Ash Wednesday
February 13, 2013
Knoxville First United Methodist Church/
Columbia United Methodist Church
Lane Riggle, Pastor &
Brent Hanna, Pastor
(An * indicates that all who are able may stand.)
ASH WEDNESDAY
And Season of Lent
A Comment on the Service
In the later part of the 20th Century, the 40-day season (excluding Sundays) of Lent has reemerged as a deeply meaningful experience for United Methodists. For too long, Protestants have dismissed Lent as something only Roman Catholics did. We’re now aware that all Christians should engage in the dual themes the season provides: facing our mortality and our need for repentance. Lent offers an annual opportunity for renewal, for remembering that we are human and not God, and for admitting that the major problems in the world stem from our broken nature.
The worship service is designed for quiet reflection upon our sins and our vulnerability. And it offers a solution: that we must admit our absolute dependence upon the redeeming love of God. The service challenges us to practice spiritual discipline during the Lenten Season, as an aid in our preparation for Easter.
We use ashes as a sign of our mortality and penance. This may be new to some United Methodists, but the use of ashes has an important role in Christian and Jewish worship. Ashes on the forehead are a powerful and non-verbal way of getting our attention that we need to repent and reconcile with God.
The ashes are made from burnt palm branches used on Palm Sunday. The burning symbolizes the movement of Holy Week where Jesus is greeted as a hero on Sunday, and by the following Friday all but God have turned against him as he dies upon the cross. In suffering, Jesus shares our humanity.
The communion that closes the service is a symbol of the victory that follows suffering. This is our meal of hope, of the love offered by God in Christ. Through the common meal and simple liturgy, we are reconciled people brought once again to God.
The service is a time for reflection. As evening is a good time to think about your day Lent is a good time to reflect upon your past year since the previous Ash Wednesday, and to think how you might improve.
The worship service is designed for quiet reflection upon our sins and our vulnerability. And it offers a solution: that we must admit our absolute dependence upon the redeeming love of God. The service challenges us to practice spiritual discipline during the Lenten Season, as an aid in our preparation for Easter.
We use ashes as a sign of our mortality and penance. This may be new to some United Methodists, but the use of ashes has an important role in Christian and Jewish worship. Ashes on the forehead are a powerful and non-verbal way of getting our attention that we need to repent and reconcile with God.
The ashes are made from burnt palm branches used on Palm Sunday. The burning symbolizes the movement of Holy Week where Jesus is greeted as a hero on Sunday, and by the following Friday all but God have turned against him as he dies upon the cross. In suffering, Jesus shares our humanity.
The communion that closes the service is a symbol of the victory that follows suffering. This is our meal of hope, of the love offered by God in Christ. Through the common meal and simple liturgy, we are reconciled people brought once again to God.
The service is a time for reflection. As evening is a good time to think about your day Lent is a good time to reflect upon your past year since the previous Ash Wednesday, and to think how you might improve.
PRELUDE
GREETING
* LITANY
Leader The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you
People: And also with you. Leader: Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins.
People: God’s mercy endures forever.
Leader The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you
People: And also with you. Leader: Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins.
People: God’s mercy endures forever.
*HYMN “It’s Me, It’s Me, O Lord” #352
OPENING PRAYER (In Unison)
O God, maker of everything and judge of all that you have made, from the dust of the earth you have formed us and from the dust of death you would raise us up. By the redemptive power of the cross, create in us clean hearts and put within us a new spirit, that we may repent of our sins and lead lives worthy of your calling; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, maker of everything and judge of all that you have made, from the dust of the earth you have formed us and from the dust of death you would raise us up. By the redemptive power of the cross, create in us clean hearts and put within us a new spirit, that we may repent of our sins and lead lives worthy of your calling; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SCRIPTURE LESSON Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
HOMILY
HYMN “Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days” # 269
INVITATION TO THE OBSERVANCE OF LENTEN DISCIPLINE
THANKSGIVING OVER THE ASHES
Almighty God, you have created us Out of the dust of the earth. Grant that these ashes may be to us a sign of our mortality and penitence, so that we may remember that only by your gracious gift are we given everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Almighty God, you have created us Out of the dust of the earth. Grant that these ashes may be to us a sign of our mortality and penitence, so that we may remember that only by your gracious gift are we given everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
IMPOSITION OF ASHES
(The congregation is invited to come forward to receive imposition of ashes as the organist plays a meditational piece)
(The congregation is invited to come forward to receive imposition of ashes as the organist plays a meditational piece)
PSALTER (Response 1) Psalm 51:1-17 # 785
SERVICE OF WORD AND TABLE II p # 12
INVITATION
INVITATION
CONFESSION AND PARDON
THE PEACE
OFFERING
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING p. # 15
LORDS PRAYER
THE PEACE
OFFERING
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING p. # 15
LORDS 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, 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. Amen.
THE GIVING
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION (In Unison)
Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us. Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit, to give ourselves for others, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us. Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit, to give ourselves for others, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN “Lord, I Want to Be a Christian” #402
*SENDING
Lenten Activities at Knoxville First Church
· Wednesday Evening (Feb. 20-March 20) devotional suppers 5:45-6:30 and devotional service 6:30-7:00 WFH
· Services: Saturday 5:30 pm Chapel; Sun. 8:30am & 10:45am
Sunday School: 9:35am
Sunday School: 9:35am
· March 23/24, Palm Sat./Sunday, Regular worship times
· March 28, 7:00pm Maundy Thursday service
· March 29, 7:00pm Good Friday service
· March 31, Easter Sunday, Regular worship times
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