Ash Wednesday Reflection - 2017

A blessed Ash Wednesday to each of you.

While I was in Tokyo with the Blaine Wind Ensemble, we visited the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (as I mentioned in my last post). One of the interesting exhibits was on global issues facing future generations (including ours?). The exhibit focused upon the choices we have and how they effect the future. What I thought was interesting was the time spent distinguishing between "forecasting" and "backcasting". "Forecasting" gets the most press in the United States. To forecast, we extrapolate current conditions adding/multiplying (depending upon the case) a rate of change allowing us to predict (often quite accurately) what will happen. Backcasting moves in the other direction. What kind of future do we want? What type of future is beneficial? Backcasting then asks, "how do we get there?" Backcasting is goal oriented.

What does this have to do with Lent? Rather than just giving something up for Lent, why not practice backcasting?

These are but an example of the type of questions backcasting asks. What would it mean if our investments aligned with our values/kin(g)dom of God? What does a healthy mind, body and spirit look like, and what steps to I need to put into place to get there? If I truly want to lower my carbon footprint, can I continue to sail in this really light wind (challenging myself in the process)? Do I need to drive, couldn't I walk or bike instead?

So rather than give something up for Lent, I'm going to try using backcasting as a spiritual discipline. Who knows, maybe by the time we reach Easter the process will become a spiritual habit.

Blessed Be,

Joel

Below is my Ash Wednesday Service for those of you apart from a church community this Ash Wednesday.

GREETING:
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins.
God’s mercy endures forever.

OPENING PRAYER   (from the United Methodist Hymnal #353)
O God,
maker of every thing 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:
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Psalm 51 (#785 in the UMC Hymnal)
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

INVITATION TO THE OBSERVANCE OF LENTEN DISCIPLINE
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:
the early Christians observed with great devotion
the day of our Lord's passion and resurrection,
and it became the custom of the Church that before the Easter celebration
there should be a forty-day season of spiritual preparation.
During this season converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism.
It was also a time when persons who had committed serious sins
and had separated themselves from the community of faith
  were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness,
and restored to participation in the life of the Church.
In this way the whole congregation was reminded
of the mercy and forgiveness proclaimed in the gospel of Jesus Christ
  and the need we all have to renew our faith.
I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church,
to observe a holy Lent:
by self-examination and repentance;
by prayer, fasting, and self-denial;
and by reading and meditation on God's Holy  Word.
To make a right beginning of repentance,
and as a mark of our mortal nature,
let us now kneel (or bow) before our Creator and Redeemer.

(a brief silence is kept)

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.

IMPOSITIONS OF THE ASHES
(as people come forward, a leader dips a thumb in the ashes and makes
a cross on the forehead of each person saying:
  Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

DISMISSAL WITH A BLESSING

Ash Wednesday, 2016

Happy Ash Wednesday, to you, Dear Reader.

I'm finding that today I'm recovering from a case of the flu. As it suddenly came on Friday night, it just as suddenly left Tuesday morning. At the moment, I'm feeling about 90%.  I haven't had a full-blown case of the flu in years. Nothing like the aches and pains and delusions of a high fever to remind one's self of one's own mortality. Actually, I found that I did manage to keep sense of humor (maybe it was just dark irony) during the process. I find I'm too liturgically minded to miss what today is, and when Lent starts.

So, as Lent starts this year, I find myself pondering mortality, sure, but also the exuberance of health. I'm mindful of what a precious gift health is, and how much it takes all of us to have healthy relationships with those around us: our civilization, our natural world, our friends and acquaintances, and our families.

During this season of Lent, may we all celebrate and strive towards more health, all the while delighting in finding the Divine in our midst.

Blessed Be,

Joel

Below is my Ash Wednesday Service for those of you apart from a church community this Ash Wednesday.

GREETING:
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins.
God’s mercy endures forever.

OPENING PRAYER   (from the United Methodist Hymnal #353)

O God,

maker of every thing 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:
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Psalm 51 (#785 in the UMC Hymnal)
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

INVITATION TO THE OBSERVANCE OF LENTEN DISCIPLINE
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

the early Christians observed with great devotion 

the day of our Lord's passion and resurrection, 

and it became the custom of the Church that before the Easter celebration 

there should be a forty-day season of spiritual preparation.

During this season converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism.

It was also a time when persons who had committed serious sins 

and had separated themselves from the community of faith 

were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, 

and restored to participation in the life of the Church.

In this way the whole congregation was reminded 

of the mercy and forgiveness proclaimed in the gospel of Jesus Christ 

and the need we all have to renew our faith.

I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, 

to observe a holy Lent: 

by self-examination and repentance; 

by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; 

and by reading and meditation on God's Holy  Word.

To make a right beginning of repentance, 

and as a mark of our mortal nature, 

let us now kneel (or bow) before our Creator and Redeemer.

(a brief silence is kept)

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.

IMPOSITIONS OF THE ASHES
(as people come forward, a leader dips a thumb in the ashes and makes 

a cross on the forehead of each person saying:
Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

DISMISSAL WITH A BLESSING

Ash Wednesday 2015

The Way of the Prophet by Mike Van, concept by Vivienne Close 

 I found this image in my daily meditation email from Richard Rohr, in which he speaks about prophets and the prophetic tradition. I find it extremely fitting for this season of Lent, especially Ash Wednesday when we come face to face with our own mortality. Sin is not some thing that many of us are comfortable talking about. Well, ok, let's be honest. I should qualify that as Our Own Sin, other people's may be fair game, especially if it is juicy gossip, right? It should not be, but ...

I think that is why prophet's make us (me, at any rate) uncomfortable. They continue to point out where I am operating in such ways that are unjust and/or harmful to others. They continue to show me my "blind spots," as it were. While interrupting the status quo, prophets do offer us a gift. I think they offer us the gift of growth and encourage us to act in such ways that take love of God and love of neighbor into account - pushing us to see our neighbors as ourselves and pushing us to broaden the circle of who our neighbors are.

Lent is often a time of giving things up: chocolate, beer, fat ... (we won't mention coffee). It is often portrayed as a time of sacrifice. I would challenge you to think in different terms this Lent. Just as fasting invites us to spend time in prayer, so, too, it calls us forth to remember those who go without enough to eat. May our Lentan Disciplines be activities/sacrifices that call us forth to better relations with God, others, the earth.

Blessed Be,

Joel

Below is my Ash Wednesday Service for those of you apart from a church community this Ash Wednesday.

GREETING:
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins.
God’s mercy endures forever.

OPENING PRAYER   (from the United Methodist Hymnal #353)

O God,

maker of every thing 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:
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Psalm 51 (#785 in the UMC Hymnal)
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

INVITATION TO THE OBSERVANCE OF LENTEN DISCIPLINE
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

the early Christians observed with great devotion 

the day of our Lord's passion and resurrection, 

and it became the custom of the Church that before the Easter celebration 

there should be a forty-day season of spiritual preparation.

During this season converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism.

It was also a time when persons who had committed serious sins 

and had separated themselves from the community of faith 

were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, 

and restored to participation in the life of the Church.

In this way the whole congregation was reminded 

of the mercy and forgiveness proclaimed in the gospel of Jesus Christ 

and the need we all have to renew our faith.

I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, 

to observe a holy Lent: 

by self-examination and repentance; 

by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; 

and by reading and meditation on God's Holy  Word.

To make a right beginning of repentance, 

and as a mark of our mortal nature, 

let us now kneel (or bow) before our Creator and Redeemer.

(a brief silence is kept)

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.

IMPOSITIONS OF THE ASHES
(as people come forward, a leader dips a thumb in the ashes and makes 

a cross on the forehead of each person saying:
Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

DISMISSAL WITH A BLESSING

Ash Wednesday Service - 2014

The following is an Ash Wednesday Service that I often use. This comes right out of the United Methodist Book of Worship and the United Methodist Hymnal. 

May you have a good and humble Ash Wednesday where ever you are.

Blessed Be

Joel

GREETING:
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins.
God’s mercy endures forever.

OPENING PRAYER   (from the United Methodist Hymnal #353)

O God,

maker of every thing 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:
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Psalm 51 #785
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

INVITATION TO THE OBSERVANCE OF LENTEN DISCIPLINE
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

the early Christians observed with great devotion 

the day of our Lord's passion and resurrection, 

and it became the custom of the Church that before the Easter celebration 

there should be a forty-day season of spiritual preparation.

During this season converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism.

It was also a time when persons who had committed serious sins 

and had separated themselves from the community of faith 

were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, 

and restored to participation in the life of the Church.

In this way the whole congregation was reminded 

of the mercy and forgiveness proclaimed in the gospel of Jesus Christ 

and the need we all have to renew our faith.

I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, 

to observe a holy Lent: 

by self-examination and repentance; 

by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; 

and by reading and meditation on God's Holy  Word.

To make a right beginning of repentance, 

and as a mark of our mortal nature, 

let us now kneel (or bow) before our Creator and Redeemer.

(a brief silence is kept)

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.

IMPOSITIONS OF THE ASHES
(as people come forward, a leader dips a thumb in the ashes and makes 

a cross on the forehead of each person saying:
Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

DISMISSAL WITH A BLESSING

Soup on Wednesday: Food for Thought - Ash Wednesday

It has long been a Lentan Discipline to give something up for Lent. I know some people who give up chocolate – boy was that hard when Valentine’s Day fell during Lent one year! This has roots in being penitent, and trying to make amends for past actions. So, one might give up those things that are having a bad impact upon ourselves or others. Often, this just means going back to doing the things once more after Easter (i.e. eating chocolate again).

But what if we took a slightly different approach? What if we focused instead upon how we wanted to relate to ourselves and others – and worked at forming practices that help make that a reality? For instance, we might ask ourselves these questions (or others like them):

• What does it mean to live a just and compassionate life?
• What dreams/desires do I have that keep reoccurring like an ocean swell? In what ways are they a “calling” from God?
•  How am I interconnected to the web of all life? How does my life show this?
• How in the living of my day to day life, are what I hold true acted out – put into practice?
• And inversely, how does the way I live my life, really point to what I really believe about things, not what I want to (or say) I believe? (For instance, one might say that generosity is very important characteristic, but when the hat is passed at work to purchase flowers to celebrate a co-workers a new baby, one doesn’t contribute.)

I do think that we are called to live holy lives, and to help create a holy society: one based on compassion tempered with justice. How we live our lives impacts matters. 

Lent provides a time and a space (if we are willing) to reflect upon our habits, and a chance to create some new ones as we move into what it means to live as Resurrection People.

Blessed Be,

Joel

PS - The Ash Wednesday Service will be posted later this afternoon. 

Ash Wednesday, 2013

On this Ash Wednesday, I find myself rebuilding a bilge pump and cleaning our Dickenson stove.
What are you working upon?
Do you find yourself reflecting upon your task at hand and how that might apply to you (i.e. "What in my life do I need to pump out?" or "Where do I need to clean in my interior/exterior life?")?

Such is the start of Lent.

Blessings,

Joel

Below is the standard Ash Wednesday service I have used for years (out of the United Methodist Book of Worship) - this year, I'm tempted to change the ritual from Ashes to Earth/Mud - reminding ourselves of our connection to our planet home, and the original blessing in the second creation story (see Genesis 2:4ff - please note that adama means human - not Adam whose partner is Eve). Thanks to Tanya and Creation-Care, 365 for this suggestion and pointing out the questions that Paul Nuechterlein raises:

 How about changing the line on Ash Wednesday for the Impositions of Ashes to, "Remember that you are earth, and to earth you shall return" -- which is basically another way to translate adama in Gen. 2:7. Isn't the deeper meaning of Genesis 2:7 that we are made of the same stuff as the earth, and so our fates are bound together? We are called to be stewards of the earth from which we are made. ...
Does this take us too far from the traditional Ash Wednesday theme? I might argue that, given the fact that the Imposition of Ashes is tied to Gen. 2:7, this way of striking the theme might be more true to the overall intentions of the beginning of the Lenten season with Ash Wednesday. If salvation from our sin is the theme of Lent, then let's put the matter into its proper cosmic, creational framework. The scope of God's salvation in Jesus Christ is the whole Creation. And our sinfulness is tied directly to the salvation of Creation because of our failure to live according to our true and original calling, namely, to be stewards with God of God's Creation. Redemption from our sin of straying away from our calling as stewards means redemption of the whole Creation. If we are redeemed to finally take care of the earth as we should, then the earth also begins to be redeemed.
~ Paul Neuchterlein, Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary, "Green Ash Wednesday"

ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE

GREETING:
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins.
God’s mercy endures forever.

OPENING PRAYER   (from the United Methodist Hymnal #353)

O God,

maker of every thing 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:
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Psalm 51 #785
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

INVITATION TO THE OBSERVANCE OF LENTEN DISCIPLINE
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

the early Christians observed with great devotion 

the day of our Lord's passion and resurrection, 

and it became the custom of the Church that before the Easter celebration 

there should be a forty-day season of spiritual preparation.

During this season converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism.

It was also a time when persons who had committed serious sins 

and had separated themselves from the community of faith 

were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, 

and restored to participation in the life of the Church.

In this way the whole congregation was reminded 

of the mercy and forgiveness proclaimed in the gospel of Jesus Christ 

and the need we all have to renew our faith.

I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, 

to observe a holy Lent: 

by self-examination and repentance; 

by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; 

and by reading and meditation on God's Holy  Word.

To make a right beginning of repentance, 

and as a mark of our mortal nature, 

let us now kneel (or bow) before our Creator and Redeemer.

(a brief silence is kept)

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.

IMPOSITIONS OF THE ASHES
(as people come forward, a leader dips a thumb in the ashes and makes 

a cross on the forehead of each person saying:
Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

DISMISSAL WITH A BLESSING

Ash Wednesday 2012

Ashes to Ashes and Dust to Dust
Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

Ash Wednesday (and Lent for that matter) always mean a time to be honest about who we are and what we are made of. A time to remember our interconnects with the planet and galaxy upon which we dwell. A time to remember that we are beloved of the Divine Presence which permeates everything.
Made from Earth we are,
Made from Water we are,
Made from Air and Fire we are,
Enlivened and Beloved by the Spirit we are.

As we move through Lent, may we find time to remember our connections, to slow down a bit and savor the awe that we too are God's Beloved.

Blessed Be

Joel

Ash Wednesday Service 2012

The following is an Ash Wednesday Service that I often use. This comes right out of the United Methodist Book of Worship and the United Methodist Hymnal. 

May you have a good and humble Ash Wednesday where ever you are.

Blessed Be

Joel

GREETING:
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins.
God’s mercy endures forever.

OPENING PRAYER   (from the United Methodist Hymnal #353)

O God,

maker of every thing 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:
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Psalm 51 #785
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

INVITATION TO THE OBSERVANCE OF LENTEN DISCIPLINE
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

the early Christians observed with great devotion 

the day of our Lord's passion and resurrection, 

and it became the custom of the Church that before the Easter celebration 

there should be a forty-day season of spiritual preparation.

During this season converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism.

It was also a time when persons who had committed serious sins 

and had separated themselves from the community of faith 

were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, 

and restored to participation in the life of the Church.

In this way the whole congregation was reminded 

of the mercy and forgiveness proclaimed in the gospel of Jesus Christ 

and the need we all have to renew our faith.

I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, 

to observe a holy Lent: 

by self-examination and repentance; 

by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; 

and by reading and meditation on God's Holy  Word.

To make a right beginning of repentance, 

and as a mark of our mortal nature, 

let us now kneel (or bow) before our Creator and Redeemer.

(a brief silence is kept)

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.

IMPOSITIONS OF THE ASHES
(as people come forward, a leader dips a thumb in the ashes and makes 

a cross on the forehead of each person saying:
Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

DISMISSAL WITH A BLESSING

Ash Wednesday & the Start of Lent

note: Bob Steele photo:

On the way home on Monday I was driving down the Semiahmoo Spit watching the birds, when out of my window, level with my head and traveling in the same direction, was a Northern Harrier hunting. He swooped below a bush, and I lost sight of him, only to ride the thermal back up, turn his head and look straight into my eyes. Then he was back to hunting.

An amazing moment.

Upon looking Harriers up in the bird book and on-line, I find that they are common to this part of Washington, I've just never seen one hunting on the spit before.

At times in my life, especially when struggling to make a decision, I have sometimes looked for signs and omens among the wildlife. Sometimes this proves helpful, sometimes not. But I count it a true gift of grace to have encounters with other earth species.

At this particular moment, I was just basking in the glory of the evening with nothing on my mind.

I found this encounter truly a moment filled with grace and awe.

Lent is a time in which we take a good look at ourselves, to see us as we truly are: as God's beloved, but also in need of some work. It is a time for truly seeing and paying attention and hard work.

During this Lenten Season, may you be graced with moments of awe and wonder.

Ash Wednesday Quote #2

"Where, in our reality, is grace embodied?" Leonardo Boff asks, while encouraging people to meditate on "avenues of grace."

Sounds like a good Lenten discipline.

Ash Wednesday Quote #1

When asked how seriously to take environmental issues brought about by events such as Earth Day, Wendell Berry replied, "I don't think we can take it seriously until people begin to talk seriously about lowering the standard of living. When people begin to see affluence, economic growth, unrestrained economic behavior as the enemies of the environment, then we can take it seriously. But people are saying, 'Give us everything we want and a clean environment,' and this isn't a possibility."

Ash Wednesday Service

Here is a link to the Ash Wednesday Service, or you may check under the prior postings, February 2009, Ash Wednesday Service.

Blessed Ash Wednesday to all of you.

Joel

Ash Wednesday Ponderings

At times I find myself saying a few words at Ash Wednesday Services - at other times, I don't. This is one of those times. (The Order of Service for an Ash Wednesday Service follows as a separate posting.)

When I drive by billboards I can't help but turn and read them, especially those that churches put up. Some of them bring me a chuckle (like "Patience is a virtue with a lot of wait" or "Treat yourself to one of our Sundays"), some of them find me saying "Amen!" to the sentiment, and others have me groaning theologically. Part of my problem is that ever sense I've learned to read, I read everything I see. I can't help it. 

The one that caught me this week however was a sign that said: "Humility is how we denounce temptation." While I might phrase this differently, it struck me as being very appropriate for Ash Wednesday and for the 1st Sunday of Lent in which we read about Jesus' Temptations in the Wilderness (if following the Revised Common Lectionary).

Ash Wednesday as always struck me as one of humbleness. We are remembering our origins, and the blessings that come from that. After all, God formed us from the dust of the earth, and called us blessed. Even if we haven't always lived that way.

The postings of late have been rather academic is some ways. And yet they also hit home for me. How about for you? I find them challenging. I know that I am no where near living a fully just lifestyle. I'd love to give up a car, for instance, but the commute between boat and bread job is just too far right now to do so. I do, however, find these readings to challenge me to think in more creative ways. Ways that benefit not only myself, and those immediately around me, but those across the globe, as well as the globe. Together we can make a difference in how the Kingdom of God is realized here and now.

Traditionally Lent has been a time of giving something up. I'd rather be pro- something rather than anti- something. So rather than giving up sugar, for example, I'd rather be for eating more healthfully. One of my colleagues announced on facebook that he was thinking about giving up his car for Lent. Immediately he got feedback from someone who had given up her car a number of years ago. I think our greatest asset is one another. I'm going to strive to eat lower on the food chain this Lent, while also being intentional about community. How about you?

Ash Wednesday Service

The following is an Ash Wednesday Service that I often use. This comes right out of the United Methodist Book of Worship and the United Methodist Hymnal. 

May you have a good and humble Ash Wednesday where ever you are.

Joel

GREETING:
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins.
God’s mercy endures forever.

OPENING PRAYER   (from the United Methodist Hymnal #353)

O God,

maker of every thing 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:
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Psalm 51 #785
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

INVITATION TO THE OBSERVANCE OF LENTEN DISCIPLINE
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

the early Christians observed with great devotion 

the day of our Lord's passion and resurrection, 

and it became the custom of the Church that before the Easter celebration 

there should be a forty-day season of spiritual preparation.

During this season converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism.

It was also a time when persons who had committed serious sins 

and had separated themselves from the community of faith 

were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, 

and restored to participation in the life of the Church.

In this way the whole congregation was reminded 

of the mercy and forgiveness proclaimed in the gospel of Jesus Christ 

and the need we all have to renew our faith.

I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, 

to observe a holy Lent: 

by self-examination and repentance; 

by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; 

and by reading and meditation on God's Holy  Word.

To make a right beginning of repentance, 

and as a mark of our mortal nature, 

let us now kneel (or bow) before our Creator and Redeemer.

(a brief silence is kept)

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.

IMPOSITIONS OF THE ASHES
(as people come forward, a leader dips a thumb in the ashes and makes 

a cross on the forehead of each person saying:
Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

DISMISSAL WITH A BLESSING