Join us on Ash Wednesday as we begin our series, Wandering Heart: Figuring out faith with Peter. We gather to begin the season of Lent by tuning our hearts to resonate with God’s. We take on the sign of ashes as a reminder that we have but this one wild and precious life, and, like Peter, we want to live it with all the fullness of abundant life.
Each Wednesday in Lent we will gather for a simple supper at 5:45 pm, followed by worship in our beautiful sanctuary at 6:30 pm. Or, join us right here online. Worship videos are available here or on Youtube following the service. You are invited!
Ash Wednesday
Wandering Heart: Tune My Heart
Psalm 51
Union Presbyterian Church
February 14, 2024
Sharing the Light of Christ, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube
Prelude Colin DeLap
“How Deep the Father’s Love for Us,” Carol Tornquist.
© 1995, Thankyou Music.
Used by permission, CCLI license #CSPL068847.
Welcome
Opening Meditation by Rev. Sarah Are Speed
Hymn
“Joyous Light of Heavenly Glory,” Marty Haugen
©1987, GIA Publications, All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.
License #A-728112. All rights reserved.
Joyous light of heavenly glory,
Loving glow of God’s own face,
You who sing creation’s story,
Shine on every land and race.
Now as evening falls around us
We shall raise our songs to you,
God of daybreak, God of shadows,
Come and light our hearts anew.
In the stars that grace the darkness,
In the blazing sun of dawn,
In the light of peace and wisdom,
We can hear your quiet song.
Love that fills the night with wonder,
Love that warms the weary soul,
Love that bursts all chains asunder,
Set us free and make us whole.
You who made the heaven’s splendor,
Every dancing star of night,
Make us shine with gentle justice,
Let us each reflect your light.
Mighty God of all creation,
Gentle Christ who lights our way,
Loving Spirit of salvation,
Lead us on to endless day.
Scripture Reading Psalm 51, selected verses
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love;
in your great compassion, blot out my offenses.
Wash me through and through from my wickedness,
and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my offenses, and my sin is ever before me.
Indeed, you delight in truth deep within me,
and would have me know wisdom deep within.
Remove my sins with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be purer than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness,
that the body you have broken may rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my wickedness.
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 sustain me with your bountiful spirit.
Meditation
Anthem Choir
“Mercy,” Susan Bentall Boersma, Craig Courtney
©2015, Beckenhorst Press, All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.
License #A-728112. All rights reserved.
I dare not lift my guilty eyes.
I hide my lips in trembling shame.
And in the darkness of my soul,
I shrink from Your rekindling flame.
Kyrie eleison, kyrie eleison, have mercy.
In mercy cover me with grace
And blot out my iniquity.
Renew my heart and wash me clean;
Grant with Your pardon, purity.
Kyrie eleison, kyrie eleison, have mercy.
In equal measure of Your love,
You promise mercy, tender compassion
To the one who seeks Your face.
A broken heart, a fainting soul,
A contrite spirit, together cry
For Your forgiveness and Your grace.
Against You only have I sinned.
My deeds are evil in Your sight.
Of Your forgiveness let me sing,
And in my singing take delight.
Kyrie eleison, kyrie eleison, have mercy, have mercy.
Imposition of the Ashes
Almighty God, you have created us out of the dust of the earth. May these ashes be for us a sign of our mortality and desire for the complete healing and wholeness you offer, for it is only by your gracious gift that we are given everlasting life. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Music during Imposition:
“Draw Me Close,” Mark Hayes.
© 1994, Mercy/Vineyard Publishing.
Used by permission, CCLI license #CSPL068847
Prayers of the People
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Hymn #257 W & R
“What Wondrous Love Is This”
(Public Domain)
What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul,
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul!
When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down, sinking down;
When I was sinking down beneath God's righteous frown,
Christ laid aside his crown for my soul, for my soul,
Christ laid aside his crown for my soul!
To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing,
To God and to the Lamb I will sing!
To God and to the Lamb, who is the great "I AM,"
While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing,
While millions join the theme, I will sing!
And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on, I'll sing on,
And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on!
And when from death I'm free, I'll sing and joyful be,
And through eternity I'll sing on, I'll sing on,
And through eternity I'll sing on!
Benediction
Beloved wanderer,
as you leave this place,
may you carry your curious heart on your sleeve.
May you look for God in every face.
May you find the courage to get out of the boat,
to run to the tomb,
and to speak of your faith.
And when the world falls apart,
may you hear God’s voice deep within,
saying, “Take heart, it is I, be not afraid.”
You are called.
You are blessed.
In both your ups and your downs,
you always belong to God.
Go now in peace.
Go trusting that good news.
Amen.
Postlude Colin DeLap
“Lamb of God,” Mark Hayes.
© 1985, Straightway Music.
Used by permission, CCLI license #CSPL068847
Words for Worship: Rev. Anna Strickland, A Sanctified Art, used by permission.
Prayer Over the Ashes: Adapted from the PCUSA Book of Common Worship, 2018.
Bulletin Cover: Banner created by Shannon Quaranta, based on an icon designed by the Rev. Lauren Wright Pittman | A Sanctified Art | sanctifiedart.org.