Ash Wednesday - Order of Service

Hymn

Opening Sentences and Collect (minister says)

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23,24

Almighty God, who has made us to know that we are dust and to dust we shall return, make us also to know that we are temples of thy holy Spirit and recipients of thy grace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

General Confession (all say)

Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against thy holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us. Spare thou those who confess their faults. Restore thou those who are penitent, according to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life; to the glory of thy holy name. Amen.

Prayer for Forgiveness (minister says)

Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who desirest not the death of sinners, but rather that they should turn from their wickedness and live: we beseech thee to grant us true repentance, and thy holy Spirit; that those things may please thee of which we do at this present, and that the rest of our life hereafter may be pure and holy; so that at the last we may come to thine eternal joy, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer (all say)

Welcome and Announcements

Old Testament – Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 (read by lector)

Psalm 51:1-17 (minister leads congregation in reading responsively)

New Testament – Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 (read by lector)

Homily

Invitation (Invite all who wish to receive ashes to do so, in whatever style suits the group and its context. At KC folks kneel at the Communion rail and receive ashes from the minister that way.)

Hymn 1 st two verses of “Abide with Me” (The singing of this hymn while receiving ashes is traditional at KC.)

Imposition of Ashes (minister says to each person “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.”)

Versicles

Minister: The Lord be with you.
People: And with thy spirit.
Minister: Let us pray
            Oh Lord, show thy mercy upon us,
People: And grant us thy salvation.
Minister: O God, make clean our hearts within us.
People: And take not thy holy Spirit from us.

Prayers (At KC we do a basic pastoral prayer in which specific names are lifted up to God. You could do joys and sorrows here if it’s a small group and that is your congregation’s custom.)

Hymn Last two verses of “Abide with Me”

Benediction (whoever preached offers the Benediction)

Postlude