ASH WEDNESDAY 2021

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Since we're unable to be together in worship for Ash Wednesday, here is a prayer to get us thinking about the meaning of the day, the meaning of Lent, and most importantly--where we are in our journey of faith right now.  Last year our congregation joined with other United Methodist churches in our area for a wonderful, interactive, intergenerational Ash Wednesday worship time.  Today the sanctuary sits empty and cold.  Perhaps after a year of pandemic life there are places inside us that also feel empty and cold.  As we begin the season of Lent, let's reflect on those places, then open ourselves to the power and possibility of God.  During these 40 days of Lent, may we all be honest with ourselves about the state of our souls.  Only then can we allow God to bless us and bring us through.

Prayer for Ash Wednesday

Purifying Mystery, your light exposes in us all that we hide. 
Awaken us and all your Holy Church to spiritual combat.
Lead us to purity of soul and body in these forty days.
Fortify us to take an honest look at ourselves and to name our secret sins and our ruts of disobedience.
Let abstinence from our addictions free us for prayer and the fire of love.
Perfect us by steady gaze toward your pure mercy and grace
so that we may come to the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus
in pure joy.
In confidence we commend ourselves and all our passions and cares to your never-failing mercy.

 We pray for the world and the church: Especially for those we have hurt by our preoccupations …

For those who live sacrificially so that others may know your justice and compassion …

For a just peace in and among nations …

For pastors and guides who help others stand in the light …

For the church in every place …

For the concerns and cares of our lives …

 The Lord’s Prayer

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 and 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.  Amen.

Receiving the Ashes

“We were created from dust and we will return to dust.  We place our trust in God.”

Go in peace to love and serve God in everything you do.  Amen.

Peace and all good,

Pastor Jean
 

Comments

  1. UnknownFebruary 17, 2021 at 4:26 PM

    Thanks, Jean. I just didn't have the oomph to get to one of the services today, so you sent one to me.

    ReplyDelete

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