Ash Wednesday Service
A service of worship with St. John’s Anglican Church and Wolfville Baptist Church
7pm, March 5th, 2025
All hymn numbers refer to the blue Common Praise hymnal.
7pm, March 5th, 2025
All hymn numbers refer to the blue Common Praise hymnal.
The Gathering of the Community
Gathering Music: #360, Bless the Lord, My Soul
Bless the Lord, my soul,
and bless God's holy name.
Bless the Lord, my soul,
who leads me into life.
Introduction & Opening Prayer:
Almighty and holy God, your Son, in obedience to the Spirit, fasted forty days in the desert: give us
grace to discipline ourselves, so that we may press on towards Easter with eager faith and love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
for ever. Amen.
Hymn: Come and Find the Quiet Center
Come and find the quiet center in the crowded life we lead,
find the room for hope to enter, find the frame where we are freed:
Clear the chaos and the clutter, clear our lives that we can see
all the things that really matter, be at peace and simply be.
Silence is a friend who claims us, cools the heat and slows the pace,
God it is who speaks and names us, knows our being, touches base,
making space within our thinking, lifting shades to show the sun,
raising courage when we're shrinking, finding scope for faith begun.
In the Spirit let us travel, open to each other's pain,
let our loves and fears unravel, celebrate the space we gain:
There's a place for deepest dreaming, there's a time for heart to care,
in the Spirit's living scheming there is always room to spare.
The Proclamation of the Word
Psalm 103:8-18, read responsively
You, O God, are full of compassion and mercy,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
You will not always accuse us,
nor will you keep your anger for ever.
You have not dealt with us according to our sins,
nor rewarded us according to our wickedness.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so is your mercy great upon those who fear you.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far have you removed our sins from us.
As parents care for their children,
so do you, O Lord, care for those who fear you.
For you yourself know whereof we are made;
you remember that we are but dust.
Our days are like the grass;
we flourish like a flower of the field;
when the wind goes over it, it is gone,
and its place shall know it no more.
But your merciful goodness endures for ever on those who fear you,
and your righteousness on children’s children;
on those who keep the covenant
and remember the commandments and do them.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
As it was in the beginning, is now and will be for ever. Amen.
First Reading: Isaiah 58:1-12
At the conclusion of the passage, the reader says,
The word of the Lord.
All respond: Thanks be to God.
Hymn: #553, Ubi Caritas et Amor
Ubi caritas et amor
Ubi caritas, Deus ibi est.
Live in charity and steadfast love,
Live in charity; God will dwell with you.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
All stand, as they are able.
Reader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Reader: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
People: Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
At the conclusion of the Gospel, the reader says,
The Gospel of Christ.
People: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflection: the Rev. Nicole Uzans
The Litany of Ashes
The Receiving of Ashes
Blessed are you, God of all creation.
You are eternal, we are mortal,
formed from the dust of the earth.
As we receive these ashes, make them a sign for us
of repentance and returning to you.
Breathe into us again the breath of life.
Blessed be God for ever.
Come, receive the sign of ashes.
The ashes are placed on each person’s forehead with the words,
Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.
Music during the imposition of ashes
Litany
Eternal God, maker of heaven and earth,
have mercy on us.
Incarnate Word, redeemer of the world,
have mercy on us.
Abiding Spirit, giver of light and life,
have mercy on us.
For turning away from your presence,
for disobeying your word and commandments,
forgive us, Lord.
For trusting in our own strength instead of yours,
for betraying your trust and the trust of others,
forgive us, Lord.
For resisting your grace and refusing your blessings,
for holding back from proclaiming our faith in you,
forgive us, Lord.
For damaging this earth and exploiting its creatures,
for neglecting and wasting the gifts you have given us,
forgive us, Lord.
For failing to forgive as we have been forgiven.
for judging others and bearing grudges,
forgive us, Lord.
For skimping on our commitments and relationships,
for failing in hospitality,
forgive us, Lord.
For tolerating oppression, injustice, and wrong,
for keeping silent when we should have spoken up,
forgive us, Lord.
For turning away when others have offered us love,
for closing our hearts when others have needed compassion,
forgive us, Lord.
For all we have done unkindly, unjustly and dishonestly,
for our careless speech and hurtful words,
forgive us, Lord.
God of all mercy,
we confess that we have sinned against you, opposing your will in our lives. We have denied your
goodness in each other, in ourselves, and in the world you have created. We repent of the evil that
enslaves us, the evil we have done, and the evil done on our behalf. Forgive us, restore us, and
strengthen us through our Saviour Jesus Christ, so that we may abide in your love and serve only
your will. Amen.
With our hearts turned to God in repentance, with the knowledge of our sins laid bare before the
cross of Jesus Christ, in the name of the living God, your sins are forgiven.
Receive God’s mercy, take hold of your forgiveness, and,
in the power of the Holy Spirit, walk in the light of Christ.
The Greeting of Peace
All stand. The Greeting is introduced with these words:
Christ has reconciled us to God in one body by the cross.
We meet in his name and share his peace.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
All may exchange a greeting of peace.
Hymn: #549 Our Darkness is Never Darkness
Our darkness is never darkness in your sight;
The deepest night is clear as the daylight.
La ténèbre n'est point ténèbre devant toi :
La nuit comme la jour est lumière.
The Celebration of the Eucharist
The Prayer Over the Gifts
God our provider, you have not fed us with bread alone, but with words of grace and life. Bless us
and these your gifts, which we receive from your bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Eucharistic Prayer
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to God our Creator.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
O God, eternal Wisdom, all you have made is beautiful and good. We thank you for darkness and light,
for this earth and for our bodies, for growth and change and all that lies beyond our knowledge and
imagination.
In every generation you befriend your people. You gave us your holy Law, sent the prophets, and called
us back to the truth whenever we turned away. You were vindicated in your servant Jesus who came
with forgiveness, feasting, and stories of your grace.
Though we rejected him, death on a cross could not quench the fire of his love. You raised him up for
us, the firstborn from the dead, to build a new community of hope where all are honoured as Christ’s
equal friends.
And so we praise you with Mary, mother of the living Word, and with all your faithful friends, as we join
the angels’ song:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, Lord God of Hosts,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory;
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name,
who comes in the name of the Lord;
Hosanna in the highest. (Kilcreggan Mass by Peter Nardone)
God of the feast, your household is hungry for the bread of heaven and the cup of life. Send your Spirit
on us and on our celebration, so that we may eat at this table and be satisfied with the sacrament of
Christ’s body and blood.
On the night before he died, Jesus shared a meal with the people he loved. He took the bread, gave you
thanks, broke it to share with them, and said: “Take and eat this: it is my body.”
Then he took a cup of wine. Again he thanked you and told them: “Drink this, all of you: it is my blood,
shed for you and for many so that sins may be forgiven. Whenever you do this, do it in memory of me.”
So we delight to remember Jesus: the faithfulness of his life, the victory of his cross, the glory of his
resurrection, the joy of the Holy Spirit poured out for the Church. We proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
O God, holy Wisdom, merciful and generous, accept our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Make us
good stewards of creation, with justice in our hearts, courage in our actions and power in our speech to
bear witness to the truth.
Protect us with your glory, unite your church in loyalty and love, and bring us home with all your saints
to feast with you for ever. Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, and in the Spirit’s grace, with heart and
soul and mind and strength we love and worship you alone, O God, for ever and ever.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as
it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who
trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread
We break this bread,
Communion in Christ’s body once broken.
Let your Church be the wheat which bears its fruit in dying.
If we have died with him, we shall live with him;
if we hold firm, we shall reign with him.
The gifts of God for the People of God.
Thanks be to God.
All are welcome to receive holy communion or a blessing. Please remain in your pews and servers will come to you.
Gluten-free bread is available. Communion bread and wine are offered today. You may receive communion in one
kind (bread only) or partake of the wine also by drinking from the common cup, touching the base of the cup, or
reverencing the cup with a small bow.
Jesus, Lamb of God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, bearer of our sins, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Redeemer of the world, give us your peace. (Kilcreggan Mass by Peter Nardone)
Music during Communion:
#610, Before I Take the Body of My Lord
Before I take the body of my Lord,
before I share his life in bread and wine,
I recognise the sorry tings within -
These I lay down.
The words of hope I often failed to give,
the prayers of kindness buried by my pride,
the signs of care I argued out of sight -
These I lay down.
The narrowness of vision and of mind,
the need for other folk to serve my will,
and every word and silence meant to hurt -
These I lay down.
Of those around in whom I meet my Lord,
I ask them pardon and I grant them mine
that every contradiction to Christ's peace
might be laid down.
Lord Jesus Christ, companion at this feast,
I empty now my heart and stretch my hands,
and ask to meet you here in bread and wine -
which you lay down.
#634, Jesus, Remember Me
Jesus, remember me, when you come into your kingdom.
Jesus, remember me, when you come into your kingdom.
Prayer after Communion
God of life and death, from the fullness of yourself you have created all that is; through the power of
your love you call us towards you; in the giving of your Son our salvation has been wrought. Our
flowering and our passing, all the seasons of the vine, belong to you. Bless us now and in all our days,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Go in the peace of Christ.
Thanks be to God.
Postlude
Gathering Music: #360, Bless the Lord, My Soul
Bless the Lord, my soul,
and bless God's holy name.
Bless the Lord, my soul,
who leads me into life.
Introduction & Opening Prayer:
Almighty and holy God, your Son, in obedience to the Spirit, fasted forty days in the desert: give us
grace to discipline ourselves, so that we may press on towards Easter with eager faith and love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
for ever. Amen.
Hymn: Come and Find the Quiet Center
Come and find the quiet center in the crowded life we lead,
find the room for hope to enter, find the frame where we are freed:
Clear the chaos and the clutter, clear our lives that we can see
all the things that really matter, be at peace and simply be.
Silence is a friend who claims us, cools the heat and slows the pace,
God it is who speaks and names us, knows our being, touches base,
making space within our thinking, lifting shades to show the sun,
raising courage when we're shrinking, finding scope for faith begun.
In the Spirit let us travel, open to each other's pain,
let our loves and fears unravel, celebrate the space we gain:
There's a place for deepest dreaming, there's a time for heart to care,
in the Spirit's living scheming there is always room to spare.
The Proclamation of the Word
Psalm 103:8-18, read responsively
You, O God, are full of compassion and mercy,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
You will not always accuse us,
nor will you keep your anger for ever.
You have not dealt with us according to our sins,
nor rewarded us according to our wickedness.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so is your mercy great upon those who fear you.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far have you removed our sins from us.
As parents care for their children,
so do you, O Lord, care for those who fear you.
For you yourself know whereof we are made;
you remember that we are but dust.
Our days are like the grass;
we flourish like a flower of the field;
when the wind goes over it, it is gone,
and its place shall know it no more.
But your merciful goodness endures for ever on those who fear you,
and your righteousness on children’s children;
on those who keep the covenant
and remember the commandments and do them.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
As it was in the beginning, is now and will be for ever. Amen.
First Reading: Isaiah 58:1-12
At the conclusion of the passage, the reader says,
The word of the Lord.
All respond: Thanks be to God.
Hymn: #553, Ubi Caritas et Amor
Ubi caritas et amor
Ubi caritas, Deus ibi est.
Live in charity and steadfast love,
Live in charity; God will dwell with you.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
All stand, as they are able.
Reader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Reader: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
People: Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
At the conclusion of the Gospel, the reader says,
The Gospel of Christ.
People: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflection: the Rev. Nicole Uzans
The Litany of Ashes
The Receiving of Ashes
Blessed are you, God of all creation.
You are eternal, we are mortal,
formed from the dust of the earth.
As we receive these ashes, make them a sign for us
of repentance and returning to you.
Breathe into us again the breath of life.
Blessed be God for ever.
Come, receive the sign of ashes.
The ashes are placed on each person’s forehead with the words,
Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.
Music during the imposition of ashes
Litany
Eternal God, maker of heaven and earth,
have mercy on us.
Incarnate Word, redeemer of the world,
have mercy on us.
Abiding Spirit, giver of light and life,
have mercy on us.
For turning away from your presence,
for disobeying your word and commandments,
forgive us, Lord.
For trusting in our own strength instead of yours,
for betraying your trust and the trust of others,
forgive us, Lord.
For resisting your grace and refusing your blessings,
for holding back from proclaiming our faith in you,
forgive us, Lord.
For damaging this earth and exploiting its creatures,
for neglecting and wasting the gifts you have given us,
forgive us, Lord.
For failing to forgive as we have been forgiven.
for judging others and bearing grudges,
forgive us, Lord.
For skimping on our commitments and relationships,
for failing in hospitality,
forgive us, Lord.
For tolerating oppression, injustice, and wrong,
for keeping silent when we should have spoken up,
forgive us, Lord.
For turning away when others have offered us love,
for closing our hearts when others have needed compassion,
forgive us, Lord.
For all we have done unkindly, unjustly and dishonestly,
for our careless speech and hurtful words,
forgive us, Lord.
God of all mercy,
we confess that we have sinned against you, opposing your will in our lives. We have denied your
goodness in each other, in ourselves, and in the world you have created. We repent of the evil that
enslaves us, the evil we have done, and the evil done on our behalf. Forgive us, restore us, and
strengthen us through our Saviour Jesus Christ, so that we may abide in your love and serve only
your will. Amen.
With our hearts turned to God in repentance, with the knowledge of our sins laid bare before the
cross of Jesus Christ, in the name of the living God, your sins are forgiven.
Receive God’s mercy, take hold of your forgiveness, and,
in the power of the Holy Spirit, walk in the light of Christ.
The Greeting of Peace
All stand. The Greeting is introduced with these words:
Christ has reconciled us to God in one body by the cross.
We meet in his name and share his peace.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
All may exchange a greeting of peace.
Hymn: #549 Our Darkness is Never Darkness
Our darkness is never darkness in your sight;
The deepest night is clear as the daylight.
La ténèbre n'est point ténèbre devant toi :
La nuit comme la jour est lumière.
The Celebration of the Eucharist
The Prayer Over the Gifts
God our provider, you have not fed us with bread alone, but with words of grace and life. Bless us
and these your gifts, which we receive from your bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Eucharistic Prayer
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to God our Creator.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
O God, eternal Wisdom, all you have made is beautiful and good. We thank you for darkness and light,
for this earth and for our bodies, for growth and change and all that lies beyond our knowledge and
imagination.
In every generation you befriend your people. You gave us your holy Law, sent the prophets, and called
us back to the truth whenever we turned away. You were vindicated in your servant Jesus who came
with forgiveness, feasting, and stories of your grace.
Though we rejected him, death on a cross could not quench the fire of his love. You raised him up for
us, the firstborn from the dead, to build a new community of hope where all are honoured as Christ’s
equal friends.
And so we praise you with Mary, mother of the living Word, and with all your faithful friends, as we join
the angels’ song:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, Lord God of Hosts,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory;
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name,
who comes in the name of the Lord;
Hosanna in the highest. (Kilcreggan Mass by Peter Nardone)
God of the feast, your household is hungry for the bread of heaven and the cup of life. Send your Spirit
on us and on our celebration, so that we may eat at this table and be satisfied with the sacrament of
Christ’s body and blood.
On the night before he died, Jesus shared a meal with the people he loved. He took the bread, gave you
thanks, broke it to share with them, and said: “Take and eat this: it is my body.”
Then he took a cup of wine. Again he thanked you and told them: “Drink this, all of you: it is my blood,
shed for you and for many so that sins may be forgiven. Whenever you do this, do it in memory of me.”
So we delight to remember Jesus: the faithfulness of his life, the victory of his cross, the glory of his
resurrection, the joy of the Holy Spirit poured out for the Church. We proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
O God, holy Wisdom, merciful and generous, accept our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Make us
good stewards of creation, with justice in our hearts, courage in our actions and power in our speech to
bear witness to the truth.
Protect us with your glory, unite your church in loyalty and love, and bring us home with all your saints
to feast with you for ever. Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, and in the Spirit’s grace, with heart and
soul and mind and strength we love and worship you alone, O God, for ever and ever.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as
it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who
trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread
We break this bread,
Communion in Christ’s body once broken.
Let your Church be the wheat which bears its fruit in dying.
If we have died with him, we shall live with him;
if we hold firm, we shall reign with him.
The gifts of God for the People of God.
Thanks be to God.
All are welcome to receive holy communion or a blessing. Please remain in your pews and servers will come to you.
Gluten-free bread is available. Communion bread and wine are offered today. You may receive communion in one
kind (bread only) or partake of the wine also by drinking from the common cup, touching the base of the cup, or
reverencing the cup with a small bow.
Jesus, Lamb of God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, bearer of our sins, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Redeemer of the world, give us your peace. (Kilcreggan Mass by Peter Nardone)
Music during Communion:
#610, Before I Take the Body of My Lord
Before I take the body of my Lord,
before I share his life in bread and wine,
I recognise the sorry tings within -
These I lay down.
The words of hope I often failed to give,
the prayers of kindness buried by my pride,
the signs of care I argued out of sight -
These I lay down.
The narrowness of vision and of mind,
the need for other folk to serve my will,
and every word and silence meant to hurt -
These I lay down.
Of those around in whom I meet my Lord,
I ask them pardon and I grant them mine
that every contradiction to Christ's peace
might be laid down.
Lord Jesus Christ, companion at this feast,
I empty now my heart and stretch my hands,
and ask to meet you here in bread and wine -
which you lay down.
#634, Jesus, Remember Me
Jesus, remember me, when you come into your kingdom.
Jesus, remember me, when you come into your kingdom.
Prayer after Communion
God of life and death, from the fullness of yourself you have created all that is; through the power of
your love you call us towards you; in the giving of your Son our salvation has been wrought. Our
flowering and our passing, all the seasons of the vine, belong to you. Bless us now and in all our days,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Go in the peace of Christ.
Thanks be to God.
Postlude
The Gathering of the Community
Gathering Music:
#360, Bless the Lord, My Soul
Bless the Lord, my soul,
and bless God's holy name.
Bless the Lord, my soul,
who leads me into life.
Introduction & Opening Prayer:
Almighty and holy God, your Son, in obedience to the Spirit, fasted forty days in the desert: give us grace to discipline ourselves, so that we may press on towards Easter with eager faith and love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Hymn:
Come and Find the Quiet Center
Come and find the quiet center
in the crowded life we lead,
find the room for hope to enter,
find the frame where we are freed:
Clear the chaos and the clutter,
clear our lives that we can see
all the things that really matter,
be at peace and simply be.
Silence is a friend who claims us,
cools the heat and slows the pace,
God it is who speaks and names us,
knows our being, touches base,
making space within our thinking,
lifting shades to show the sun,
raising courage when we're shrinking,
finding scope for faith begun.
In the Spirit let us travel,
open to each other's pain,
let our loves and fears unravel,
celebrate the space we gain:
There's a place for deepest dreaming,
there's a time for heart to care,
in the Spirit's living scheming
there is always room to spare.
The Proclamation of the Word
Psalm 103:8-18,
read responsively
You, O God, are full of compassion and mercy,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
You will not always accuse us,
nor will you keep your anger for ever.
You have not dealt with us according to our sins,
nor rewarded us according to our wickedness.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so is your mercy great upon those who fear you.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far have you removed our sins from us.
As parents care for their children,
so do you, O Lord, care for those who fear you.
For you yourself know whereof we are made;
you remember that we are but dust.
Our days are like the grass;
we flourish like a flower of the field;
when the wind goes over it, it is gone,
and its place shall know it no more.
But your merciful goodness endures for ever on those who fear you,
and your righteousness on children’s children;
on those who keep the covenant
and remember the commandments and do them.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
As it was in the beginning, is now and will be for ever. Amen.
First Reading:
Isaiah 58:1-12
At the conclusion of the passage, the reader says,
The word of the Lord.
All respond:
Thanks be to God.
Hymn:
#553, Ubi Caritas et Amor
Ubi caritas et amor
Ubi caritas, Deus ibi est.
Live in charity and steadfast love,
Live in charity; God will dwell with you.
Gospel Reading:
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
All stand, as they are able.
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
At the conclusion of the Gospel, the reader says,
The Gospel of Christ.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflection: the Rev. Nicole Uzans
The Litany of Ashes
The Receiving of Ashes
Blessed are you, God of all creation.
You are eternal, we are mortal,
formed from the dust of the earth.
As we receive these ashes, make them a sign for us
of repentance and returning to you.
Breathe into us again the breath of life.
Blessed be God for ever.
Come, receive the sign of ashes.
The ashes are placed on each person’s forehead with the words,
Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.
Music during the imposition of ashes
Litany
Eternal God, maker of heaven and earth,
have mercy on us.
Incarnate Word, redeemer of the world,
have mercy on us.
Abiding Spirit, giver of light and life,
have mercy on us.
For turning away from your presence,
for disobeying your word and commandments,
forgive us, Lord.
For trusting in our own strength instead of yours,
for betraying your trust and the trust of others,
forgive us, Lord.
For resisting your grace and refusing your blessings,
for holding back from proclaiming our faith in you,
forgive us, Lord.
For damaging this earth and exploiting its creatures,
for neglecting and wasting the gifts you have given us,
forgive us, Lord.
For failing to forgive as we have been forgiven.
for judging others and bearing grudges,
forgive us, Lord.
For skimping on our commitments and relationships,
for failing in hospitality,
forgive us, Lord.
For tolerating oppression, injustice, and wrong,
for keeping silent when we should have spoken up,
forgive us, Lord.
For turning away when others have offered us love,
for closing our hearts when others have needed compassion,
forgive us, Lord.
For all we have done unkindly, unjustly and dishonestly,
for our careless speech and hurtful words,
forgive us, Lord.
God of all mercy,
we confess that we have sinned against you, opposing your will in our lives. We have denied your goodness in each other, in ourselves, and in the world you have created. We repent of the evil that enslaves us, the evil we have done, and the evil done on our behalf. Forgive us, restore us, and strengthen us through our Saviour Jesus Christ, so that we may abide in your love and serve only your will. Amen.
With our hearts turned to God in repentance, with the knowledge of our sins laid bare before the cross of Jesus Christ, in the name of the living God, your sins are forgiven.
Receive God’s mercy, take hold of your forgiveness, and, in the power of the Holy Spirit, walk in the light of Christ.
The Greeting of Peace
All stand. The Greeting is introduced with these words:
Christ has reconciled us to God in one body by the cross.
We meet in his name and share his peace.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
All may exchange a greeting of peace.
Hymn: #549 Our Darkness is Never Darkness
Our darkness is never darkness in your sight;
The deepest night is clear as the daylight.
La ténèbre n'est point ténèbre devant toi :
La nuit comme la jour est lumière.
The Celebration of the Eucharist
The Prayer Over the Gifts
God our provider, you have not fed us with bread alone, but with words of grace and life. Bless us and these your gifts, which we receive from your bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Eucharistic Prayer
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to God our Creator.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
O God, eternal Wisdom, all you have made is beautiful and good. We thank you for darkness and light, for this earth and for our bodies, for growth and change and all that lies beyond our knowledge and imagination.
In every generation you befriend your people. You gave us your holy Law, sent the prophets, and called us back to the truth whenever we turned away. You were vindicated in your servant Jesus who came with forgiveness, feasting, and stories of your grace.
Though we rejected him, death on a cross could not quench the fire of his love. You raised him up for us, the firstborn from the dead, to build a new community of hope where all are honoured as Christ’s equal friends.
And so we praise you with Mary, mother of the living Word, and with all your faithful friends, as we join the angels’ song:
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
Lord God of Hosts,
Heaven and earth
are full of your glory;
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name,
who comes in the name of the Lord;
Hosanna in the highest.
(Kilcreggan Mass by Peter Nardone)
God of the feast, your household is hungry for the bread of heaven and the cup of life. Send your Spirit on us and on our celebration, so that we may eat at this table and be satisfied with the sacrament of Christ’s body and blood.
On the night before he died, Jesus shared a meal with the people he loved. He took the bread, gave you thanks, broke it to share with them, and said: “Take and eat this: it is my body.”
Then he took a cup of wine. Again he thanked you and told them: “Drink this, all of you: it is my blood, shed for you and for many so that sins may be forgiven. Whenever you do this, do it in memory of me.”
So we delight to remember Jesus: the faithfulness of his life, the victory of his cross, the glory of his resurrection, the joy of the Holy Spirit poured out for the Church. We proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
O God, holy Wisdom, merciful and generous, accept our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Make us good stewards of creation, with justice in our hearts, courage in our actions and power in our speech to bear witness to the truth.
Protect us with your glory, unite your church in loyalty and love, and bring us home with all your saints to feast with you for ever. Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, and in the Spirit’s grace, with heart and soul and mind and strength we love and worship you alone, O God, for ever and ever.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread
We break this bread,
Communion in Christ’s body once broken.
Let your Church be the wheat which bears its fruit in dying.
If we have died with him, we shall live with him;
if we hold firm, we shall reign with him.
The gifts of God for the People of God.
Thanks be to God.
All are welcome to receive holy communion or a blessing.
Please remain in your pews and servers will come to you.
Gluten-free bread is available.
Communion bread and wine are offered today.
You may receive communion in one kind (bread only)
or partake of the wine also by drinking from the common cup,
touching the base of the cup, or reverencing the cup with a small bow.
Jesus, Lamb of God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, bearer of our sins, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Redeemer of the world, give us your peace. (Kilcreggan Mass by Peter Nardone)
Music during Communion:
#610, Before I Take the Body of My Lord
Before I take the body of my Lord,
before I share his life in bread and wine,
I recognise the sorry tings within -
These I lay down.
The words of hope I often failed to give,
the prayers of kindness buried by my pride,
the signs of care I argued out of sight -
These I lay down.
The narrowness of vision and of mind,
the need for other folk to serve my will,
and every word and silence meant to hurt -
These I lay down.
Of those around in whom I meet my Lord,
I ask them pardon and I grant them mine
that every contradiction to Christ's peace
might be laid down.
Lord Jesus Christ, companion at this feast,
I empty now my heart and stretch my hands,
and ask to meet you here in bread and wine -
which you lay down.
#634, Jesus, Remember Me
Jesus, remember me,
when you come into your kingdom.
Jesus, remember me,
when you come into your kingdom.
Prayer after Communion
God of life and death, from the fullness of yourself you have created all that is; through the power of your love you call us towards you; in the giving of your Son our salvation has been wrought. Our flowering and our passing, all the seasons of the vine, belong to you. Bless us now and in all our days, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Go in the peace of Christ.
Thanks be to God.
Postlude
Gathering Music:
#360, Bless the Lord, My Soul
Bless the Lord, my soul,
and bless God's holy name.
Bless the Lord, my soul,
who leads me into life.
Introduction & Opening Prayer:
Almighty and holy God, your Son, in obedience to the Spirit, fasted forty days in the desert: give us grace to discipline ourselves, so that we may press on towards Easter with eager faith and love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Hymn:
Come and Find the Quiet Center
Come and find the quiet center
in the crowded life we lead,
find the room for hope to enter,
find the frame where we are freed:
Clear the chaos and the clutter,
clear our lives that we can see
all the things that really matter,
be at peace and simply be.
Silence is a friend who claims us,
cools the heat and slows the pace,
God it is who speaks and names us,
knows our being, touches base,
making space within our thinking,
lifting shades to show the sun,
raising courage when we're shrinking,
finding scope for faith begun.
In the Spirit let us travel,
open to each other's pain,
let our loves and fears unravel,
celebrate the space we gain:
There's a place for deepest dreaming,
there's a time for heart to care,
in the Spirit's living scheming
there is always room to spare.
The Proclamation of the Word
Psalm 103:8-18,
read responsively
You, O God, are full of compassion and mercy,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
You will not always accuse us,
nor will you keep your anger for ever.
You have not dealt with us according to our sins,
nor rewarded us according to our wickedness.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so is your mercy great upon those who fear you.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far have you removed our sins from us.
As parents care for their children,
so do you, O Lord, care for those who fear you.
For you yourself know whereof we are made;
you remember that we are but dust.
Our days are like the grass;
we flourish like a flower of the field;
when the wind goes over it, it is gone,
and its place shall know it no more.
But your merciful goodness endures for ever on those who fear you,
and your righteousness on children’s children;
on those who keep the covenant
and remember the commandments and do them.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
As it was in the beginning, is now and will be for ever. Amen.
First Reading:
Isaiah 58:1-12
At the conclusion of the passage, the reader says,
The word of the Lord.
All respond:
Thanks be to God.
Hymn:
#553, Ubi Caritas et Amor
Ubi caritas et amor
Ubi caritas, Deus ibi est.
Live in charity and steadfast love,
Live in charity; God will dwell with you.
Gospel Reading:
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
All stand, as they are able.
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
At the conclusion of the Gospel, the reader says,
The Gospel of Christ.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflection: the Rev. Nicole Uzans
The Litany of Ashes
The Receiving of Ashes
Blessed are you, God of all creation.
You are eternal, we are mortal,
formed from the dust of the earth.
As we receive these ashes, make them a sign for us
of repentance and returning to you.
Breathe into us again the breath of life.
Blessed be God for ever.
Come, receive the sign of ashes.
The ashes are placed on each person’s forehead with the words,
Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.
Music during the imposition of ashes
Litany
Eternal God, maker of heaven and earth,
have mercy on us.
Incarnate Word, redeemer of the world,
have mercy on us.
Abiding Spirit, giver of light and life,
have mercy on us.
For turning away from your presence,
for disobeying your word and commandments,
forgive us, Lord.
For trusting in our own strength instead of yours,
for betraying your trust and the trust of others,
forgive us, Lord.
For resisting your grace and refusing your blessings,
for holding back from proclaiming our faith in you,
forgive us, Lord.
For damaging this earth and exploiting its creatures,
for neglecting and wasting the gifts you have given us,
forgive us, Lord.
For failing to forgive as we have been forgiven.
for judging others and bearing grudges,
forgive us, Lord.
For skimping on our commitments and relationships,
for failing in hospitality,
forgive us, Lord.
For tolerating oppression, injustice, and wrong,
for keeping silent when we should have spoken up,
forgive us, Lord.
For turning away when others have offered us love,
for closing our hearts when others have needed compassion,
forgive us, Lord.
For all we have done unkindly, unjustly and dishonestly,
for our careless speech and hurtful words,
forgive us, Lord.
God of all mercy,
we confess that we have sinned against you, opposing your will in our lives. We have denied your goodness in each other, in ourselves, and in the world you have created. We repent of the evil that enslaves us, the evil we have done, and the evil done on our behalf. Forgive us, restore us, and strengthen us through our Saviour Jesus Christ, so that we may abide in your love and serve only your will. Amen.
With our hearts turned to God in repentance, with the knowledge of our sins laid bare before the cross of Jesus Christ, in the name of the living God, your sins are forgiven.
Receive God’s mercy, take hold of your forgiveness, and, in the power of the Holy Spirit, walk in the light of Christ.
The Greeting of Peace
All stand. The Greeting is introduced with these words:
Christ has reconciled us to God in one body by the cross.
We meet in his name and share his peace.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
All may exchange a greeting of peace.
Hymn: #549 Our Darkness is Never Darkness
Our darkness is never darkness in your sight;
The deepest night is clear as the daylight.
La ténèbre n'est point ténèbre devant toi :
La nuit comme la jour est lumière.
The Celebration of the Eucharist
The Prayer Over the Gifts
God our provider, you have not fed us with bread alone, but with words of grace and life. Bless us and these your gifts, which we receive from your bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Eucharistic Prayer
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to God our Creator.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
O God, eternal Wisdom, all you have made is beautiful and good. We thank you for darkness and light, for this earth and for our bodies, for growth and change and all that lies beyond our knowledge and imagination.
In every generation you befriend your people. You gave us your holy Law, sent the prophets, and called us back to the truth whenever we turned away. You were vindicated in your servant Jesus who came with forgiveness, feasting, and stories of your grace.
Though we rejected him, death on a cross could not quench the fire of his love. You raised him up for us, the firstborn from the dead, to build a new community of hope where all are honoured as Christ’s equal friends.
And so we praise you with Mary, mother of the living Word, and with all your faithful friends, as we join the angels’ song:
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
Lord God of Hosts,
Heaven and earth
are full of your glory;
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name,
who comes in the name of the Lord;
Hosanna in the highest.
(Kilcreggan Mass by Peter Nardone)
God of the feast, your household is hungry for the bread of heaven and the cup of life. Send your Spirit on us and on our celebration, so that we may eat at this table and be satisfied with the sacrament of Christ’s body and blood.
On the night before he died, Jesus shared a meal with the people he loved. He took the bread, gave you thanks, broke it to share with them, and said: “Take and eat this: it is my body.”
Then he took a cup of wine. Again he thanked you and told them: “Drink this, all of you: it is my blood, shed for you and for many so that sins may be forgiven. Whenever you do this, do it in memory of me.”
So we delight to remember Jesus: the faithfulness of his life, the victory of his cross, the glory of his resurrection, the joy of the Holy Spirit poured out for the Church. We proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
O God, holy Wisdom, merciful and generous, accept our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Make us good stewards of creation, with justice in our hearts, courage in our actions and power in our speech to bear witness to the truth.
Protect us with your glory, unite your church in loyalty and love, and bring us home with all your saints to feast with you for ever. Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, and in the Spirit’s grace, with heart and soul and mind and strength we love and worship you alone, O God, for ever and ever.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread
We break this bread,
Communion in Christ’s body once broken.
Let your Church be the wheat which bears its fruit in dying.
If we have died with him, we shall live with him;
if we hold firm, we shall reign with him.
The gifts of God for the People of God.
Thanks be to God.
All are welcome to receive holy communion or a blessing.
Please remain in your pews and servers will come to you.
Gluten-free bread is available.
Communion bread and wine are offered today.
You may receive communion in one kind (bread only)
or partake of the wine also by drinking from the common cup,
touching the base of the cup, or reverencing the cup with a small bow.
Jesus, Lamb of God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, bearer of our sins, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Redeemer of the world, give us your peace. (Kilcreggan Mass by Peter Nardone)
Music during Communion:
#610, Before I Take the Body of My Lord
Before I take the body of my Lord,
before I share his life in bread and wine,
I recognise the sorry tings within -
These I lay down.
The words of hope I often failed to give,
the prayers of kindness buried by my pride,
the signs of care I argued out of sight -
These I lay down.
The narrowness of vision and of mind,
the need for other folk to serve my will,
and every word and silence meant to hurt -
These I lay down.
Of those around in whom I meet my Lord,
I ask them pardon and I grant them mine
that every contradiction to Christ's peace
might be laid down.
Lord Jesus Christ, companion at this feast,
I empty now my heart and stretch my hands,
and ask to meet you here in bread and wine -
which you lay down.
#634, Jesus, Remember Me
Jesus, remember me,
when you come into your kingdom.
Jesus, remember me,
when you come into your kingdom.
Prayer after Communion
God of life and death, from the fullness of yourself you have created all that is; through the power of your love you call us towards you; in the giving of your Son our salvation has been wrought. Our flowering and our passing, all the seasons of the vine, belong to you. Bless us now and in all our days, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Go in the peace of Christ.
Thanks be to God.
Postlude
You are invited to stay and meditate and pray, or leave quietly.
This service was prepared using resources from the Anglican Church of Canada and the Anglican Church of Australia.
This service was prepared using resources from the Anglican Church of Canada and the Anglican Church of Australia.
