The Gathering
We meet In the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
Grace, mercy and peace
from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ
be with you
All: And also with you.
First – Forty Days and Forty Nights
- Forty days and forty nights
You were fasting in the wild;
Forty days and forty nights
Tempted, and yet undefiled.
- Shall not we your sorrow share
And from worldly joys abstain,
Fasting with unceasing prayer,
Strong with you to suffer pain?
- Then if Satan on us press,
Flesh or spirit to assail,
Victor in the wilderness,
Grant we may not faint nor fail!
- So shall we have peace divine;
Holier gladness ours shall be;
Round us, too, shall angels shine,
Such as served You faithfully.
5. Keep, O keep us, Saviour dear,
Ever constant by your side,
That with you we may appear
At the eternal Eastertide. (by George Hunt Smyttan – 1856)
Introduction
Brothers and sisters in Christ, since early days Christians have observed with great devotion the time of our Lord’s passion and resurrection and prepared for this by a season of penitence and fasting.
By carefully keeping these days, Christians take to heart the call to repentance and the assurance of forgiveness proclaimed in the gospel, and so grow in faith and in devotion to our Lord. I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy word.
Collect for Ash Wednesday
All: Holy God,
our lives are laid open before you:
rescue us from the chaos of sin
and through the death of your Son
bring us healing and make us whole
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Liturgy of the Word
First Reading 2 Corinthians Chap: 5
Chap: 5
20 Here we are, then, speaking for Christ, as though God himself were making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf: let God change you from enemies into his friends!
21 Christ was without sin, but for our sake God made him share our sin in order that in union with him we might share the righteousness of God.
Chap: 6
1 In our work together with God, then, we beg you who have received God’s grace not to let it be wasted.
2 Hear what God says: “When the time came for me to show you favor, I heard you; when the day arrived for me to save you, I helped you.” Listen! This is the hour to receive God’s favour; today is the day to be saved!
3 We do not want anyone to find fault with our work, so we try not to put obstacles in anyone’s fashion.
4 Instead, in everything we do we show that we are God’s servants by patiently enduring troubles, hardships, and difficulties.
5 We have been beaten, jailed, and mobbed; we have been overworked and have gone without sleep or food.
6 By our purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness we have shown ourselves to be God’s servants – by the Holy Spirit, by our true love,
7 by our message of truth, and by the power of God. We have righteousness as our weapon, both to attack and to defend ourselves.
8 We are honoured and disgraced; we are insulted and praised. We are treated as liars, yet we speak the truth;
9 as unknown, yet we are known by all; as though we were dead, but, as you see, we live on. Although punished, we are not killed;
10 although saddened, we are always glad; we seem poor, but we make many people rich; we seem to have nothing, yet we really possess everything.
Psalm – 50
3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
and justified when you judge.
5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
so that sinners will turn back to you.
14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
you who are God my Saviour,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
17 My sacrifice, O God, is[b] a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart
you, God, will not despise.
Hymn – Lord Jesus, think on me
1 Lord Jesus, think on me,
and purge away my sin;
from earth-born passions set me free,
and make me pure within.
2 Lord Jesus, think on me,
with care and woe oppressed,
let me Thy loving servant be,
and taste Thy promised rest.
3 Lord Jesus, think on me,
nor let me go astray;
through darkness and perplexity
point Thou the heav’nly way.
4 Lord Jesus, think on me,
that, when the flood is past,
I may eternal brightness see,
and share Thy joy at last. (by Synesius of Cyrene, Bishop of Ptolemais 375 to 430)
Please stand for the Gospel
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to – John Chap: 8
All: Glory to you, O Lord.
1 Then everyone went home, but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
2 Early the next morning he went back to the Temple. All the people gathered around him, and he sat down and began to teach them.
3 The teachers of the Law and the Pharisees brought in a woman who had been caught committing adultery, and they made her stand before them all.
4 “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery.
5 In our Law Moses commanded that such a woman must be stoned to death. Now, what do you say?”
6 They said this to trap Jesus, so that they could accuse him. But he bent over and wrote on the ground with his finger.
7 As they stood there asking him questions, he straightened up and said to them, “Whichever one of you has committed no sin may throw the first stone at her.”
8 Then he bent over again and wrote on the ground.
9 When they heard this, they all left, one by one, the older ones first. Jesus was left alone, with the woman still standing there.
10 He straightened up and said to her, “Where are they? Is there no one left to condemn you?”
11 “No one, sir,” she answered. “Well, then,” Jesus said, “I do not condemn you either. Go, but do not sin again.”
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
All: Praise to you, O Christ
Sermon – Ash Wednesday Service with Holy Communion. – 2023
In your bible it is most likely that this last passage read from John will be written in italics. Your bible footnotes will tell you that this passage cannot be found in the original texts, so may have been added at a later stage.
But despite this challenge, this well-known text remains profound.
Its addition to the Gospel of John demonstrates the generosity, grace, forgiveness and life changing teaching of Jesus.
Jesus begins to teach at dawn, keen to impart all he can to his followers whilst he can. Students who arrive at dawn to be taught are equally as keen to learn as much as they can, despite the early start to the day.
We discover in the text that the teachers of the law and the Pharisees seek to trick and mock Jesus. They present a woman caught in adultery and want Jesus to say the wrong thing so they can condemn him and the adulterer.
The teachers of the law and the Pharisees use this woman caught in the act of adultery as a pawn to maneuverer against Jesus. They are not concerned with her fate, perhaps that has already been decided, they are more keen to challenge and ultimately silence Jesus, this man who teaches students from dawn.
But Jesus ignores these men who have disturbed his teaching. He writes on the ground with his finger. What he wrote we do not know. Was it a word of prayer? Perhaps a word connected to this woman accused of adultery? The importance of this writing remains unknown.
But what his writing did reveal to these men confronting Jesus that he would not cower or panic when faced with their challenge, but he would be at peace with their tricks and schemes.
Eventually, after more badgering from those seeking to trap Jesus he says,
“Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”
He then returns to his writing on the ground.
Almost immediately the peace and wisdom from these words spoken by Jesus begins to spread throughout the room. First the eldest, perhaps the wisest, respond to this wisdom and are the first to withdraw. Eventually, even the hot heads leave. All have been faced with the undeniable truth that none gathered are without sin. They have come to trick and trap Jesus, but it is they who are shamed by such profound teaching.
If they condemn her, they realise that they condemn themselves too, for all have fallen short of the glory of the Lord.
The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sought to challenge Jesus by quoting the law of Moses.
Would Jesus agree with them or break their much-treasured laws?
But remember the words of Jesus found in Matthew’s gospel.
In Matthew Chap: 5 Vers: 17 Jesus teaches:
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them.
18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
Jesus came to build on all of the Old Testament laws.
But the laws and the temple, were laws and buildings written and built by human hands.
In Jesus we are promised a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and the first earth shall pass away, and in this new heaven and new earth, God will dwell amongst his people.
This is how the Old Testament laws will be fulfilled.
Back to the story, after the room has cleared, Jesus asks:
“Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
The woman replies:
”No one, sir,” she said.
Jesus replies with such great love:
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
With these words of Jesus there is forgiveness and instruction. He tells her she is free to go, but she must leave her life of sin.
In doing so this forgiven woman becomes part of this new heaven and new earth that we are all promised.
This is the take home message from this passage: Jesus forgives. Hoorah.
No more condemnation.
Not because the accusations against her or us are lies, this is not a challenge against the truth, just the judgment and condemnation.
Jesus comes to forgive, not condemn. If we seek to follow Jesus, to be led by Jesus, to imitate Jesus, to find our own forgiveness in Jesus, then we are called to forgive others.
Do we not pray this in the Lord’s Prayer? Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
At the heart of this story is forgiveness. We begin this lent by seeking a clean slate, forgiveness for ourselves and forgiveness given to others who have offended us or brought us pain.
We must pray for the boldness to confess our sins to Jesus and the courage to forgive those who have caused us pain.
This is why tonight on Ash Wednesday we seek to bear the cross of Christ upon our foreheads. We seek to live as a forgiven people, ready and willing to forgive others.
Amen.
The Liturgy of Penitence
Self-examination and Confession
Let us now call to mind our sin and the
infinite mercy of God.
Accept our repentance, Lord. For the wrongs we have done, for our blindness to human need and suffering, and our indifference to injustice and cruelty.
All: Accept our repentance, Lord.
For all false judgements, for uncharitable thoughts towards our neighbours and for our prejudice and contempt towards those who differ from us.
All: Accept our repentance, Lord.
For our waste and pollution of your creation and our lack of concern for those who come after us.
All: Accept our repentance, Lord.
Restore us, good Lord, and let your anger depart from us.
All: Favourably hear us, for your mercy is great.
Accomplish in us the work of your salvation,
All: That we may show your glory in the world.
By the cross and passion of your Son our Lord,
All: Bring us with all your saints to the joy of his resurrection.
Silence is kept.
The Imposition of Ashes
Dear friends in Christ,
I invite you to receive these ashes
as a sign of the spirit of penitence with which
we shall keep this season of Lent.
God our Father,
you create us from the dust of the earth:
grant that these ashes may be for us
a sign of our penitence
and a symbol of our mortality;
for it is by your grace alone
that we receive eternal life
in Jesus Christ our Saviour.
All: Amen.
(The president and people receive the imposition of ashes, the president first receiving the imposition from another minister. At the imposition the minister says to each person)
Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.
Turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ.
(During the imposition music plays)
The Absolution
The Lord enrich you with his grace, and nourish you with his blessing; the Lord defend you in trouble and keep you from all evil; the Lord accept your prayers, and absolve you from your offences, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Saviour.
All: Amen.
The Peace
We stand
Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us access to his grace.
The peace of the Lord be always with you
All: and also with you.
Let us share a sign of peace with those around us.
Hymn – O For a Closer Walk With God
1 O for a closer walk with God,
a calm and heav’nly frame,
a light to shine upon the road
that leads me to the Lamb!
2 Where is the blessedness I knew
when first I sought the Lord?
Where is the soul refreshing view
of Jesus and His Word?
3 What peaceful hours I then enjoyed!
How sweet their mem’ry still!
But they have left an aching void
the world can never fill.
4 Return, O holy Dove, return,
sweet messenger of rest;
I hate the sins that made Thee mourn,
and drove Thee from my breast.
5 The dearest idol I have known,
whate’er that idol be,
help me to tear it from Thy throne
and worship only Thee.
6 So shall my walk be close with God,
calm and serene my frame;
so purer light shall mark the road
that leads me to the Lamb. (by William Cowper 1772)
Eucharistic Prayer
The Lord be with you
All: and also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
All: It is right to give him thanks and praise.
It is indeed right and good to give you thanks and praise, almighty God and everlasting Father, through Jesus Christ your Son. For in these forty days you lead us into the desert of repentance that through a pilgrimage of prayer and discipline we may grow in grace and learn to be your people once again.
Through fasting, prayer and acts of service you bring us back to your generous heart. Through study of your holy word you open our eyes to your presence in the world and free our hands to welcome others into the radiant splendour of your love. As we prepare to celebrate the Easter feast with joyful hearts and minds we bless you for your mercy and join with saints and angels for ever praising you and saying:
All: Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
We praise and bless you, loving Father, through Jesus Christ, our Lord; and as we obey his command, send your Holy Spirit, that broken bread and wine outpoured may be for us the body and blood of your dear Son.
On the night before he died he had supper with his friends and, taking bread, he praised you. He broke the bread, gave it to them and said: Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;
do this in remembrance of me.
When supper was ended he took the cup of wine. Again he praised you, gave it to them and said: Drink this, all of you;
this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.
So, Father, we remember all that Jesus did, in him we plead with confidence his sacrifice made once for all upon the cross.
Bringing before you the bread of life and cup of salvation, we proclaim his death and resurrection until he comes in glory.
Great is the mystery of faith:
All: Christ has died:
Christ is risen:
Christ will come again.
Lord of all life, help us to work together for that day when your kingdom comes and justice and mercy will be seen in all the earth. Look with favour on your people, gather us in your loving arms and bring us with all the saints to feast at your table in heaven. Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory are yours, O loving Father, for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
Silence may be kept.
The Lord’s Prayer
Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us
All: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
Agnus Dei
Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
Blessed are those called to his supper.
All Lord, I am not worthy to receive you,
but only say the word, and I shall be healed.
All are welcome to receive Holy Communion. If you do not wish to receive Holy Communion you are welcome to come for a blessing
Breaking of the Bread
We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.
All: Though we are many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world Grant us peace.
Giving of Communion
Draw near with faith,
Receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ
which he gave for you,
and his blood which he shed for you.
Eat and drink
in remembrance that he died for you,
and feed on him in your hearts
by faith with thanksgiving.
Prayer after Communion
We say Together
All: God of our pilgrimage, you have fed us with the bread of heaven. Refresh and sustain us as we go forward on our journey, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayers of Intercession
During the intercession this response is used: Lord, in your mercy
All: Hear our prayer.
In penitence and faith let us make our prayer to the Father and ask for his mercy and grace.
For your holy people,
that they may triumph over evil and grow in grace,
we pray to you, O Lord:
Lord, in your mercy
All: hear our prayer.
For candidates for baptism and confirmation,
that they may live by every word that proceeds from your mouth,
we pray to you, O Lord:
Lord, in your mercy
All: hear our prayer.
For the leaders of the nations,
that you will guide them in the ways of mercy and truth,
we pray to you, O Lord:
Lord, in your mercy
All: hear our prayer.
For the needy,
that they may not be forgotten,
nor the hope of the poor be taken away,
we pray to you, O Lord:
Lord, in your mercy
All hear our prayer.
For the sick in body, mind and spirit, that they may know your power to heal, we pray to you, 0 Lord: Lord, in your mercy
All hear our prayer.
For-the poor in spirit-that they may inherit the kingdom of heaven and see you face to face, we pray to you, O Lord: Lord, in your mercy All hear our prayer.
All: hear our prayer.
Let us commend the world, for which Christ suffered,
to the mercy and protection of God.
All: Amen.
Hymn is- Be Though Our Guardian and Our Guide
1 Be thou my guardian and my guide,
and hear me when I call;
let not my slippery footsteps slide,
and hold me lest I fall.
2 The world, the flesh, and Satan dwell
around the path I tread;
O save me from the snares of hell,
thou quickener of the dead.
3 And if I tempted am to sin,
and outward things are strong,
do thou, O Lord, keep watch within,
and save my soul from wrong.
4 Still let me ever watch and pray,
and feel that I am frail;
that if the tempter cross my way,
yet he may not prevail.(by Isaac Williams – 1802 to 1865)
The Dismissal
This is love, not that we loved God,
All: But that he loved us and sent his Son.
He is the sacrifice for our sins,
All: That we might live through him.
If God loves us so much
All: We ought to love one another.
If we love one another
All: God lives in us.
The Dismissal Gospel is proclaimed
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. Chap: 15
All: Glory to you, O Lord.
4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them – what do you do? You leave the other ninety-nine sheep in the pasture and go looking for the one that got lost until you find it.
5 When you find it, you are so happy that you put it on your shoulders
6 and carry it back home. Then you call your friends and neighbors together and say to them, “I am so happy I found my lost sheep. Let us celebrate!’
7 In the same way, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine respectable people who do not need to repent.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
All: Praise to you, O Christ.
The Blessing
Christ give you grace to grow in holiness, to deny yourselves, take up your cross, and follow him; and the blessing of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.
All: Amen.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
All: In the name of Christ. Amen.
© 7022