WORSHIP RESOURCES
Ash Wednesday
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 (A,B,C)
Return to God
Additional Scriptures
Psalm 51:1-17; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21; 2 Corinthians 5:20b—6:10
Preparation
Secure ashes in a container prior to the service. Some may prefer to use olive oil instead of ashes. Be sure to assign someone the role of placing a bit of ash on foreheads or back of hands. If the service is online, ensure each participant has access to ashes or olive oil to use as part of the service.
Prelude
Hymn of Praise
“Each Breath is Borrowed Air”
CCS 144
OR “Teach Me, God, to Wonder”
CCS 176
Welcome to Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten journey. A time of journeying inward and going deeper as we prepare to live out our lives in service to Christ’s mission. Jesus went into the wilderness for forty days before the start of his ministry. This is why the Lenten season is a forty-day period of fasting and preparation.
During Lent, disciples give special attention to their spiritual lives and discipleship. As you journey through Lent, consider those things that you will refrain from doing or purchasing as an act of commitment. Perhaps you will engage in a new spiritual practice or spend time journaling as an act of recommitment and renewal.
Prayer for Peace
Light the Peace Candle.
Prayer
Dear God, who seeks to draw near to us:
Your creation groans under the weight of calamity, greed, selfishness, wars, and conflicts. Your children have been quick to turn away from your way, the way toward peace and salvation. Bless us that your spirit may draw near to all people, gently leading us to a new way of being in relationship with each other and with you, O God.
As we walk this Lenten journey of fasting and inward looking, may we sense your spirit leading us, changing our hearts, and transforming us toward peace. May your spirit rest on all creation and may we return to you in this season of Lent. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Sermon on the Mount: Lessons for the Journey
Consider using the same Scripture Reader for all the lessons or ask a different person to read each lesson.
Today we will go through a series of scripture lessons, songs, and testimonies to prepare for the Imposition of Ashes. As you experience these things, consider: Where do you find yourself on the path of the disciple?
Lesson 1: Concerning Almsgiving
Matthew 6:1-4
Testimony
Ask someone to share what blessings oblation ministry has provided in their life or for others. Maintain confidentiality.
Lesson 2: Concerning Prayer
Matthew 6:5-6
Song of Prayer
“Eternal Spirit of the Living Christ”
CCS 182
OR “Breathe on Me, Breath of God”
CCS 190
Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.
Lesson 3: Concerning Fasting
Matthew 6:16-18
Testimony
Ask someone to share about a time when they were blessed through fasting. Encourage an example of fasting that goes beyond not eating.
Ministry of Music OR Congregational Hymn of Contemplation
“I Will Talk to My Heart”
CCS 168
OR “I Sought the Lord”
CCS 175
OR “In the Quiet of This Day"
CCS 161
Lesson 4: Disciples’ Generous Response
Matthew 5:19-20
Statement
During this time of Disciples’ Generous Response, we focus on aligning our heart with God’s heart. Our offerings are more than meeting budgets or funding mission. We can tangibly express our gratitude to God through our offerings, who is the giver of all.
Almsgiving to the poor and those in need has traditionally been a part of the Lenten fast. As you consider the next steps in your Lenten journey, consider the ways that you can reflect God’s generosity more fully by being generous with your resources this season.
As we share our mission tithes either by placing money in the plates or through eTithing, use this time to thank God for the many gifts received in life. Our hearts grow aligned with God’s when we gratefully receive and faithfully respond by living Christ’s mission.
If your congregation is meeting online, remind participants they can give through CofChrist.org/give or through eTithing.org (consider showing these URLs on screen).
Blessing and Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes
Final Lesson: Return to God
Joel 2:12-13
Hymn of Returning
“The Weight of Past and Fruitless Guilt"
CCS 214
OR “Come to Me, O Weary Traveler"
CCS 230
Joel 2:15-17
Imposition of Ashes
In person: For the Imposition of Ashes, a minister stands at the front of the congregation as participants line up to receive the ashes. In some traditions, people kneel as the ashes are imposed, but tailor the experience to your own tradition.
Online: For the Imposition of Ashes, invite participants to place ashes on their own forehead or hand at the appropriate time.
As each participant comes forward, the minister makes one of these statements or one they have developed, before imposing the ashes/oil on their forehead or the back of their hand. Soft music is played during this movement.
“You are dust, and to dust you shall return.” (Genesis 3:19)
OR “Enter into the Lenten journey. Be blessed.”
Participants return to their seats after they receive the ashes.
Moments of Silent Reflection
After everyone has received ashes and returned to their seats, spend a significant amount of time in silence (at least five minutes).
Hymn for the Journey
“Take the Path of the Disciple”
CCS 558
OR “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me”
CCS 553
OR “Precious Lord, Take My Hand”
CCS 554
Congregational Unison Sending Forth
Project or print for all to see and participate.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and sustain in me a willing spirit.
—Psalm 51:1-3, 10-12
Postlude
SERMON AND CLASS HELPS
Years A, B, C—Old Testament
Ash Wednesday
Joel 2:1–2, 12–17
Exploring the Scripture
The scripture reading for Ash Wednesday begins by sounding an alarm. A terrible catastrophe is on the nation, and the people tremble in darkness. God’s day of judgment has come.
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. We reflect on the broken nature of the world and the need for repentance as we prepare for Easter. This season of inner assessment begins with the priests sounding the shofar, or ram’s horn, in warning.
Joel was a prophet during the time of the Persian Empire. The first chapter tells us a swarm of locusts destroyed the crops and livelihood of Israel. Like an invading army with lion’s teeth, the locusts stripped vineyards, grain fields, and pastures in a few days. The swarm left behind hunger and death for humans and animals alike. Joel sees the plague as God’s judgment on the nation, and he calls the people to repent.
Although based on a specific catastrophe, Joel’s reference in 2:1 to the coming day of the Lord looks beyond the current crisis to the future day of judgment. The people of his era glorified the “day of the Lord” as a time when God would overthrow Israel’s enemies and restore the nation to glory. They eagerly awaited the day of the Lord as a time of restoration.
Here Joel warns the day of the Lord comes like a plague of locusts. Yes, it destroys the enemies of God. But when Israel allows injustice and poverty to flourish, Israel itself has become God’s enemy. Therefore, Joel’s prophecy of the coming day of the Lord calls for repentance and grief for the many sins of the people.
In verse 12, the description of God’s judgment takes an unexpected turn. “Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart.” God is merciful and will forgive. God is slow to anger, generous in love, and slow to punish (v. 13). Joel calls the people to fast and pray. He tells them to show God their grief and sorrow. It was usual to tear one’s garments and heap ashes on one’s head in grief and repentance. But Joel also warns against empty ritual: “rend your hearts and not your clothing” (v. 13). The repentance God wishes is deep within the heart and leads to a positive change of behavior.
Joel calls aged people, children, and infants to sanctify themselves and become once more God’s holy people. He calls the bridegroom and bride to pray and repent. The priests weep and petition God to spare the people. God’s saving act is presented as both a blessing to the people and a way to save God’s reputation among the Gentile nations that mock the troubles of the Israelites.
Ash Wednesday is an occasion for Christians to gather in fasting, repentance, and prayer. In some denominations, the minister or priest marks the foreheads of worshipers with ashes to symbolize their willingness to repent. Marking people with ashes is not a tradition of Community of Christ. However, ashes can be a meaningful symbol for sin and repentance, making Ash Wednesday a good day to reflect on our separation from God and make amends. At the heart of this Christian celebration is turning toward God in full devotion.
Central Ideas
- Although God hates injustice and sin, God is merciful and slow to anger.
- True repentance occurs deep within a person’s being and goes beyond ritual and symbol.
- It is not just individuals who are called to repentance, but the community of all people, of all ages and orientations.
Questions for the Speaker
- What are some ways to show God a sincere spirit of repentance?
- How does your congregation celebrate Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent? What might strengthen that celebration and help the people understand its significance?
- God is slow to anger. What does that mean in our world today, where different judgments are being passed on various peoples and cultures around the world?
SACRED SPACE: A RESOURCE FOR SMALL-GROUP MINISTRY
Year B
Focus: Ash Wednesday
Scripture: Joel 2:1–2 NRSV
Gathering
Welcome
The Lenten season begins with Ash Wednesday, an ancient holy day in the Christian calendar. In scripture, ashes signify grief, sin, and human mortality as well as joy, forgiveness, and victory over death. Christians often wear a cross-shaped smudge of ashes on their foreheads on the first day of Lent as a symbol of repentance. The ashes are traditionally created by burning the palm branches that were used in Palm Sunday celebrations the previous year.
Prayer for Peace
Ring a bell or chime three times slowly.
Light the peace candle.
Creator of All,
Awaken us to the awareness of our struggle for peace. Lead us as we seek the clarity in these forty days.
We pray for peace for the world today, particularly for those who have been hurt by our apprehensions. We pray for those who live sacrificially so that others may know compassion.
We pray
for a just peace in and among nations.
for professionals who help others stand in the light.
for the church in every place.
for the concerns and cares of our lives.
Amen.
Spiritual Practice
Silent Personal Reflection
Read the following to the group.
In the 21st century our worldview has changed dramatically. Modern knowledge, technology, and human systems shape almost every aspect of life globally. Wealth, health, peace, and prosperity are not the result of God’s favor or supernatural forces. Rather, they are created by individual and collective human action. They are shaped by global relationships and human systems. Poverty, disease, violence, and environmental degradation are not the result of chance, disfavor, or “acts of God.” They are influenced and shaped by human systems, actions, and decisions. Therefore, we can do something about them.
Jesus invites us to “follow him,” and face the problems and problemed-people of this world. Today, it means the same as it did in his time. It means examining ourselves. It means changing our heart, bearing our cross, symbolically turning our face to Jerusalem, and confronting the powers that be. Doctrine and Covenants 163:3b challenges us to “courageously challenge cultural, political, and religious trends that are contrary to the reconciling and restoring purposes of God.”
Doctrine and Covenants 163:11a summarizes the call. Prayerfully consider the words of this scripture in silent reflection. We will allow one minute for silent reflection following the reading.
God is calling for a prophetic community to emerge, drawn from the nations of the world, that is characterized by uncommon devotion to the compassion and peace of God revealed in Jesus Christ. …
End the reflection time by sounding a chime or bell.
Sharing Around the Table
Joel 2:1–2 NRSV
Blow the trumpet in Zion;
sound the alarm on my holy mountain!
Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble,
for the day of the Lord is coming, it is near—
a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and thick darkness!
Like blackness spread upon the mountains
a great and powerful army comes;
their like has never been from of old,
nor will be again after them
in ages to come.
Joel was a prophet during the time of the Persian Empire. People of his era glorified the “day of the Lord” as a time when God would overthrow Israel’s enemies and restore the nation to glory. They eagerly awaited the day of the Lord as a time of restoration.
Here Joel warns that the day of the Lord comes like a plague of locusts. Yes, it destroys the enemies of God. But when Israel allows injustice and poverty to flourish, Israel too becomes God’s enemy. Therefore, Joel’s prophecy of the coming day of the Lord warns the people and calls them to repentance.
Joel calls the people to fast and pray. He tells them to show God their grief and sorrow. It was usual to tear one’s garments and heap ashes on one’s head in grief and repentance. But Joel warns against empty ritual: “rend your hearts and not your clothing.” The repentance for which God yearns is deep within the heart and leads to a positive change of behavior. Joel calls aged people, children, and infants to sanctify themselves and become God’s holy people once more.
Ash Wednesday is an occasion for Christians to gather in fasting, repentance, and prayer. In some denominations, the minister or priest marks the foreheads of worshipers with ashes to symbolize their willingness to repent. Ash Wednesday is a good day to reflect on our separation from God and make amends. At the heart of this Christian celebration is repentance and turning toward God in full devotion.
Questions
- In what ways have you felt separated from God?
- Repentance is to turn and go a new way. When have you felt the Spirit calling you to turn and go a new way?
- As you prepare for Lent, what does it mean to rend your heart, not just your clothes?
Sending
Generosity Statement
Faithful disciples respond to an increasing awareness of the abundant generosity of God by sharing according to the desires of their hearts; not by commandment or constraint.
—Doctrine and Covenants 163:9
The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing small-group ministries as part of your generous response.
The offering prayer for Lent is adapted from A Disciple’s Generous Response:
Ever Present God,
Forgive us when we are less than loving, less than hope-filled, less than you have created us to be. Your mercy and grace is always with us. May we find strength in your presence and may we respond to your love with generous spirits.
Amen.
Invitation to Next Meeting
Closing Hymn
Community of Christ Sings 450, “Lead Me, Lord”
Closing Prayer
Optional Additions Depending on Group
- Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
- Thoughts for Children
Thoughts for Children
Ash Wednesday
Materials: Little bags of ash for each participant
Say: Today is Ash Wednesday. In many faith traditions, people have ashes applied to their foreheads in the shape of a cross on this day.
Ashes symbolize humility and remind wearers they are human, mortal, and imperfect. Ashes are not just used on Ash Wednesday. They can be used for other things as well. Some gardeners spread ashes in their soil to help their plants get more nutrients and grow bigger.
Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent. During Lent, we prepare ourselves for Easter and reflect on our relationship with God. As we prepare, we learn and grow. Just as ashes can help plants grow, being humble before God can help us grow!
I am going to give you each a little bag of ashes. When you get home, find a plant and spread the ashes around it. As you spread the ashes, ask God to help you be humble and grow during the season of Lent.