Wednesday, February 18, 2015 ASH WEDNESDAY

7/21/2019 Wednesday, February 18, 2015 ASH WEDNESDAY

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Ash Wednesday Wednesday, February 18, 2015



2 A SH W EDNESDAY

HOLY COMMUNION A SH W EDNESDAY

Imposition of Ashes Wednesday, February 18, 2015 + 7:00pm

RETURN TO THE LORD YOUR GOD Lent begins with a solemn call to fasting and repentance as we begin our journey to the baptismal

waters of Easter. As we hear in today's readings, now is the acceptable time to return to the Lord.During Lent the people of God will reflect on the meaning of their baptism into Christ's death andresurrection. The sign of ashes suggests our human mortality and frailty. What seems like an ending

is really an invitation to make each day a new beginning, in which we are washed in God's mercy and forgiveness. With the cross on our brow, we long for the spiritual renewal that f lows from thespringtime Easter feast to come.

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ENTRANCE R ITE The assembly gathers in silence

The PSALMODY Psalm 51 After organ introduction, the choir or cantor will sing the refrain once, then repeated by all. Theassembly sings the refrain.

1Have mercy on me, O God, according to your | steadfast love;in your great compassion blot out | my offenses.

2 Wash me through and through | from my wickedness,and cleanse me | from my sin.

3For I know | my offenses,and my sin is ev- | er before me.

4 Against you only have I sinned and done what is evil | in your sight;so you are justified when you speak and right | in your judgment. Refrain

5Indeed, I was born | steeped in wickedness,



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a sinner from my | mother's womb.6Indeed, you delight in truth | deep within me,

and would have me know wisdom | deep within.7

Remove my sins with hyssop, and I

|

shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be pur- | er than snow.8Let me hear | joy and gladness;

that the body you have broken | may rejoice. Refrain 9Hide your face | from my sins,

and blot out | all my wickedness.10Create in me a clean | heart, O God,

and renew a right spir- | it within me.11Cast me not away | from your presence,and take not your Holy Spir- | it from me.

12Restore to me the joy of | your salvationand sustain me with your boun- | tiful Spirit. Refrain

13Let me teach your ways | to offenders,and sinners shall be re- | stored to you.

14Rescue me from bloodshed, O God of | my salvation,and my tongue shall sing | of your righteousness.

15O Lord, o- | pen my lips,and my mouth shall pro- | claim your praise.

16For you take no delight in sacrifice, or | I would give it. You are not pleased | with burnt offering.

17

The sacrifice of God is a|

troubled spirit;a troubled and broken heart, O God, you will | not despise. Refrain

The EXHORTATIONBrothers and sisters: God created us to experience joy in communion withhim, to love all humanity, and to live in harmony with all of his creation.But sin separates us from God, our neighbors, and creation, and so we do

not enjoy the life our Creator intended for us. Also, by our sin we grieveour Father, who does not desire us to come under his judgment, but toturn to him and live.

As disciples of the Lord Jesus we are called to struggle against everythingthat leads us away from love of God and neighbor. Repentance, fasting,

prayer, and works of love—the discipline of Lent—help us to wage ourspiritual warfare. I invite you, therefore, to commit yourselves to thisstruggle and confess your sins, asking our Father for strength to perseverein your Lenten discipline.



4 A SH W EDNESDAY

The assembly kneels or sits. Silence for reflection and self-examination.

The CONFESSION

Most holy and merciful Father: We confess to you and to one another, and to the whole communionof saints in heaven and on earth, that we have sinned by our fault, 1 by our own fault, by our own most grievous fault, in thought, word,and deed; by what we have done, and by what we have left undone.

We have not loved you with our whole heart, and mind, and strength. Wehave not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not forgiven others, as we have been forgiven.Have mercy on us, Lord.

We have been deaf to your call to serve as Christ served us. We have notbeen true to the mind of Christ. We have grieved your Holy Spirit.

Have mercy on us, Lord.

We confess to you, Lord, all our past unfaithfulness. The pride, hypocrisy,and impatience in our lives,

we confess to you, Lord.

Our self-indulgent appetites and ways, and our exploitation of otherpeople,


Our anger at our own frustration, and our envy of those more fortunatethan ourselves,


Our intemperate love of worldly goods and comforts, and our dishonesty indaily life and work,


Our negligence in prayer and worship, and our failure to commend thefaith that is in us,


1 The assembly may strike the breast once at each phrase “by our fault, by our own fault, by our own most grievous fault.”This gesture is rooted in Luke 18:13 as well as our Lutheran Confessions (Augsburg Confession XX:8, 15; XXIV:1, 40)



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Accept our repentance, Lord, for the wrongs we have done. For ourblindness to human need and suffering, and our indifference to injustice

and cruelty,accept our repentance, Lord.

For all false judgments, for uncharitable thoughts toward our neighbors,and for our prejudice and contempt toward those who differ from us,accept our repentance, Lord.

For our waste and pollution of your creation, and our lack of concern forthose who come after us,accept our repentance, Lord.

Restore us, good Lord, and let your anger depart from us.Hear us, Lord, for your mercy is great. Amen

The assembly is seated.

The IMPOSITION OF ASHES

Almighty God, you have created us out of the dust of the earth. Bless theseashes and those who receive them. May this sign of our mortality andpenitence remind us that only by the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ are wegiven eternal life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen

Those who desire to receive ashes come forward through the center aisle. Ashes are applied to the forehead of each person with the words:

Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

After all who desire ashes have received them, the assembly kneels or remains seated.

The presiding minister leads the assembly in the conclusion of the confession.

Accomplish in us, O God, the work of your salvation,that we may show forth your glory in the world.

By the cross and Passion of your Son, our Lord,bring us with all your saints to the joy of his resurrection.

The presiding minister addresses the assembly.



6 A SH W EDNESDAY

Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, does not desire thedeath of sinners, but rather that they may turn from their wickedness andlive. Therefore we implore him to grant us true repentance and his HolySpirit, that those things may please him which we do on this day, that therest of our life may be pure and holy, and that at the last we may come tohis eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

After a period of silence, the assembly stands for the Prayer of the Day.

Let us pray…the prayer concludes…one God, now and forever

Amen.The assembly is seated.

LITURGY OF THE W ORD The FIRST READING Joel 2:1-2, 12-17Because of the coming Day of the Lord, the prophet Joel calls the people to a community lament. Therepentant community reminds God of his gracious character and asks God to spare the people, lest

the nations doubt God’s power to save. Blow the trumpet in Zion;

sound the alarm on my holy mountain!Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble,for the day of the LORD is coming, it is near —

2a day of darkness and gloom,a day of clouds and thick darkness!Like blackness spread upon the mountains

a great and powerful army comes;their like has never been from of old,nor will be again after themin ages to come.

12 Yet even now, says the LORD,return to me with all your heart,

with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;13

rend your hearts and not your clothing.Return to the LORD, your God,for he is gracious and merciful,slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,and relents from punishing.

14 Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,and leave a blessing behind him,

a grain offering and a drink offeringfor the LORD, your God?15Blow the trumpet in Zion;

sanctify a fast;



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call a solemn assembly;16gather the people.

Sanctify the congregation;assemble the aged;

gather the children,even infants at the breast.Let the bridegroom leave his room,and the bride her canopy.

17Between the vestibule and the altarlet the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep.Let them say, "Spare your people, O LORD,

and do not make your heritage a mockery,a byword among the nations.

Why should it be said among the peoples,'Where is their God?'

The reading concludes:The Word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.

The SECOND READING 2 Corinthians 5:20b—6:10The ministry of the Gospel endures many challenges and hardships. Through this ministry, God’sreconciling activity in the death of Christ reaches into the depths of our lives to bring us into a right

relationship with God. In this way, God accepts us into the reality of divine salvation. Chapter 5 20b We entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21For our sake he

made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become therighteousness of God.

Chapter 6 As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of Godin vain. 2For he says,

"At an acceptable time I have listened to you,

and on a day of salvation I have helped you."See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! 3 We areputting no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with ourministry, 4but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way:through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5beatings,imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6by purity, knowledge,patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, 7truthful speech, and the

power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and forthe left; 8in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treatedas impostors, and yet are true; 9as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying,



8 A SH W EDNESDAY

and see — we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; 10as sorrowful, yetalways rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yetpossessing everything.

The reading concludes:

The Word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.

The assembly stands to welcome the Gospel.

The GOSPEL ACCLAMATIONLet your steadfast love come to us, O Lord.Save us as you promised; we will trust your word.

The HOLY GOSPEL Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus commends almsgiving, prayer, and fasting, but emphasizes thatspiritual devotion must not be done for show.

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

The Holy +2

Gospel according to Matthew.Glory to you, O Lord.

"Beware of practicing 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 thehypocrites 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, 4so that your almsmay 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 tostand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may beseen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 6But whenever

you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is insecret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

16"And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for theydisfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, theyhave received their reward. 17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash

your face, 18so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father whois 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 rustconsume and where thieves break in and steal; 20but store up for yourselves

treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do

2 Using the thumb, the people may make three small signs of the cross, one on the forehead, one on the lips, and one on the breast whilesilently using the traditional prayer, “May the Good News of Jesus Christ be in my mind, and on my lips, and in my heart. Amen”



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not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The reading concludes:

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.


The SERMONSilence for reflection.



10 A SH W EDNESDAY

The assembly stands to proclaim the Word of God in song.

The HYMN OF THE DAY Eternal Lord of Love, Behold Your Church

The assembly kneels or sits in prayer during Lent.

The PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLEThe prophet Joel calls the people of faith to return with weeping, fasting, andchastened heart, for God is gracious and merciful. At the opening of this Lentenseason let us pray for a sinful world, a sinful church, and for ourselves.

After each petitionLord, in your mercy,hear our prayer.



A SH W EDNESDAY 11

The prayers concludeO God, it is our burden and our glory to know our sin and to be repentant of it.But you are greater than our hearts and know all things. Your prevailing lovefor us, while we were yet sinners, has been declared in Jesus. When the terms

of life seem too much to be borne, hold not our sins up against us, but hold usup against our sins. We pray through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARISTIC MEAL The PEACE

The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you.

The worship leaders and the assembly greet each other in the peace of Christ.


The OFFERINGThe assembly stands as the gifts are brought forward .The OFFERTORY Create in Me a Clean Heart



12 A SH W EDNESDAY

The GREAT THANKGIVING The Lord be with you.

And also with you. Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.It is right to give him thanks and praise.

The EUCHARISTIC PRAYER (XI) We give you thanks, Father,

through Jesus Christ, your beloved Son, whom you sent in this end of the agesto save and redeem us and to proclaim to us your will.…the prayer continues…

Through him all glory and honor is yours, Almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit,

in your holy Church,both now and forever.

Amen

The LORD’S PRAYER (1789)Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray:

Our Father, who art in heaven,hallowed be thy name,thy kingdom come,thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread;and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us;and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.For thine is the kingdom,

and the power, and the glory,forever and ever. Amen.

The BREAKING OF THE BREADThis is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Happy are we whoare called to his supper.



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Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the Word and I shall behealed.

The assembly is seated

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;have mercy on us.Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;grant us peace.

The DISTRIBUTION OF THE HOLY SACRAMENT

After all have returned to their places, the assembly stands.

The POST-COMMUNION BLESSINGThe Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in hisgrace.

Amen.

The POST-COMMUNION PRAYER

Let us pray… Almighty God, you gave your Son both as a sacrifice for sinand a model of the godly life.Enable us to receive him always with thanksgiving,

and to conform our lives to his;through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

LITURGY OF SENDING The BLESSING

Almighty God, Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. Amen.



14 A SH W EDNESDAY

The SENDING HYMN On My Heart Imprint Your Image

The DISMISSALGo in peace. Remember the poor.Thanks be to God.

There is no sending music. The assembly departs in silence.Acknowledgements Unless indicated all hymns and liturgical music from Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright © 2015 by Augsburg Fortress. All rights

reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #42251. Scripture texts from the New Revised

Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in

the USA . Used by permission. All rights reserved.

WORSHIP LEADERS FOR ASH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18

Assisting Minister Pam SwallenLector Vickie RamsierCommunion Assistant: Kris WilliamsUshers Larry Pottorf, Robert Yeagley, BradHooser, Dave Porter, Rosemary McLaughlin, Jim McLaughlin,

Altar Guild Jeanne Hunston, Monica Kinsey, Vickie Ramsier & Lisa Ray



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WORSHIP LEADERS FOR SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22 Assisting Minister Kris Williams

Lector Ray McElroyCommunion Assistants: Monica Kinsey & Kathy Kull

Acolyte: Lindsey MurphyUshers Larry Pottorf, Robert Yeagley, Brad Hooser, Dave Porter,

Rosemary McLaughlin, Jim McLaughlin, Roger Brotherton Altar Guild Jeanne Hunston, Monica Kinsey, Vickie Ramsier & Lisa Ray

Wednesdays during Lent

4:45-5:45pm Individual Confession & Absolution Available

6:00pm Simple Soup Meal

7:00pm Evening Prayer (except March 25 which will be a Festival Holy Eucharist)



16 A SH W EDNESDAY

Come and see. Follow me.

The gift of God, J esus Christ, has set us free

ST. P AUL LUTHERAN CHURCH 515 E. Line Street • Minerva, Ohio 44657

Office – (330) 868-4918 www.facebook.com/stpaulminerva

Pastor: The Rev. Steven Woyen, STS • Office Secretary: Becky DavisCustodian: Damin Clapper • Director of Music: Paula PattersonMissionaries to the Republic of South Africa: The Rev. Tessa Moon Leiseth & Jon Leiseth

http://www.facebook.com/stpaulminerva



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Wednesday, February 18, 2015 ASH WEDNESDAY