CALL TO WORSHIP from Psalm 103:1-4
Let our souls bless the Lord and bless his holy Name with our whole beings.
We will bless the Lord and remember all his benefits, for he forgives and heals us, and crowns our lives with his steadfast love.
OPENING PRAYER
Gracious God, out of your love and mercy you breathed into us the breath of life, that we may be your people in the world. During this Lenten season, may your eternal love call forth our prayers and acts of kindness. Now strengthen us to face our mortality and our need for your mercy in Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose Name we pray. Amen.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION from Psalm 51
Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love.
Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.
Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin, for I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night.
Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight.
Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Oh, give me back my joy again. Remove the stain of my guilt.
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.
Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.
Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you.
Unseal my lips, O Lord, that my mouth may praise you.
You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering.
The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.
You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.
Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love.
Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.
Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin, for I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night.
Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight.
Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Oh, give me back my joy again. Remove the stain of my guilt.
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.
Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.
Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you.
Unseal my lips, O Lord, that my mouth may praise you.
You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering.
The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.
You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.
BLESSING OF ASHES
God of life, may these ashes be to us a reminder of our mortality. As we receive them, may we be reminded of our need for your Spirit. Help us to rise from the dust and serve you in the Name of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
PRAYER OF HUMBLE ACCESS
Most merciful Lord, your love compels us to come in. Our hands were unclean, our hearts were unprepared; we were not fit even to eat the crumbs from under your table. But you, Lord, are the God of our salvation, and share your bread with sinners. So cleanse and feed us with the precious body and blood of your Son, that he may live in us and we in him; and that we, with the whole company of Christ, may sit and eat in your kingdom. Amen.COMMUNION PRAYER
Tonight, O God, we remember. We remember our sins and we remember our mortality. And to our memories, you add your forgiveness and the promise of eternal life in Jesus Christ.
Tonight, O God, we remember his love for us, and the sacrifice he made for us on the cross. And as we offer up these gifts, we pray that you will send your Holy Spirit to settle on the bread and wine, that they may be for us the bread of heaven and the cup of salvation.
Tonight, O God, we remember one another, and pray that that same Holy Spirit will unite us into one body, strengthened by Christ's presence to serve you in the church and in the world. We ask this in his Name. Amen.
BENEDICTION
Though the night is dark, the Light of the world goes before you. In the days to come, may God guide your steps and surround your life. Go forth in the Name of God + Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit.
—Ministry Matters (alt.)
