Worship online  7:00 pm

Order of worship

Prelude
   "What Wondrous Love Is This" | Southern Harmony arr. Koerts & Keesecker

Welcome

Call to Worship
ONE: Friends and neighbors, in the middle of our busy week,
we pause to observe Ash Wednesday together as a faith community.
ALL: We come to remember that God made us from fragile, blessed dust and breathes through us the breath of life and love.

ONE: From dust we are created in God’s image
and to God’s good dust we shall return.
ALL: With dust and oil we claim the mark of God’s beloved creature.
   
ONE: Today we begin our 40-day Lenten walk
to discover who we are created to be as God’s beloved.
ALL: In practices of prayer and service
we will embark upon this Lenten walk together.

ONE: We follow Jesus, God’s Beloved Child,
bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh
In whom we see God’s image most clearly.
ALL: So we come, with prayers for strength and imagination,
to meet Jesus and spend time in his presence this Lent. Amen.

Hymn
   "O Worship the King"

Prayer

Confession & Assurance of Pardon
ONE: On this first day of Lent we pause, look within
and examine our consciousness.
ALL: Have mercy on us, O God, according to your steadfast love.

ONE: Where we have neglected prayer, been apathetic in worship, found reasons to avoid generosity, or lacked compassion:
ALL: Have mercy on us, O God, according to your steadfast love.

ONE: Where we have colluded in the oppression of those who become invisible in their suffering, and ignored on the streets:
ALL: Have mercy on us, O God, according to your steadfast love.

ONE: Where anxiety has eroded the gift of Your peace, and where we have cared too much about what others think:
ALL: Have mercy on us, O God, according to your steadfast love.

Words of Assurance
ONE: As Lent begins, know that God understands how we struggle to stay open and compassionate. The invitation is not to focus on our inadequacies, but on God’s gift of grace and love which transforms our hearts and minds. That gift is given to us again, here and now. Be encouraged.
ALL: Amen.

ONE: May the peace of God be with you
ALL: and also with you.
written by Ann Siddall, http://stillpoint.unitingchurchsa.org.au/

Hymn
   "What Wondrous Love Is This"

Scripture Reading
   Matthew 4:1-11 (NIV)

Message
   "Why Ashes? "| Reverend Jim Pollard

Imposition of Ashes

Contemplative Prayer

Blessing
   "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" | Rutter | Chancel Choir

Drive thru ashes

Come to church on Ash Wednesday from Noon-2 or 5-7 pm and receive your ashes directly (and safely) from your car. We’ll be masked up and ask you to also wear yours. Imposition of Ashes will be located in the parking lot from Noon-2. We’ll be under the portico from 5-7 pm. Come be part of this meaningful Lenten tradition.

Worship leadership

Pastor: Reverend Jim Pollard
​​Dir. of Worship Arts: W. Zachary Taylor
​Dir. of Family Ministry: Ashley Atkins
​AV Tech Director: Jace Andrus 
Organist/Accompanist: Nancy Ryskamp