Develop a Discipleship System
The central liturgical act in this service is, of course, the imposition of ashes. The outline of the ritual in the Book of Worship is an effective means of introducing the practice even in congregations unfamiliar with the act. The service begins on page 321, but many use the “Invitation to the Observance of Lenten Discipline” and the “Thanksgiving Over the Ashes.” The Confession and Pardon is also important in this service, whether done as a corporate or unison prayer or whether there is individual space for people to pray in their own way.
Call to Worship for the Start of Lent
(inspired by Joel 2:12)
Turn away from the calls of worldly success
Repent, and turn back to God.
Turn away from the desire to have what everyone else has
Repent, and turn back to God.
Turn away from greed and the race for power
Repent, and turn back to God.
As we enter Lent, may we turn back to God
May we seek forgiveness,
may we seek healing,
may we seek wholeness.
May our hearts be renewed in this time of worship.
written by Rev. Mindi and posted on Rev-o-lution. http://rev-o-lution.org/
A Call to Worship for Ash Wednesday
Inspired by Psalm 51
Leader: God, we are dirty and need more than bleach for cleansing.
People: For you, Lord God, are able. Able to erase our wrongs.
Scrub away our guilt.
You are the only one able to wash us clean from our sins.
Leader: God, you are merciful and compassionate. Your love is everlasting.
People: We have done wrong—repeatedly—and we continue to violate the commands of your word.
Leader: We pause now, Lord, to confess our sins to you.
You are faithful to forgive.
(Silence for Reflection and Confession)
Prayer of Submission: God, create in us clean hearts and renew your spirit within us. Please don't take your spirit away from us; restore unto us the joy of your salvation. Be willing, O God, to keep us in your tender care. Deliver us, Lord, and free us from ourselves – our flesh. Help us, Father, to use our lives as a testament to your transformational power. Allow your Holy Spirit to redirect us when we begin to wallow back to the former. We want to be used in your service.
Here we are, Lord. We yield ourselves to you.
(Silence for Reflection and Submission)
Words of Assurance: God, you remind us in your word that when we are in Christ we are new creatures, and the old things pass away. This Ash Wednesday we take hold of your promise: Renew us, Lord: a new walk, a new talk, a new mind, a new heart, a new life.
Thank you for the promise that we can truly be made new again. Amen.
Kaleb A. Oates, Lenten Liturgical Resources from Africana Writers, edited by Safiya Fosua, 2020.
Even Now, Return to Me: A Litany Leading to Prayer
One: Even now, return to me, says God. Let the sirens in the streets rage; let the trumpet from the church house blow. Let those consumed with darkness, gloomy from bad fortunes know that:
Many: Even now, God says, return to me.
One: Let the abused and abusing hear, the defiant and disobedient revere. Let the sinner and the scornful draw near. Return from your ignorance, return from your injustice. Return from your apathy, return from your agony.
Many: Even now, God says, return to me.
One: Return from your selfishness, return from your greed. Return from your neglect, return out of your need.
Many: Even now, God says, return to me.
One: Return to me, with a clean heart. Return to me with fasting, weeping and mourning.
All: Return to me, God says, for I am gracious and merciful; I am slow to anger and full of steadfast love. Return to me, God says, for I am your God.
Joseph W. Daniels, The Africana Worship Book for Year B, Discipleship Resources, 2007, p. 84.
Litany of Confession
(based on Ezekiel 36:26, Psalm 51:10; Joel 2:12, and Jeremiah 24:7)
I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you,
taking from your bodies your stony hearts
and giving you natural hearts. (Ezekiel 36:26)
A clean heart, create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Yet even now, says the Lord,
return to me with your whole heart,
with fasting, and weeping, and mourning. (Joel 2:12)
A clean heart, create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
I will give you a heart with which to understand that I am the Lord.
You shall be my people and I will be your God,
for you shall return to me with your whole heart. (Jeremiah 24:7)
A clean heart, create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Oh, that today you would hear his voice:
“Harden not your hearts.” (Psalm 95:7-8)
A clean heart, create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
— from Penance Service Cycle B, posted on the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ogsdenburg website. Reposted: https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2012/02/litany-of-confession-lent.html
Running Back to You
A Litany Inspired by Joel 2: 1-2, 12-17
Leader: Lord, we are tired of doing things our way.
The benefits are temporary, and the effects are long-lasting.
People: So, Lord, we come running back to you.
Leader: Lord, we have gone astray.
We are guilty of living contrary to your Word, your will, and your way.
People: But, Lord, we come running back to you.
Leader: Lord, you are coming back soon and very soon.
We want to be ready when you return.
People: Yes, Lord, we come running back to you.
Leader: Lord, we fear you. This fear doesn't run us away from you,
but it keeps us running back to you.
People: My Lord, we come running back to you!
Leader: We cry out to you, Lord. We ask for your forgiveness.
We recall the price you paid for us on Calvary.
People: Thank You, Lord. We come running back to you.
Leader: At this time, Lord, we choose to fast and to pray.
We seek to separate ourselves from our fleshly desires
in order to concentrate wholly on you.
People: Hold us fast, Lord. We come running back you.
Leader: Lord, we meet you, here, in this special place of gathering.
We rejoice in knowing that you are able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we can ask, think, or even imagine
according to the power which is at work within us.
People: With our sacrifices of praise and worship,
we come running back to you.
All: God, we glorify you today. Thank you for not giving up on us.
Thank you for not throwing us away or casting us aside.
Thank you for not dealing with us as we so deserved.
Thank you for love that covers a multitude of sins.
With wide open arms, you have received us,
so we come running back to you.
Kaleb A. Oates, Lenten Liturgical Resources from Africana Writers, edited by Safiya Fosua, 2020.
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Colors
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