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Amazing Grace
Lent Worship Series
Ash Wednesday: David
Order of Service
Opening Hymn # 744 Amazing Grace
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Psalm 51:1
I lay my sins on Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God; He bears them all and frees us from the accursed load. I bring my guilt to Jesus to wash my crimson stains Clean in his blood most precious till not a spot remains.
I lay my wants on Jesus; all fullness dwells in him; He heals all my diseases; my soul he does redeem. I lay my griefs on Jesus, my burdens and my cares; He from them all releases; he all my sorrows shares.
I rest my soul on Jesus, this weary soul of mine; His right hand me embraces; I on his breast recline. I love the name of Jesus, Immanuel, Christ the Lord; Like fragrance on the breezes his name abroad is poured.
Confession and Absolution
P In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C Amen.
P King David sinned against the Lord, committing adultery and murder. When he was confronted by the prophet Nathan, the king repented of his sins. In the Spirit-inspired words of a psalm, David expressed his sorrow over his sins and his trust in God’s mercy: “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.” God, in his grace, forgave the repentant king. As we begin our Lenten journey on this Ash Wednesday, we repent of our sins and, using the words of David’s psalm, we seek God’s amazing grace and ask him to have mercy on us.
C “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. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight … Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities” (Psalm 51:1-4, 9).
P Just as he did in the life of his servant David, God has showered us with his grace, his undeserved favor for sinners. God sent his Son into the world to be our Savior. On the cross Jesus took onto himself the penalty of death that we deserved for our sins and now those sins are washed away in his blood. I announce to you that your sins are forgiven in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
C “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” (Psalm 51:10-12).
Imposition of Ashes
P In repentant humility, the Old Testament figure Job said, “I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:6). In ancient times, God’s people often demonstrated sorrow for their sins by putting dust and ashes on their heads, a reminder of the penalty of death decreed in Eden, when God said, “You are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19). Today on Ash Wednesday, as we begin our journey to the cross with Jesus, we remember that we are sinners and that we need a Savior. We receive a mark of ashes in the sign of a cross, remembering that, on the cross, Jesus took onto himself the penalty of death for our sins. You are invited to come forward and receive the mark of ashes.
Participants are invited to come forward at the direction of the ushers.
Savior, when in dust to thee low we bow the adoring knee; When, repentant, to the skies scarce we lift our weeping eyes; O, by all thy pains and woe suffered once for us below, Bending from thy throne on high, hear our penitential cry!
By thy helpless infant years, by thy life of want and tears, By thy days of deep distress in the savage wilderness, By the dread, mysterious hour of the insulting tempter’s power Turn, O turn a favoring eye; hear our penitential cry!
By thine hour of dire despair, by thine agony of prayer, By the cross, the nail, the thorn, piercing spear, and torturing scorn, By the gloom that veiled the skies o’er the dreadful sacrifice, Listen to our humble sigh; hear our penitential cry!
By thy deep expiring groan, by the sad sepulchral stone, By the vault whose dark abode held in vain the rising God, O, from earth to heaven restored, mighty, reascended Lord, Bending from thy throne on high, hear our penitential cry!
Old Testament Reading … 2 Samuel 12:1-13
Epistle Reading … Romans 4:4-8
Gospel Reading … Luke 15:8-10
To thee, omniscient Lord of all, in grief and shame I humbly call; I see my sins against thee, Lord, the sins of thought and deed and word. They press me sore; I cry to thee; O God, be merciful to me!
Sermon: David
O Jesus, let thy precious blood be to my soul a cleansing flood. Turn not, O Lord, thy guest away, but grant that justified I may Go to my house at peace with thee: O God, be merciful to me!
Apostles’ Creed
C I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Offering
Prayers
P Almighty God, we praise you for the grace displayed in the life of your servant King David. Through David’s descendant and greater Son, Jesus Christ our King, you fulfilled your promise to bring us life and salvation. Gracious Lord,
C Have mercy on us and hear our prayer.
P Almighty God, we pray that you will, by the power of your Spirit, lead us to true repentance. As we follow our Lord on his path to the cross, help us to see that it was our sins for which Jesus suffered and died. Gracious Lord,
C Have mercy on us and hear our prayer.
P Almighty God, during Lent and beyond this holy season, we pray that, with the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit, we might bear fruit in keeping with repentance. We want to glorify you each day in our thoughts, words and actions. Gracious Lord,
C Have mercy on us and hear our prayer.
P Almighty God, we pray that you would bring help and comfort to those who are ill and suffering in body, mind or spirit. According to your gracious will, grant comfort and healing to them. Help them to find hope and joy in the promises of your Word. Gracious Lord,
C Have mercy on us and hear our prayer.
P Almighty God, by the power of your Spirit, help us to be bold in our witness for our Savior. We pray that through our acts of love and service and through our words of witness that, by your grace, others will come to know and worship Jesus as Lord and Savior. Gracious Lord,
C Have mercy on us and hear our prayer.
P Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
Benediction (Romans 4:7-8; Numbers 6:24-26)
P Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered;
C Blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.
P The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
C Amen.
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see.
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; ’Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.
Closing Hymn #419 Savior when is dust to Thee

Go in Peace- Serve the Lord

