Ash Wednesday
Worship
Lectionary Worship Aids
Series VI, Cycle A
Object:
Words Of Assurance
Give thanks to God who reconciles us to himself in Christ, who closes the gap we could never bridge, and who gives to us the ministry of reconciliation.
Pastoral Prayer
O God, our Father, who sent your only Son to bring your saving life to a sin-filled world, open the eyes of our souls to behold your immeasurable love. We have no merit to plead our need. In his sacrifice you are forever offering redemption to your children. Guide our minds to learn of your Christ, and incline our hearts to believe in him.
We confess that among the bountiful material blessings we have often wasted and lost the gifts of the Spirit. When your hands opened to provide food for the soul, we turned to forbidden fruit that left us hungry and ill in spirit. We have been busy about many things and have neglected the one thing needful for the salvation of our souls. We come empty, weak, and disillusioned to you, our God, to hear the eternal story of the cross, forever new with its power to transform and bless.
O Christ, forbid that we should pass unheeding before the cross, standing amidst each life and event of our day. With contrite hearts we come to you in the assurance that if our sins be as scarlet, you can make them white as snow. Teach us then to examine our hearts, and lead us to surrender all things deceitful and unbrotherly or unsisterly. Take from us all contempt, envy, and covetousness. May we not grieve but love your Holy Spirit.
We ask it all in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, and our Savior. Amen.
Benediction
The salvation of God has been offered to you this day. By the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, receive now the wholeness that comes only from God, and walk in the light of his fellowship. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Give thanks to God who reconciles us to himself in Christ, who closes the gap we could never bridge, and who gives to us the ministry of reconciliation.
Pastoral Prayer
O God, our Father, who sent your only Son to bring your saving life to a sin-filled world, open the eyes of our souls to behold your immeasurable love. We have no merit to plead our need. In his sacrifice you are forever offering redemption to your children. Guide our minds to learn of your Christ, and incline our hearts to believe in him.
We confess that among the bountiful material blessings we have often wasted and lost the gifts of the Spirit. When your hands opened to provide food for the soul, we turned to forbidden fruit that left us hungry and ill in spirit. We have been busy about many things and have neglected the one thing needful for the salvation of our souls. We come empty, weak, and disillusioned to you, our God, to hear the eternal story of the cross, forever new with its power to transform and bless.
O Christ, forbid that we should pass unheeding before the cross, standing amidst each life and event of our day. With contrite hearts we come to you in the assurance that if our sins be as scarlet, you can make them white as snow. Teach us then to examine our hearts, and lead us to surrender all things deceitful and unbrotherly or unsisterly. Take from us all contempt, envy, and covetousness. May we not grieve but love your Holy Spirit.
We ask it all in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, and our Savior. Amen.
Benediction
The salvation of God has been offered to you this day. By the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, receive now the wholeness that comes only from God, and walk in the light of his fellowship. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
