Ash Wednesday – 24 February 2004
Ecumenical Service
Prepared by the Anglican Roman Catholic Commission in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Introduction:
The Anglican Roman Catholic Commission in Aotearoa, New Zealand recommends shared Ash Wednesday Liturgies of the Word throughout the country each year. This is in the spirit of the joint declaration of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Pope and in the spirit of Pope John Paul II’s encyclical letter on the quest for Christian unity “that they may all be one”.
In praying for unity we need to repent of our divisions and to approach Christ in Christian humility, with new vision. The Ash Wednesday liturgy which commences the season of Lent is ideally suited for this purpose. There is no triumphalism here and no complacency; only a desire to journey with Christ into the desert, to be simple and honest in the presence of God and to look to the promise of Easter and new beginnings.
1. WELCOME
2. HYMN
3. Let us pray…….
Living God, as we enter this season of Lent, we offer ourselves to you with humility, repentance and love, conscious of your never failing love and mercy, and relying on your healing and forgiveness. We praise you for the supreme sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and for His saving love. Our prayers come to you through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
4. READING: Hosea 14: 2 and 3a, 5-8
5. PENITENTIAL PRAYER
Leader: “I call heaven and earth to witness…..
That I have set before you life and death…..
Choose life. [Deut 30:19]
Lord have mercy”
All: Lord have mercy
Leader: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
Christ have mercy”
All: Christ have mercy
Leader: “As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me, I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one.
Lord have mercy”
All: Lord have mercy
6. ABSOLUTION
7. COLLECT
Almighty and merciful God, You love everything you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent. Create in us new and contrite hearts so that when we turn to you and confess our since, we may receive your full and perfect forgiveness, through Jesus Christ our Redeemer.
8. READING: 1 Peter 1: 9-10
9. ANTHEM
10. GOSPEL READING: Luke 4: 16-21
11. HOMILY
12. THE RITUAL OF FIRE. The transforming power of God’s Creation, Fire, reminds us that the Lenten season calls us to Metanoia, to Transformation of Heart
13. BLESSING AND GIVING OF ASHES
Dear friends in Christ:
Let us ask God to bless these ashes which we will use as a mark of our repentance.
Lord, bless the sinner who asks for your forgiveness and bless all those who receive these ashes.
May they keep this Lenten season in preparation for the joy of Easter, we ask this through Christ our Lord.
Impose the ashes, using the words: : “turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel” [a choir/music group may sing]
2. We are sons of the morning,
we are daughters of day
The one who has loved us has brightened our way.
The Lord of all kindness has called us to be
A light for his people to set their hearts free.
Refrain………
3. God is light, in Him there is no darkness
Let us walk in his light
His children one and all.
O comfort my people, make gentle your words
Proclaim to my city, the day of her birth.
Refrain………
4. O City of gladness, now lift up your voice
Proclaim the good tidings that all may rejoice.
Refrain……..
Dan Schutte Sj
Copyright c. 1981 North American Liturgy
Resources. Used by permission.
Music Source: LL
SAMPLE HYMNS
Lift High the Cross
Lift high the Cross, the love of Christ proclaim
Till all the world adores His sacred name.
1. Come, Christian people, sing your praises, shout!
If we are silent, even stones cry out…..
2. Jesus, you wept to see our human strife
Teach us compassion for each human life……
3. Peace was your plea and peace your loving theme
Let peace be our passport, peace a living dream…..
4.Great is the cost of walking on this road,
To follow and suffer with the Son of God……
5. Worlds to be born and children yet to come
Take up this song into eternity……
Shirley Murray Adapted from GW Kitchen
Music c Hymns Ancient and Modern Ltd c Shirley
City of God
1. Awake from your slumber, arise from your sleep
A new day is dawning for all those who weep.
The people in darkness have seen a great light
The Lord of our longing, has conquered the night.
REFRAIN: Let us build the City of God, may our tears
be turned into dancing,
For the Lord, our light and our love
has turned the night into day
14. THE INTERCESSION
Let us pray to our God who is ever ready to hear and answer us.
God, our strength….we gather at the beginning of this holy season. Lead us from where we stand at the edge of darkness to the place of light where we can call the Cross our glory and rejoice in the resurrection of Christ your Son.
Lord hear us
Lord, hear our prayer
God, our Creator…..,You desire that all people live in unity and peace.
Give us light and wisdom to grow as one body united in love, so that we may continue your saving work amongst all people.
Lord, hear us
Lord, hear our prayer
Gracious God…..Your love extends to the ends of the earth and your mercy surrounds our fragile lives. Send your blessings on us that we may be signs and instruments of your peace and justice in the world.
Lord, hear us
Lord, hear our prayer
Ever present God…..During this Lenten journey may your Word be as a stream in our dry ground and your presence as gentle rain to comfort us, make us joyous and enable us to walk towards Easter in your sight.
Lord, hear us
Lord, hear our prayer
15. THE LORD’S PRAYER - Sung
Our Father in heaven
Hallowed be your name
Your kingdom come
Your will be done
On earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread
Forgive us our sins
As we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
And deliver us from evil
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory
Are yours now and forever. Amen
E to matou Matua I te rangi
Kia tapu tou Ingoa.
Kia tae mai tou rangatiratanga.
Kia meatia tau e pai ai
Ki runga ki te whenua,
Kia rite ano ki to te rangi.
Homai ki a matou alanei
He taro ma matou mo tenei ra.
Murua o matou hara,
Me matou hoki e muru nei
I o te hunga e hara ana ki a matou.
Aua hoki matou e kawea kia whakawaia;
Engari whakaorangia matou I te kino:
Nou hoki te rangatiratanga, te kaha,
me to kororia,
Ake ake ake. Amine
16. WE EXCHANGE THE SIGN OF PEACE
17.
Leader: On our heads and in our homes
All: The blessing of God.
Leader: In our coming and going
All: The peace of God.
Leader: In our life and believing
All: The love of God.
Leader: At our end and new beginning.
All: The arms of God to welcome us and bring us home. Ever loving God, we pray, united in Christ and secure in the promise that you will hear and answer us. Amen.
18. THE BLESSING