ASH WEDNESDAY
SERVICE ORDER
Wednesday, 14th February, 2024
Nhill Lutheran Parish
WELCOME:
INVOCATION:
P In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C Amen.
OPENING HYMN: Tune: LHS 78
1 Lord, to You I make confession:
I have sinned and gone astray,
I have multiplied transgression,
Chosen for myself my way.
Led by You to see my errors,
Lord, I tremble at Your terrors.
2 Yet, though conscience’ voice appall me,
Father, I will seek Your face;
Though Your child I dare not call me,
Yet receive me in Your grace.
Do not for my sins forsake me;
Let Your wrath not overtake me.
3 For Your Son has suffered for me,
Giv’n Himself to rescue me,
Died to save me and restore me,
Reconciled and set me free.
Jesus’ cross alone can vanquish
These dark fears and soothe this anguish.
4 Lord, on You I cast my burden--
Sink it in the deepest sea!
Let me know Your gracious pardon,
Cleanse me from iniquity.
Let Your Spirit leave me never;
Make me only Yours forever.
Text: Johann Franck, 1618–77; tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827–78, alt. Text: Public domain
CONFESSION OF SINS:
Pastor introduces our Confession of Sins
C O almighty God, merciful Father, I, a poor, miserable sinner, confess unto You all my sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended You and justly deserved Your temporal and eternal punishment. But I am heartily sorry for them and sincerely repent of them, and I pray You of Your boundless mercy and for the sake of the holy, innocent, bitter sufferings and death of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be gracious and merciful to me, a poor, sinful being.
P God be merciful to you and strengthen your faith.
C Amen.
P Do you believe that the forgiveness I speak is not my forgiveness but God’s?
C Yes.
P Let it be done for you as you believe.
ABSOLUTION:
In the stead of Christ - Pastor will forgive your sins
INTROIT: Psalm 51:1–3, 10–12; antiphon: v. 17
C The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin!
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and will be forever. Amen.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
SALUTATION:
P The Lord be with you.
C And also with you.
COLLECT - PRAYER OF THE DAY:
C Almighty and everlasting God, You despise nothing You have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent. Create in us new and contrite hearts that lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness we may receive from You full pardon and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
OLD TESTAMENT: Joel 2:12–19
L O Lord, have mercy on us.
C Thanks be to God.
EPISTLE: 2 Corinthians 5:20b—6:10
L O Lord, have mercy on us.
C Thanks be to God.
RESPONSE: Joel 2:13b
C Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.
GOSPEL: Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21
P This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C Praise to You, O Christ.
NICENE CREED
C I believe in one God,
the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth
and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the only-begotten Son of God,
begotten of His Father before all worlds,
God of God, Light of Light,
very God of very God,
begotten, not made,
being of one substance with the Father,
by whom all things were made;
who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven
and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary
and was made man;
and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.
He suffered and was buried.
And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures
and ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of the Father.
And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead,
whose kingdom will have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord and giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified,
who spoke by the prophets.
And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church,
I acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins,
and I look for the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
HYMN OF THE DAY: Tune: LHS 51
1 Jesus sinners doth receive;
Oh, may all this saying ponder
Who in sin’s delusions live
And from God and heaven wander!
Here is hope for all who grieve:
Jesus sinners doth receive.
2 We deserve but grief and shame,
Yet His words, rich grace revealing,
Pardon, peace, and life proclaim;
Here our ills have perfect healing.
Firmly in these words believe:
Jesus sinners doth receive.
3 Sheep that from the fold did stray
No true shepherd e’er forsaketh;
Weary souls that lost their way
Christ, the Shepherd, gently taketh
In His arms that they may live:
Jesus sinners doth receive.
4 I, a sinner, come to Thee
With a penitent confession.
Savior, mercy show to me;
Grant for all my sins remission.
Let these words my soul relieve:
Jesus sinners doth receive.
Text: tr. The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, alt.; Erdmann Neumeister, 1671–1756
Text: Public domain
SERMON MEDITATION:
SERMON HYMN: Tune: LHS 51
5 Oh, how blest it is to know:
Were as scarlet my transgression,
It shall be as white as snow
By Thy blood and bitter passion;
For these words I now believe:
Jesus sinners doth receive.
6 Now my conscience is at peace;
From the Law I stand acquitted.
Christ hath purchased my release
And my ev’ry sin remitted.
Naught remains my soul to grieve:
Jesus sinners doth receive.
7 Jesus sinners doth receive;
Also I have been forgiven;
And when I this earth must leave,
I shall find an open heaven.
Dying, still to Him I cleave:
Jesus sinners doth receive.
Text: tr. The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, alt.; Erdmann Neumeister, 1671–1756
Text: Public domain
LITANY:
Pastor introduces our Litany followed by silence for reflection.
P O Lord,
C have mercy.
P O Christ,
C have mercy.
P O Lord,
C have mercy.
P O Christ,
C hear us.
P God the Father in heaven,
C have mercy.
P God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
C have mercy.
P God the Holy Spirit,
C have mercy.
P Be gracious to us.
C Spare us, good Lord.
P Be gracious to us.
C Help us, good Lord.
P By the mystery of …
… of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter:
C Help us, good Lord.
P In all time …
… the day of judgment:
C Help us, good Lord.
P We poor sinners implore You
C to hear us, O Lord.
P To prosper the …
… strength to our repentance:
C We implore You to hear us, good Lord.
P To draw all …
… have mercy on us all:
C We implore You to hear us, good Lord.
P To turn our …
… hear our prayers:
C We implore You to hear us, good Lord.
P Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,
C we implore You to hear us.
P Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world,
C have mercy.
P Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world,
C have mercy.
P Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world,
C grant us Your peace.
P O Christ,
C hear us.
P O Lord,
C have mercy.
P O Christ,
C have mercy.
P O Lord,
C have mercy. Amen.
P O God, You desire not …
… reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C Amen.
IMPOSITION OF ASHES:
COMMUNION PREPARATION HYMN: Tune: LHS 327
1 Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness
My beauty are, my glorious dress;
Midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed,
With joy shall I lift up my head.
2 Bold shall I stand in that great day,
Cleansed and redeemed, no debt to pay;
Fully absolved through these I am
From sin and fear, from guilt and shame.
3 Lord, I believe Thy precious blood,
Which at the mercy seat of God
Pleads for the captives’ liberty,
Was also shed in love for me.
4 Lord, I believe, were sinners more
Than sands upon the ocean shore,
Thou hast for all a ransom paid,
For all a full atonement made.
5 When from the dust of death I rise
To claim my mansion in the skies,
This then shall be my only plea:
Jesus hath lived and died for me.
6 Jesus, be endless praise to Thee,
Whose boundless mercy hath for me,
For me, and all Thy hands have made,
An everlasting ransom paid.
Text: Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf, 1700–60; tr. John B. Wesley, 1703–91, alt.
Text: Public domain
COMMUNION PREFACE:
P The Lord be with you.
C And also with you.
P Lift up your hearts.
C We lift them up to the Lord.
P Let us give thanks to the Lord.
C For that is fitting and right.
P It is truly fitting and right, …
… evermore praising you and saying:
SANCTUS - HOLY, HOLY, HOLY,
C Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts;
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
LORD'S PRAYER:
P Our Father in heaven, …
… but deliver us from evil.
C For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever.
Amen.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION:
THE PEACE:
P The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C Amen.
AGNUS DEI - LAMB OF GOD:
C O Christ, Lamb of God,
You take away the sin of the world.
Have Mercy on us. (Repeat)
O Christ, Lamb of God,
You take away the sin of the world.
Grant us Your peace.
DISTRIBUTION:
DISMISSAL:
SONG OF SIMEON:
C Lord, now let your servant depart in peace,
according to your Word.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the presence of all people;
A light to reveal you to the nations,
and the glory of your people Israel.
Glory to the Father, and the Son,
and the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be for evermore. Amen.
THE GREETING:
P The Lord be with you.
C And also with you.
THE THANKSGIVING:
P O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
C For His love endures forever.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER:
P We give You thanks, …
C Amen.
BLESSING:
P Let us bless the Lord.
C God be praised for evermore.
P The Lord bless you…
… and give you peace.
C Amen. Amen. Amen.
MISSION HYMN: Tune: LHS 756
1 O Lord, throughout these forty days
You prayed and kept the fast;
Inspire repentance for our sin,
And free us from our past.
2 You strove with Satan, and You won;
Your faithfulness endured;
Lend us Your nerve, Your skill and trust
In God’s eternal Word.
3 Though parched and hungry, yet You prayed
And fixed Your mind above;
So teach us to deny ourselves,
Since we have known God’s love.
4 Be with us through this season, Lord,
And all our earthly days,
That when the final Easter dawns,
We join in heaven’s praise.
Text: based on Claudia F. Hernaman, 1838–98; para. Gilbert E. Doan, 1930
Text: © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 130526631
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2024 Concordia Publishing House.
INVOCATION:
P In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C Amen.
OPENING HYMN: Tune: LHS 78
1 Lord, to You I make confession:
I have sinned and gone astray,
I have multiplied transgression,
Chosen for myself my way.
Led by You to see my errors,
Lord, I tremble at Your terrors.
2 Yet, though conscience’ voice appall me,
Father, I will seek Your face;
Though Your child I dare not call me,
Yet receive me in Your grace.
Do not for my sins forsake me;
Let Your wrath not overtake me.
3 For Your Son has suffered for me,
Giv’n Himself to rescue me,
Died to save me and restore me,
Reconciled and set me free.
Jesus’ cross alone can vanquish
These dark fears and soothe this anguish.
4 Lord, on You I cast my burden--
Sink it in the deepest sea!
Let me know Your gracious pardon,
Cleanse me from iniquity.
Let Your Spirit leave me never;
Make me only Yours forever.
Text: Johann Franck, 1618–77; tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827–78, alt. Text: Public domain
CONFESSION OF SINS:
Pastor introduces our Confession of Sins
C O almighty God, merciful Father, I, a poor, miserable sinner, confess unto You all my sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended You and justly deserved Your temporal and eternal punishment. But I am heartily sorry for them and sincerely repent of them, and I pray You of Your boundless mercy and for the sake of the holy, innocent, bitter sufferings and death of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be gracious and merciful to me, a poor, sinful being.
P God be merciful to you and strengthen your faith.
C Amen.
P Do you believe that the forgiveness I speak is not my forgiveness but God’s?
C Yes.
P Let it be done for you as you believe.
ABSOLUTION:
In the stead of Christ - Pastor will forgive your sins
INTROIT: Psalm 51:1–3, 10–12; antiphon: v. 17
C The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin!
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and will be forever. Amen.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
SALUTATION:
P The Lord be with you.
C And also with you.
COLLECT - PRAYER OF THE DAY:
C Almighty and everlasting God, You despise nothing You have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent. Create in us new and contrite hearts that lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness we may receive from You full pardon and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
OLD TESTAMENT: Joel 2:12–19
L O Lord, have mercy on us.
C Thanks be to God.
EPISTLE: 2 Corinthians 5:20b—6:10
L O Lord, have mercy on us.
C Thanks be to God.
RESPONSE: Joel 2:13b
C Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.
GOSPEL: Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21
P This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C Praise to You, O Christ.
NICENE CREED
C I believe in one God,
the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth
and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the only-begotten Son of God,
begotten of His Father before all worlds,
God of God, Light of Light,
very God of very God,
begotten, not made,
being of one substance with the Father,
by whom all things were made;
who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven
and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary
and was made man;
and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.
He suffered and was buried.
And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures
and ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of the Father.
And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead,
whose kingdom will have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord and giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified,
who spoke by the prophets.
And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church,
I acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins,
and I look for the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
HYMN OF THE DAY: Tune: LHS 51
1 Jesus sinners doth receive;
Oh, may all this saying ponder
Who in sin’s delusions live
And from God and heaven wander!
Here is hope for all who grieve:
Jesus sinners doth receive.
2 We deserve but grief and shame,
Yet His words, rich grace revealing,
Pardon, peace, and life proclaim;
Here our ills have perfect healing.
Firmly in these words believe:
Jesus sinners doth receive.
3 Sheep that from the fold did stray
No true shepherd e’er forsaketh;
Weary souls that lost their way
Christ, the Shepherd, gently taketh
In His arms that they may live:
Jesus sinners doth receive.
4 I, a sinner, come to Thee
With a penitent confession.
Savior, mercy show to me;
Grant for all my sins remission.
Let these words my soul relieve:
Jesus sinners doth receive.
Text: tr. The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, alt.; Erdmann Neumeister, 1671–1756
Text: Public domain
SERMON MEDITATION:
SERMON HYMN: Tune: LHS 51
5 Oh, how blest it is to know:
Were as scarlet my transgression,
It shall be as white as snow
By Thy blood and bitter passion;
For these words I now believe:
Jesus sinners doth receive.
6 Now my conscience is at peace;
From the Law I stand acquitted.
Christ hath purchased my release
And my ev’ry sin remitted.
Naught remains my soul to grieve:
Jesus sinners doth receive.
7 Jesus sinners doth receive;
Also I have been forgiven;
And when I this earth must leave,
I shall find an open heaven.
Dying, still to Him I cleave:
Jesus sinners doth receive.
Text: tr. The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, alt.; Erdmann Neumeister, 1671–1756
Text: Public domain
LITANY:
Pastor introduces our Litany followed by silence for reflection.
P O Lord,
C have mercy.
P O Christ,
C have mercy.
P O Lord,
C have mercy.
P O Christ,
C hear us.
P God the Father in heaven,
C have mercy.
P God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
C have mercy.
P God the Holy Spirit,
C have mercy.
P Be gracious to us.
C Spare us, good Lord.
P Be gracious to us.
C Help us, good Lord.
P By the mystery of …
… of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter:
C Help us, good Lord.
P In all time …
… the day of judgment:
C Help us, good Lord.
P We poor sinners implore You
C to hear us, O Lord.
P To prosper the …
… strength to our repentance:
C We implore You to hear us, good Lord.
P To draw all …
… have mercy on us all:
C We implore You to hear us, good Lord.
P To turn our …
… hear our prayers:
C We implore You to hear us, good Lord.
P Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,
C we implore You to hear us.
P Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world,
C have mercy.
P Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world,
C have mercy.
P Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world,
C grant us Your peace.
P O Christ,
C hear us.
P O Lord,
C have mercy.
P O Christ,
C have mercy.
P O Lord,
C have mercy. Amen.
P O God, You desire not …
… reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C Amen.
IMPOSITION OF ASHES:
COMMUNION PREPARATION HYMN: Tune: LHS 327
1 Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness
My beauty are, my glorious dress;
Midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed,
With joy shall I lift up my head.
2 Bold shall I stand in that great day,
Cleansed and redeemed, no debt to pay;
Fully absolved through these I am
From sin and fear, from guilt and shame.
3 Lord, I believe Thy precious blood,
Which at the mercy seat of God
Pleads for the captives’ liberty,
Was also shed in love for me.
4 Lord, I believe, were sinners more
Than sands upon the ocean shore,
Thou hast for all a ransom paid,
For all a full atonement made.
5 When from the dust of death I rise
To claim my mansion in the skies,
This then shall be my only plea:
Jesus hath lived and died for me.
6 Jesus, be endless praise to Thee,
Whose boundless mercy hath for me,
For me, and all Thy hands have made,
An everlasting ransom paid.
Text: Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf, 1700–60; tr. John B. Wesley, 1703–91, alt.
Text: Public domain
COMMUNION PREFACE:
P The Lord be with you.
C And also with you.
P Lift up your hearts.
C We lift them up to the Lord.
P Let us give thanks to the Lord.
C For that is fitting and right.
P It is truly fitting and right, …
… evermore praising you and saying:
SANCTUS - HOLY, HOLY, HOLY,
C Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts;
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
LORD'S PRAYER:
P Our Father in heaven, …
… but deliver us from evil.
C For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever.
Amen.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION:
THE PEACE:
P The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C Amen.
AGNUS DEI - LAMB OF GOD:
C O Christ, Lamb of God,
You take away the sin of the world.
Have Mercy on us. (Repeat)
O Christ, Lamb of God,
You take away the sin of the world.
Grant us Your peace.
DISTRIBUTION:
DISMISSAL:
SONG OF SIMEON:
C Lord, now let your servant depart in peace,
according to your Word.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the presence of all people;
A light to reveal you to the nations,
and the glory of your people Israel.
Glory to the Father, and the Son,
and the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be for evermore. Amen.
THE GREETING:
P The Lord be with you.
C And also with you.
THE THANKSGIVING:
P O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
C For His love endures forever.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER:
P We give You thanks, …
C Amen.
BLESSING:
P Let us bless the Lord.
C God be praised for evermore.
P The Lord bless you…
… and give you peace.
C Amen. Amen. Amen.
MISSION HYMN: Tune: LHS 756
1 O Lord, throughout these forty days
You prayed and kept the fast;
Inspire repentance for our sin,
And free us from our past.
2 You strove with Satan, and You won;
Your faithfulness endured;
Lend us Your nerve, Your skill and trust
In God’s eternal Word.
3 Though parched and hungry, yet You prayed
And fixed Your mind above;
So teach us to deny ourselves,
Since we have known God’s love.
4 Be with us through this season, Lord,
And all our earthly days,
That when the final Easter dawns,
We join in heaven’s praise.
Text: based on Claudia F. Hernaman, 1838–98; para. Gilbert E. Doan, 1930
Text: © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 130526631
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2024 Concordia Publishing House.