Welcome.
We are so thankful that you have joined us for Ash Wednesday, which is a doorway for us into the season of Lent. We pray that this time will prompt you in this season of preparation, reflection, renewal and grace. If you have chosen to observe Ash Wednesday from home this year, we hope the liturgy below will help to guide your time.
I. Read Luke 4:1-12 & Psalm 51:1-17
II. Read the Litany of Penitance
Reader 1
Most holy and merciful Father, we confess to you, to one another, and to the whole communion of saints in heaven and on earth, that we have sinned by our own fault in thought, word, and deed; by what we have done, and by what we have left undone.
Reader 2
We have not loved you with our whole heart, and mind, and strength. We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. We have not forgiven others, as we have been forgiven.
Reader 1
Have mercy on us, Lord.
Reader 2
We have been deaf to your call to serve as Christ served us. We have not been true to the mind of Christ. We have grieved your Holy Spirit.
Reader 1
Have mercy on us, Lord.
Reader 2
We confess to you, Lord, all our past unfaithfulness: the pride, hypocrisy, and impatience of our lives.
Reader 1
We confess to you, Lord.
Reader 2
Our intemperate love of worldly goods and comforts, and our dishonesty in daily life and work.
Reader 1
We confess to you, Lord.
Reader 2
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.
Reader 1
Accept our repentance, Lord.
Reader 2
For our waste and pollution of your creation, and our lack of concern for those who come after us.
Reader 1
Accept our repentance, Lord.
Reader 2
Restore us, good Lord, and let your anger depart from us.
Reader 1
Hear us, Lord, for your mercy is great.
III. Observe a Symbol for Ashes
At this time, you may choose to mark the foreheads of those in your home with the symbol of the cross drawn in ashes. As you do so, remind each other “remember, from dust you came and to dust you shall return.”
Reader 1
Almighty God, from the dust of the earth you have created us. May these ashes be for us a sign of our mortality and penitence, and a reminder that only by your gracious gift are we given eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Reader 2
Amen.
IV. Read the Responsive Prayer
Reader 1
Accomplish in us, O God, the work of your salvation.
Reader 2
That we may show forth your glory in the world.
Reader 1
By the cross and passion of your Son, our Lord.
Reader 2
Bring us with all your saints to the joy of his resurrection. Amen.
V. Close with the Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise Him all creatures here below.
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts.
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
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