Bethel Presbyterian Church
February 21, 2007
7:00 P.M.
SILENT GATHERING
INTROIT
PRAYER OF THE DAY
CALL TO WORSHIP
Let us worship God. God sent Christ into the world not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.
God’s love endures forever.
God is our refuge and strength, a present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though the waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
God’s love endures forever.
*HYMN #78 Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed Martyrdom
*A LITANY OF CONFESSION
Almighty God: You alone are good and holy. Purify our lives and make us brave disciples. We do not ask you to keep us safe, but to keep us loyal, so we may serve Jesus Christ, who, tempted in every way as we are, was faithful to you. From lack of reverence for truth and beauty; from a calculating or sentimental mind; from going along with mean and ugly things;
O God, deliver us.
From cowardice that dares not face truth; laziness content with half-truth; or arrogance that thinks we know it all;
O God, deliver us.
From artificial life and worship; from all that is hollow or insincere;
O God, deliver us.
From trite ideals and cheap pleasures; from mistaking hard vulgarity for humor;
O God, deliver us.
From being dull, pompous, or rude; from putting down our neighbors;
O God, deliver us.
From cynicism about others; from intolerance or cruel indifference;
(Silent and personal confession)
*PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
ANTHEM
OLD TESTAMENT READING Job 42:1-6
NEW TESTAMENT READING Matthew 6:5-6, 16-21
MEDITATION What Will You Give Up? Deb Hyder, Parish Nurse
*HYMN #80 Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley Lonesome Valley
UNISON PRAYER
God of compassion, through your Son Jesus Christ you reconciled your people to yourself. Following his example of prayer and fasting, may we obey you with willing hearts and serve one another in holy love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
IMPOSITION OF ASHES
*HYMN #85 What Wondrous Love is This?
*BLESSING AND CHARGE
May the God of peace make you holy in every way and keep your whole being - spirit, soul, and body - free from every fault at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Alleluia! Amen.
(All quietly depart.)
*All who are able may stand.
Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent, the transition from death to life,
and from darkness and despair of the day of the Lord,
to the light and hope of the Day of Salvation at Easter.
Tonight, we confront our own frailties and imperfections
as we examine ourselves in the light of God’s Love.
Even when we are on the verge of self-destruction,
even then, God reaches out to each one of us – with both hands,
calling us to return and to be reconciled.
We meet the Lord in that secret place deep within each one of us –
our ashen, gray-blackhearts - and in this encounter,
our spirits become whiter than snow.
We forgive and we are forgiven,
and begin to understand the extent of God’s relentless love!
Let us worship God!
