SERVICE FOR ASH WEDNESDAY

February 17, 2010, 7 p.m., Overbrook Chapel

GATHER IN GOD’S NAME

IN SILENCE (Joel 2: 12-1a)

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

with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning

rend your hearts and not your clothing.

PRELUDE Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart F. Atkinson/F. Swann

A Lenten Prelude G. Pergolesi/J. Troutman

*CALL TO WORSHIP starting from Genesis 3/wrl

Created in God’s image but failing to trust the Creator, humankind is sentenced.

God says, “from dust you come and to dust you shall return.”

We remember God’s forgiving mercy in Jesus Christ, the carpenter from Nazareth.

The dust that became Jesus would bloom, in his obedience to God,

in teaching and calling, healing and saving—even in suffering and dying!

So we gather in hope:

  That in God’s mercy this dust will bloom again in our loving.

*HYMN # 2197 (The Faith We Sing) Lord of All Hopefulness

CALL TO CONFESSION

Yet even now, says the Holy One, return to me with all your heart,

with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;

rend your hearts and not your clothing.

Return to the Lord, your God,

who is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love,

and relents from punishing.

PRAYERS OF CONFESSION from Chalice Worship

In silence, concluding as led:

Mighty and Everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made

and forgive the sins of all who are penitent.

Create and make in us new and humble hearts, that

saddened at our sin and acknowledging our responsibility,

we may receive from you, the God of all mercy, perfect forgiveness and peace;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

STATEMENT OF OUR PURPOSE IN LENT

Friends in Christ, we begin a forty-day journey toward Easter.

We enter Lent to prepare ourselves to welcome the risen Christ with lives renewed.

We assume disciples—self-examination, confession, penitence.

We dedicate ourselves to meditate upon the scriptures and talk with God in prayer.

We seek to be more faithful disciples whose lives are shaped by the One

we confess to be Lord and Savior of the world. To this end we worship.

PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD

SCRIPTURE & REFLECTION 2 Corinthians 5: 20b-6:13

RESPOND TO THE WORD, AND SEAL THE WORD

THE SIGN OF ASHES

From ancient times Christians have on this day received ashes marked on their foreheads

as a sign of sin’s disfigurement of life and of the dust of their own mortality.

IMPOSITION OF ASHES on forehead or wrist

INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE

GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

BREAKING BREAD AND SHARING THE CUP

Come to servers, tear a piece of bread and dip it in the cup.

Or, remain in your place to be served in the same manner.

PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING TO GOD

GO IN GOD’S NAME

*HYMN # 2187 Now It Is Evening

CHARGE & BLESSING

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Leading Worship

Nancy Deeth, Organist

Bill Leety, Pastor

Michael Ludwig, Associate Pastor

Deacon Lori Dravillas, Communion Preparer

Jeff & Pat Soderholm, Ushers