February 22 - Ash Wednesday
Welcome to St. Luke’s Lutheran Church
Today we will participate in these three acts of faith.
Reminder of our Baptism - “Child of God you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever.” This is a reminder that we are baptized, claimed by Jesus Christ as God’s child, forever.
Sacrament of Holy Communion - After the reminder of our Baptism we will then proceed to receive the bread and wine. All are invited to participate in this Holy Supper.
Imposition of Ashes - At the conclusion of our worship, as we leave in silence, those
desiring the Imposition of Ashes may use the center aisle to come forward to have the sign of the cross drawn on their foreheads with ashes along with the words, “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return” as a reminder of our humanity.
Prelude
Ted Reinke
Welcome
Leader: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit invites us into this time of reflection, prayer, song, and renewal. Come, let us worship the Lord our God.
Opening Song
“I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say” - Hymnal #611
Confession and Forgiveness
Leader: Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God, who journeys with us these forty days, and sustains us with the gift of grace.
All: Amen.
Leader: Let us acknowledge before God and one another our need for God’s mercy. First in silence and reflection. Holy God, we confess to you our faults and failings.
All: Too often we neglect and do not trust your holy word; we take for ourselves instead of giving to others; we spoil rather than steward your creation; we cause hurt though you call us to heal; we choose fear over compassion. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, as we seek to follow in your way of life. Amen.
Leader: Hear the good news: God so loved the world that God gave the only Son, so that all may receive life. This promise is for you! God embraces you with divine mercy, + forgives you in Christ’s name, and revives you in the Spirit’s power.
All: Alleluia, amen!
Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Cong: And also with you.
Song
“Be Thou My Vision” - Hymnal #793
Prayer of the Day
Leader: Gracious God, out of your love and mercy you breathed into dust the breath of life, creating us to serve you and our neighbors. Call forth our prayers and acts of kindness, and strengthen us to face our mortality with confidence in the mercy of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. And all God’s children said loudly…AMEN!
Holy Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
Jesus said, “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
“And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
The Gospel of the Lord...Thanks be to God.
Meditation
Pastor Tim Maybee
Song of the Day
“Borning Cry” - Hymnal #732
The Apostles’ Creed
Words of Institution
The Lord’s Prayer
Reminder of our Baptism - “Child of God you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever.” This is a reminder that we are baptized, claimed by Jesus Christ as God’s child, forever.
Sacrament of Holy Communion - After the reminder of our Baptism we will then proceed to receive the bread and wine. All are invited to participate in this Holy Supper.
Communion Song
“Lamb of God” - Hymnal #336
Communion Blessing & Benediction
Closing Song
“How Long, O God” - Hymnal #698
Imposition of Ashes - At the conclusion of our worship, as we leave in silence, those desiring the Imposition of Ashes may use the center aisle to come forward to have the sign of the cross drawn on their foreheads with ashes along with the words, “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return” as a reminder of our humanity.