Here are the resources you need for Ash Wednesday. Please feel free to choose what is suitable for your congregation’s needs. You will notice that the orders of service are available in different formats: choose the “pdf” format if you want something that is ready to print and photocopy, the “doc” or “rtf” format if you wish to change the formatting yourself or the “ppt” format if you use PowerPoint.
NOTES ON THE IMPOSITION OF ASHES
As the name implies, Ash Wednesday is the day on which Christians are marked with the sign of the cross in ashes. This ceremony is optional and, if introduced for the first time, may be preceded with instruction as to its meaning.
The imposition of ashes is a personal reminder of our mortal nature (Genesis 2:7, ‘The Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground’) and of our need to repent and die to sin. Since the ashes are imposed in the sign of the cross, the imposition is also a reminder that Christ became dust and ashes like us, taking on our mortal nature and bearing our sin, so that we might be redeemed. Some people object to the ceremony on the basis of the gospel for the day (‘Some disfigure their faces . . . but when you fast, wash your face’) but imposition of ashes is not intended to be a public sign to others of our piety.
The ashes are prepared by burning dry leaves and, when the ashes are cool, passing them through a sieve to produce a fine powder. Traditionally, the ashes come from the leaves of the branches used at the procession with palms on Palm Sunday of the previous year.
The ashes are placed in a small bowl about two inches across. The bowl should comfortably sit in the palm of the left hand, leaving the right hand free to apply the ashes. Before the Ash Wednesday service begins, the bowl of ashes is placed on a side table or on the corner of the altar ready for use.
If the imposition of ashes is used in the service, the rite takes place after the sermon. This is to enable the sermon to serve as a call to repentance. It also enables the minister/leader to explain the rite during the sermon if the imposition of ashes is new to the congregation’s experience.
The text of the rite can be found in the service orders below. The responses (from the funeral service) are said. During the final collect, the minister/leader may touch the bowl of ashes, or make the sign of the cross over them, to indicate the ashes referred to in the prayer. The minister/leader then asks the worshippers to come forward (if they wish) and receive the imposition. Children also may be encouraged to participate. The worshippers may approach the altar as for continuous communion, or they may simply come forward in single file. The minister/leader (with the help of an assistant if the congregation is large) imposes the ashes by rubbing some of the ash between his thumb and forefinger of his right hand and then, with his thumb (using the other fingers of his hand to brush aside hair etc) he marks the forehead of the worshippers with a small cross.
The minister/leader will say: Remember that you are dust, and that to dust you shall return. It is essential to address each worshipper individually. Having received the ashes, the worshipper returns to his or her place. After all who wish to have received the ashes, either the minister/leader marks himself with the ashes, or this may be done by his assistant. A period of silence may be observed, and then the service continues with the prayers.
- Altar colour: Violet
- Bible readings:
FIRST READING Joel 2:1,2,12-17 A call to repentance
or Isaiah 58:1-12 A fast acceptable to the Lord
PSALM Psalm 51:1-17
SECOND READING 2 Corinthians 5:20b- 6:10 Be reconciled to God
GOSPEL Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 Giving to the poor, praying , and fasting - Sermons:
Lay-readers please note: the linked sermons have not been edited for general use. As part of your preparations, keep in mind that they have been written for specific people in a specific context, and for this reason the issues they address or the examples they use may not be entirely suitable for people in your congregation. If you feel this is the case, you may need to make minor adjustments or find another sermon
Based on Joel reading: Pr Tim Stringer ; Pr Roger Atze
Based on Isaiah reading: NEW edited for lay reading sermon – isaiah 58 1-12 – ash wed
Based on 2 Corinthians reading: edited for lay reading sermon – 2 corinthians 5 20b-6 10 – year a – ash wed ; Pr Heath Pukallus
Based on gospel reading: edited for lay reading sermon – matt 6 1-6 16-21 – year b – ash wed
Based on gospel reading and Joel reading: Pr Tim Stringer - Orders of service:
Ash Wednesday Word and Prayer (suitable for lay reading) ( pdf / doc / ppt )
NEW Ash Wednesday with Holy Communion (pdf / doc/ ppt) - Opening sentences:
Yet even now, says the Lord,
return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
rend your hearts and not your clothing. (Joel 2:12,13a NRSV)OR
Come back to the Lord, your God.
He is kind and full of mercy;
he is patient and keeps his promise;
he is always ready to forgive and not punish. (Joel 2:13b TEV)OR
In the time of my favour I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you.
I tell you, now is the time of God’s favour,
now is the day of salvation. (2 Cor 6:2 NIV) - Prayer of the Day (Collect): included in above service orders or use one of the following
Traditional
Almighty and eternal God,
since you hate nothing that you have made,
but forgive the sins of all who repent:
Create in us new and contrite hearts,
that we, who lament our sins
and acknowledge our wretchedness,
may obtain from you perfect forgiveness;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.OR, alternative
(Let us pray for God’s mercy. [silence])
Lord God, heavenly Father,
you desire to be merciful
and are always more willing to pardon than condemn.
Listen to the prayers of your penitent people,
and in your goodness
set free all who are trapped in sin.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.OR, new (based on traditional)
(Let us pray for God’s mercy. [silence])
Loving heavenly Father,
you look in mercy on our weakness,
and you forgive all who repent.
Show us our sins,
make us sorry for them,
and create in us new and clean hearts.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen. - Prayer of the Church/ General Prayer: Included in the service orders or use one of the following: Ash Wednesday A ; Responsive prayer
- Offering prayer : included in the service order or use the following
Merciful God,
you gave your Son to take our sin.
Lead us to give ourselves and what we have
for your service.
Help us to discipline ourselves,
so that we may show your care
to those in need.
Amen. - Visual images for the day from His Word in Pictures: Matt 6:3,4 ; Matt 6:6
- Song/Hymn suggestions: * = Modernised version available (please click here to go to the Modernised hymns page) ;G3, G4 . . . = Guitar chords available in the Music Package 3, 4 . . .; GS = Guitar chords in the Supplement to LH
First reading (a): Joel 2:1,2,12-17
LHS
192 Bowed low in supplication
256 Not to us, O Lord, the glory G9
302 Sinners, turn: why will you die? G7
304 Delay not, delay not, O sinner, draw near G7
309 Ah, Lord and God G5
310 Out of the depths I cry to Thee* (alt tune 404, G9)
313 With broken heart and contrite sigh
316 Smite me not, O mighty God G4
401 When in the hour of utmost need G3
485 The day is surely drawing near* G5
488 That day of wrath, that dreadful day
850 O Father, my Father, I call on your name GS
AT
6 O Father, my Father
11 Lord, have mercy
238 Kyrie 1 (Taize)
269 Create in us
327 Sorry
331 Turn to me with all your heart
332 We are sorry
354 Change my heart, O God
379 Kyrie eleison (Ghana)
392 Kyrie eleison (Russia)
398 A child of God
446 Mercy
TIS
81 Out of the depths I cry to you
463 May this Lenten discipline
577 Come, let us to the Lord our God
712 Create in us
739 Kyrie eleison (Ghana)
735 Kyrie (Taize)
736 Kyrie eleison (Ukranian)First reading (b): Isaiah 58:1-12
LHS
356 Lord of glory, who hast bought us* G3
380 O God of mercy, God of might G9
815 O Christ, the healer, we have come G6 (see also TIS 638)
816 O Fount of good, for all your love G7
817 O Jesus Christ, to you may hymns be rising G7
819 Wake us, O Lord, to human need G9
820 We thank you, God, for eyes to see GS
850 O Father, my Father, I call on your name GS
855 Brother, let me be your servant (mod- TIS 650)
858 Make me a channel (see AT for guitar chords in E) (TIS 607)
AT
6 O Father, my Father, I call on your name
95 Make me a channel of your peace
191 The servant song
300 Practise love
301 Prayer of peace
308 We are called to follow Jesus
310 Yesu, Yesu, fill us with your love
354 Change my heart, O God
357 Give us hearts to know you, Lord
373 Bound by love
377 Heal me
390 Put on love
397 These I lay down
398 A child of God
402 God has chosen me
414 Take this moment
600 Jesus, the bright morning star
TIS
607 Make me a channel of your peace
618 What does the Lord require
620 O Jesus Christ, may grateful hymns be rising
638 O Christ, the healer, we have come
640 Kneels at the feet of his friends
650 Brother, sister, let me serve you
657 God of freedom, God of justice
690 Beauty for brokennessSecond reading: 2 Corinthians 5:20b – 6:10
LHS
48 Lamb of God most holy* G5
52 O sacred head, now wounded* G6 (see also TIS 339)
55 (pt 1) O dearest Jesus, what law hast Thou broken* G4 (mod TIS 337)
57 (pt l) A Lamb goes uncomplaining forth* G5
58 (pt 1) O world, see thy Life languish* G3 (see Mod TIS 338)
59 Jesus, I will ponder now* G8
60 Christ, the life of all the living G5
70 Stricken, smitten, and afflicted* G3
196 Look down, O Lord, from heaven behold
198 Let us, O Father, never be confounded G6
200 Thou little flock, be not dismayed
305 Today Thy mercy calls us* G3
331 My hope is built on nothing less* G5
361 Let us ever walk with Jesus* G5
407 If thou but suffer God to guide thee* G6 (mod TIS 554)
857 Low, the way is low GS
862 As we step from the edge of morning GS
AT
22 He was wounded
84 I want Jesus to walk with me
101 Jesus, please watch over us
185 Jesus, Son of God and man
190 The way is low
215 My hiding place
219 Then I will praise you, my Saviour, again
235 In your hand, my Saviour
261 The Servant King
275 In our darkness
278 Lord, hear our prayer
281 Nothing can separate us from the love of God
310 Yesu, Yesu, fill us with your love
348 Sing hey for the carpenter
358 Gift to the world
372 Teach me your way
384 If we will trust in God to guide us
399 Holding out your hand
401 Follow me
439 Forgiven
TIS
219 Jesus comes with all his grace
256 From heaven you came, helpless babe (The Servant King)
259 Among us and before us, Lord, you stand
337 O dearest Jesus, why aren’t you acquitted
338 See, world, your life suspended
339 O sacred head sore wounded
554 If we will trust in God to guide us
640 Kneels at the feet of his friends
693 Come as you areGospel: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
LHS
119 Come down, O Love divine G9 (see TIS 398)
132 Spirit of wisdom, turn our eyes (alt tune 245, G6)
149 Jesus, priceless treasure* G3
150 King of glory, now before Thee G6
153 One thing needful: this one treasure G9
178 Dearest Saviour, hear my promise G3
756 O Lord, throughout these forty days G5
757 On my heart imprint your image
788 Lord, who left the highest heaven G8
789 My Lord, you wore no royal crown G6
848 With deep humility, O Lord G5 (holy communion)
849 With holy joy my heart shall beat (alt tune 839, G7) (holy communion)
899 O Lord, hear my prayer
AT
34 Seek ye first
199 I know where I’m going
274 In Jesus’ name
282 O Lord, hear my prayer
397 These I lay down (holy communion)
413 The summons
TIS
398 Come down, O Love divine
476 As a chalice cast of gold
741 O Lord, hear my prayer
745 Seek ye first the kingdom of GodPSALM 51 – The Allegri Miserere
In the 1960s, the Choir of Kings College, Cambridge, under the direction of David Willcocks, recorded an English version of the Allegri Miserere, with Roy Goodman as the solo treble. If a recording of this piece can be obtained, or another recording in English, and the text of the psalm provided for the congregation to follow (from the old Book of Common Prayer), it provides a suitably meditative pause in the Ash Wednesday service.PSALM 51:1-17 – Versions for the congregation to sing
TIS 32, Have mercy on me, O God, is a version of Psalm 51:1-4a,10-12,15; and TIS 31, Have mercy on us, living Lord, is a paraphrase of the whole psalm.Here are two metrical versions of Psalm 51:1-17 by David Schütz for the congregation to sing together. Since both versions are rather long, consider alternating verses between men and women or left and right sides of the church. If reproducing either of these versions, please put ‘Words (c) David Schütz’ at the beginning or the end of the psalm.Version 1. Tune: Aus tiefer Not (Luther) LH 310 Have mercy on me, O my God,
according to your steadfast love;
wipe my transgressions from your sight,
according to your gen’rous grace.
O wash me from iniquity,
and cleanse me from the stain of sin;
for I know my transgressions.I’ve sinned against you, Lord, alone,
and done what’s evil in your sight,
so you are right to sentence me,
and blameless when you judge my sin.
Indeed, a sinner I was born,
but you seek truth within my heart;
so make me know your wisdom.Purge me with hyssop, make me clean;
O wash me, make me white as snow.
Let me hear sounds of joy again;
and give me gladness in my soul.
O let the bones you crushed be healed
and turn your face from all my sins,
blot out all my transgressions.Create in me a clean heart, God,
and let my spirit be renewed.
Don’t cast me out, away from you,
or take your spirit from my heart.
Restore to me the joy I knew
when first you saved me from my sin.
Uphold me with your spirit.Then I will teach your way to those
whose sin has brought them to despair;
and I will teach them how you save,
and then they will return to you.
O rescue me, my saving God,
from death, so that my heart will sing
out loud of how you saved me.Open my lips, O Lord, and I
will tell about your love to all.
For you require no sacrifice;
there’s nothing I could offer you.
The sacrifice you ask of me,
is but a broken, contrite heart.
And this, I know, you’ll not despise.OR
Version 2. Tune: Delay not LH 304Have mercy upon me, O God, in your love;
blot out my transgressions, O merciful God;
O wash me and cleanse me from all of my guilt,
for I know my sin and I know what I’ve done.Against you, O Father, alone, I have sinned,
and done what is evil, condemned by your law.
I know that your judgment is righteous and true;
I know I am guilty, that’s how I was born.But you look for truth in my innermost thoughts;
so give me your wisdom deep down in my heart.
Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean,
and wash me and make me far whiter than snow.Let me hear your good news that I may be glad;
and let me rejoice when my hurts have been healed.
Don’t let your eyes rest on the sins I have done;
blot out from your memory the things I’ve done wrong.Create a clean heart within me, O my God,
and put a right spirit within me, O Lord.
Don’t chase me away from your presence, I pray,
and don’t take your life-giving spirit away.O Lord, be my Saviour, renew all my joy,
sustain in me your willing spirit to serve;
and then I will teach those who sin of your love,
and they will return to you, just as I have.Deliver me, God, from the evil of death;
and then I will praise you, O Saviour, and sing.
Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare
your praise now and ever, here and everywhere.You take no delight in the offerings we bring;
there’s nothing you ask of us that we should give.
There’s only one sacrifice that you accept:
a heart that is sorry and ready for love.Music Resources Vol 3– Psalm settings: Psalm 51 p93 , Psalm 51 p94
OTHER HELPFUL WEBSITES FOR CHURCH MUSIC
While the LCA does not necessarily endorse the content of these websites, you may find them helpful in your worship planning.
Small Church Music: You can download mp3 and midi files of popular hymn tunes from this site.
Together to Celebrate: lectionary based song and hymn suggestions from a variety of sources.
Singing from the Lectionary: has song and hymn suggestions based on the RCL from other hymnals.
Song Select: you can search for more contemporary songs by theme. If your congregation has a paid subscription you can also download sheet music.
Hymns Without Words: mp3 downloads of hymn tunes.
Song and Hymn Index. Contains all the indexes of the LHS and AT books in one Excel file. Download the file (zip file) here.
Metrical Psalms by Dale Schoening : Psalms set to well known hymn tunes.
Keyboard Accompaniments for Together in Song – CDs are available for purchase through ACR. CD 1 & 2 ; CD 3 & 4.
