ASH WEDNESDAY, YEARs a, B, c

2018 - 14 February
2019 - 06 March
2020 - 26 February
2021 - 17 February
2022 - 02 March
2023 - 22 February
2024 - 14 February
2025 - 05 March
2026 - 18 February
2027 - 10 February
2028 - 01 March
2029 - 14 February
2030 - 06 March
2031 - 26 February
2032 - 11 February
2033 - 02 March
2034 - 22 February
2035 - 07 February
2036 - 27 February
2037 - 18 February
2038 - 10 March

Note: For explanations and suggestions on the various resources provided, see the documents 'General notes and resources' and 'Lent season' in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

FIRST DAY OF LENT

Ash Wednesday is not the first of the midweek devotions, but is the special observance of the first day of Lent. It is therefore appropriate to begin this period of fasting with the celebration of the eucharist, which is our spiritual food for the pilgrimage that leads to the foot of the cross.

LITURGY

PRELUDE
Consider omitting a musical prelude before the service. The service may begin with the gathering of the people and the entrance of the minister(s) in silence (similar to the beginning of the Good Friday liturgy).

ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE OUTLINE
The Ash Wednesday liturgy can be made quite sparse. In some ways, it is similar to the Good Friday liturgy. Below is a suggested outline for an order of service for Ash Wednesday.

1	Minister(s) enter in silence
2	Opening sentences
3	Greeting
4	Prayer of the day (collect)
5	First reading
6	Psalm
7	Second reading
8	Verse
9	Gospel
10	Hymn or song
11	Sermon
12	Imposition of ashes
13	Prayer
14	Offering (during hymn or song)
15	Preface
16	Seasonal preface
17	Holy, holy, holy
18	Lord's Prayer (prayed by pastor)
19	Come, Lord Jesus
20	Words of institution
21	Christ has died...
22	Peace
23	Lamb of God
24	Communion (in silence)
25	Dismissal
26	Prayer after communion
27	Blessing
28	Silent prayer / congregation leaves in silence

SENTENCE
See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder for suggestions on using a Sentence.

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)

OR, use one of the standard Lent Sentences in the document 'Lent season', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

OR, use one of the general Sentences in the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
The order for Confession and Absolution (Lutheran Hymnal with Supplement page 32, or the disk or print-out of Approved Worship Services) may be used instead of the usual confession and absolution at the beginning of the service. 

OR
Instead of the confession and absolution at the beginning of the service, the penitential rite for the imposition of ashes may be used after the sermon (see below under 'Imposition of ashes'). When the rite is used in this way, the whole of Lent is seen as a call to repentance, with the individual absolution on Maundy Thursday completing the action. 

If the imposition of ashes is used, the service may begin with the Sentence, the greeting and the collect, followed immediately by the readings (omitting the entrance hymn, the 'Lord, have mercy', and the 'Glory to God in the highest'). The beginning of the Ash Wednesday service is therefore very similar to the beginning of the Good Friday service.

PRAYER OF THE DAY (COLLECT)
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.

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
Antiphon:  
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love. 
(NRSV Ps 51:1a)
OR
Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

SECOND READING
2 Corinthians 5:20b - 6:10 Be reconciled to God

VERSE
Use either the Verse given in the order of service or the following verse.

Return to the Lord, your God, who is gracious and merciful, 
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. (Joel 2:13)

OR
For our sake, God made him to be sin who knew no sin,
so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 
(2 Cor 5:21 NRSV alt)

GOSPEL
Matthew 6:1-6,16-21 Giving to the poor, praying, and fasting
(Begin: 'Jesus said to his disciples: . . . ')

PRAYER AFTER THE GOSPEL
This is the gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Lord Jesus, thank you for giving up everything for us.
Make us truly repentant,
and help us to worship God in our hearts.
Amen.

IMPOSITION OF ASHES
For practical suggestions concerning the rite of the imposition of ashes, see the document 'Lent season', under 'Imposition of ashes', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

Either this rite could  be explained in the sermon or a brief explanation such as the following could be given, particularly if the rite has not been regularly used in the congregation. If it is an established custom, an explanation could still be printed in the bulletin.

'The wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ' (Rom 6:23). Since ancient times Lent has been a time of preparation for the celebration of Easter, a season of spiritual spring-cleaning. During the 40 days of Lent, Christians battled against the powers of darkness and their sinful self by the practice of fasting and self-examination, meditation and prayer. Since it was a time of repentance, they often wore sackcloth and covered themselves with ashes. 

The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. This day gets its name from the custom of marking a cross with ashes on the forehead as a sign of mortality, repentance, and faith in Christ. 

We invite you to join in repeating this ancient custom today as a mark of your acceptance of God's just sentence of death on you as a sinner and your reliance on Jesus for the gift of eternal life.

The following responses may be said by minister and congregation, or the minister may read the responses. During the final collect, the minister may make the sign of the cross over the ashes:

We are all born weak and helpless. 
All lead the same short, troubled life. 
We grow and wither as quickly as flowers; we disappear like shadows. 
In the midst of life we are in death. 
To whom can we go for help, but to you, Lord God, 
though you are rightly displeased because of our sins? 
And yet, Lord God Almighty, most holy and most merciful Saviour, 
deliver us from the bitterness of eternal death. 
You know the secrets of our hearts; 
mercifully hear us, most worthy judge eternal; 
keep us, at our last hour, in the consolation of your love. 
Amen.
Dust we are and to dust we shall return. 
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. 
May these ashes be for us a sign of our mortality and penitence, and a reminder that we receive eternal life by God's gift alone, through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Amen.

Those who desire to receive ashes may come forward. Be sure to encourage children as well as adults to participate. The minister makes the sign of the cross on the forehead of each person with ashes, saying:

EITHER
N, remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

OR
N, repent, and believe in the gospel.

OFFERING PRAYER
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.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Call to prayer
During the fast of Lent, Jesus calls us to the disciplines of prayer and repentance. Let us come before our Father and pray for the church, the world, and those in need.

The regular response, OR:
Sing: Kyrie eleison. (tunes: AT 238 / TIS 735, AT 379 / TIS 734, or AT 392 / TIS 736)

Suggested intercessions
*	for those who have plenty and those who have little, that during this time of fasting God may bring justice to the world
*	for those preparing for baptism or confirmation at Easter
*	for those burdened by guilt, that they may know the joy of reconciliation
*	for the church throughout the world, that it may be renewed through repentance
*	for special parish projects or activities during Lent

Concluding prayer
Lord, during this time of Lent, teach us how to pray, so that those for whom we pray may know your help, and that we may rely on you for all our needs. 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
Use the following responsive prayer, from Lutheran Hymnal with Supplement, page 81 (also on disk or print-out of Approved Worship Services).

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

O Lord, have mercy on me.
Heal me, for I have sinned against you.
Turn to us again, O Lord!
Have pity on your servants.
Let your goodness and love be with us,
as we put our hope in you.
Let your priests be clothed with righteousness,
and let your saints shout for joy.
Save your people, and bless your heritage;
be their shepherd, and carry them forever.
Remember your church,
which you redeemed long ago.
Peace be within its walls,
and security within its towers.
Let us pray for our absent brothers and sisters.
O Lord, our God, save your servants who trust in you.
Let us pray for God's people who are broken-hearted and oppressed.
Redeem Israel, O God, from all their troubles.
Send us help from your holy place,
and give us support from Zion.
Restore us, O God almighty.
Let your face shine upon us that we may be saved.
Rise up, O Christ, come to our help.
Deliver us for the sake of your love.
Give peace in our time, O Lord.
There is no-one who fights for us, except you, O God.

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
O God, all holy desires, all good counsels, and all right works come from you. Give your servants that peace which the world cannot give. Defend us from the fear of our enemies, and set our hearts to obey your commandments, so that we may live on earth in rest and quietness. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Saviour, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

SEASONAL PREFACE
It is indeed right and good, 
Lord God, holy Father, 
that we should at all times and in all places 
give thanks to you, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
He has taken on himself our sin, 
so that we might die to sin 
and live to righteousness. 
And so, with angels and archangels, 
and with all the company of heaven, 
we adore and praise your glorious name:

COMMUNION INVITATION
Every time we eat this bread and drink from this cup 
we proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 
(Thanks be to God.)
Come, everything is ready. 

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
For a Lent post-communion prayer, see the document 'Lent season', under 'Prayer after communion', in the 'General and seasonal' folder. Alternatively, use the second prayer of the day (as given above) at this point. It may be modified as follows.

Lord God, heavenly Father, 
you desire to be merciful 
and are always more willing to pardon than to condemn. 
Listen to the prayers of your penitent people, 
who have received your body and blood 
in this sacrament, 
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.

SEASONAL BLESSING
This seasonal blessing is used together with (ie before) the usual blessing in the order of service.

(May) Christ our crucified Saviour draw you to himself, 
so that you may find in him the assurance of sins forgiven 
and the gift of eternal life; . . . 

HYMNS AND SONGS

FOR THE READINGS
Please note:	* =	Modernised version available
	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
816	O Fount of good, for all your love G7
817	O Jesus Christ, to you may hymns be rising G7
819	Wake, 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
858	Make me a channel (see AT for guitar chords in E)
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
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 brokenness

Second reading: 2 Corinthians 5:20b - 6:10
LHS
48	Lamb of God most holy* G5
52	O sacred head, now wounded* G6
55(pt 1)	O dearest Jesus, what law hast Thou broken* G4
57(pt l)	A Lamb goes uncomplaining forth* G5
58(pt 1)	O world, see thy Life languish* G3
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
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
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 are

Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
LHS
119	Come down, O Love divine G9
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 God

APPROPRIATE HYMN OF THE DAY
The hymn 'O Lord, throughout these forty days', LHS 756, may be sung as a hymn of the day.

PSALM 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
For musical settings of Psalm 51:1-17, see Music Packages 2, 5 and 8. 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 304 

Have 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.

VISUAL

THE BLACK STUMP
Some congregations may not be ready to introduce the imposition of ashes, but here is a visual way to present the 'ashes' theme of the day. On a sand tray or sheet of corrugated iron, set up a burnt-out tree stump (or trunk or piece of it - the Christmas tree could be used if it was of suitable size) with liberal coals and ashes set around it (but not too much fine ash, as it blows around). An explanation of the importance of ashes as a sign of repentance in the Old Testament could be included in the sermon. The stump and ashes could remain on display throughout Lent.

visuals for the READINGS
Pictures or visual symbols could be displayed on banners or the overhead screen during the readings. For instance, the first reading from Joel could be accompanied by a picture like the illustration in the TEV Bible for verse 13. The first reading from Isaiah could be accompanied by a picture like the illustration in the TEV Bible for verses 6 and 7. The gospel could be accompanied by a picture like the illustration in the TEV for Matthew 6:2.

FLOWERS
Mainly violet flowers could be used and/or an arrangement of dried and burnt sticks with a bowl of ashes.

DRAMA

'MEGA DRAMA'
See a drama for the day in Mega Drama  resources (Openbook Publishers), originally included in these worship resources when they were released on disks.

dramatising the READINGS
The readings can be read by more than one person to make the dramatic meaning of the text clearer. For instance, the first reading from Joel could be read by several readers; and the first part of verse 3 in the Isaiah reading could be read by a second reader representing the people.

CHILDREN

Encourage parents to bring their children forward to receive the imposition of ashes.

OTHER POSSIBILITIES

ENROLMENT FOR BAPTISM OR CONFIRMATION
If a course preparing people for baptism or confirmation is to be conducted during Lent, the candidates may be publicly enrolled on Ash Wednesday. These rites are also appropriate on the festival of Transfiguration, the Sunday prior to Ash Wednesday.

For rites of enrolment, see the documents 'Enrolment of an adult baptismal candidate' and 'Enrolment of confirmation candidates' in the 'Rites and services' folder.