Ash Wednesday Mini-Retreat

ASH WEDNESDAY ORDER OF PRAYER

Centering Yourself in God:
I belong to you, O God; I belong to you;
I belong; I belong; I belong. I belong to you. Amen.
Silence
Reading: John 3:16-17
Prayer:

O God the Father, creator of heaven and earth—
Have mercy on me.
O God the Son, redeemer of the world—
Have mercy on me.
O God the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide—
Have mercy on me.
Holy, blessed and glorious Trinity—
three persons and one God—
Have mercy on me.
Loving God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: I confess that I have gone astray from your ways and I humbly ask for your mercy. Bring me again with a penitent heart and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son. I acknowledge my need for repentance and my need for the love and forgiveness shown to me in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Self-examination:
• In what specific areas of my life have I failed to invite God?
• In what things do I need to “die” so that I might really live?
• Am I sharing time, talents, and treasure in the church?
• Listen for God’s voice. Not a voice of accusation, but of voice welcoming you home. Listen for the Savior’s kind voice through the Holy Spirit, assuring you, “Do not be afraid; I am with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you; I will never let you down, and never let you go!”

Confession and Assurance of Pardon:
• Psalm 51
• Silence
• And then read this psalm of thanksgiving, celebrating the good news of God’s steadfast love: Psalm 103

Prayer in your own words… and then, go in the peace of Christ!

BACKGROUND: For all the years I've been at First Presbyterian Lake Crystal we've observed Ash Wednesday with some sort of Service of Ashes, even though my first year here it was almost completely new to most of the congregation. (Or, thought of as something "only Catholics did" to begin Lent.) But attendance hasn't been... Well, let me preface that thought: I'm not one to stop doing a good thing just because only a few attend or find it meaningful. I'm a great believer in the idea, "where two or three are gathered..." That said, I just really felt this was a good year to give the "new tradition" a rest. I don't know, just to see if anyone misses it. I know I will. And I've already heard from my son, Luke, who--come to think of it--has participated in the service of ashes for about half his life. Luke will miss it, too. Maybe we'll do it at home. But anyway, this service of prayer was designed to encourage members of the church to observe Ash Wednesday with a discipline of personal prayer. The inspiration comes from "An Order of Worship for Ash Wednesday" written by John Paarlberg, pastor of First Church in Albany, New York. The written prayer is a direct quote from his service. The rest of the stuff is mostly written by me.

Blessings as you begin your Lenten journey.

Peace Love & Coffee....... Randy