace