Ash Wednesday Service - 2/22/2023
Recorded Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church in Bangor, Wisconsin. WELCOME TO WORSHIP In the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we welcome you to St. Paul’s. We especially welcome our guests who have joined us today. We pray that your soul will be strengthened by the good news of God’s forgiveness through Jesus. ASH WEDNESDAY Ash Wednesday begins the Christian’s Lenten journey with a reminder of our mortality and a call to repentance. The ancient practice of imposing ashes on the foreheads of Christians gives Ash Wednesday its name; the church father Tertullian (c. 160-215 AD) writes of the practice as a public expression of repentance and of our human frailty that stands in need of Christ. Repentance over sin and our need for forgiveness are the primary emphases of worship on Ash Wednesday. This focus is distinct from the other midweek services offered during Lent, which focus on the historical account of Jesus’ suffering and death. PRAYER IN PREPARATION FOR TODAY’S WORSHIP Almighty and merciful God, work in me as I walk the final steps with my Savior on his journey to the cross. Create in me such a new and contrite heart that I may truly repent of my sins and obtain your full and gracious pardon. Remind me tonight that I am but dust and ashes without my Savior Jesus. In his name I pray. Amen. HIS FINAL STEPS In our Lenten services, we will walk with our Savior on the final steps of his journey to the cross. How humbling and comforting to learn that Jesus knew exactly what lay ahead. Yet Jesus took his final steps to the cross for you and for me. OPENING HYMN Enslaved by Sin and Bound in Chains | 102 (1,3,5) INTRODUCTION TO LENT CONFESSION The Word FIRST LESSON Isaiah 59:12-20 PSALM OF THE DAY Psalm 51a, p.86 SECOND LESSON 2 Corinthians 7:8-13a GOSPEL Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 HYMN OF THE DAY In Adam We Have All Been One | 396 SERMON Mark 11:12-14, 20-25 His Final Steps Led to a Fig Tree CONFESSION OF FAITH The Second Article of the Apostles’ Creed OFFERING The Sacrament WORDS OF INSTITUTION O CHRIST, LAMB OF GOD DISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION HYMN Come to Calvary’s Holy Mountain | 106 DISTRIBUTION HYMN Christ, the Life of All the Living | 114 DISTRIBUTION HYMN Savior, When in Dust to You | 124 PRAYER LORD’S PRAYER BLESSING CLOSING HYMN Glory Be to Jesus | 103
