February 18 – Ash Wednesday

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Welcome to Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ.
Ash Wednesday begins the Season of Lent, which is a 40-day spiritual journey to Resurrection Day.

PRELUDE        Pastorale (first movement)        J. S. Bach

*CALL TO WORSHIP        Jo Ann Moody        
One: Is not this the fast that I choose:  to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?
All:  Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and to bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
One:  Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
All:  Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am.

*HYMN    Draw Me Nearer        Hymn No.412

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION           Jo Ann Moody  
Holy One, you know the hidden depths of our hearts and are acquainted with all our ways.  You know when the face we present to the world is different from the reality inside us.  In this season of self-reflection, convict us of these ways in which our lives do not honor you.  Cleanse us so that we may lead authentic lives that reflect your love more fully.  Amen.      

*RESPONSE      Change My Heart, O God         Ivy Worship Booklet p. 33

 GOD’S WORD      Psalm 51:1-17           JoAnn Moody

 CALL TO CONFESSION and PRAYER OF CONFESSION   JoAnn Moody                                                        
One:  Holy God, Maker of all
All:  Jesus Christ, Savior of all. 
One: Holy Spirit, breath of life.
All: Have mercy on us.  Let us confess our sins
One:  Let us pray together.
All: Holy One, help us to be honest with ourselves and with you.  We want to change our ways that are destructive.  We want to be rid of the wrongs that we do and the weight of guilt we carry.  Have mercy on us as we remember and confess our sins in these moments of silence.  Purge us of all the garbage from our past.  Create in us clean hearts, O God, and fill us with a new and willing spirit.  Sustain our hearts and renew us day by day through your mercy and your grace.  Amen.

 SILENCE      

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON            Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell    
God is gracious and merciful, restoring to us the joy of salvation.  The One who created us sees our brokenness and helps put the pieces back together. God empowers us to lead new lives worthy of his calling.  Praise be to God for this priceless gift of grace!     

*RESPONSE        Near to the Heart of God   Hymn No.433         

GOD’S WORD       Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21        Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

HOMILY              Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts… debtors)

*HYMN      One Bread, One Body           Ivy Worship Booklet, p. 72

 THE IMPOSITION OF ASHES AND SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION     

 PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING 

*HYMN     I Want Jesus to Walk with Me   Hymn No.480

*BENEDICTION      Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

*POSTLUDE       Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross         arr. Raluca Bojor