Not Proud - Except of my Lord

Here is a part of our Ash Wednesday order of worship... You can listen to John's testimony and my message by clicking here.

HEARING GOD'S WORD

Ephesians 6:10-13, Mark 13:1-13

PERSPECTIVES ON THE PASSION

“Near the Cross” (verses 1-2)

Jesus keep me near the cross—there a precious fountain,
Free to all, a healing stream, flows from Calvary's mountain.
In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever,
‘Til my raptured soul shall find rest beyond the river.

At the cross I stood one day. Love and mercy found me;
There the bright & morning star shed its beams around me.
In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever,
‘Til my raptured soul shall find rest beyond the river.

Galatians 6:14

What the Cross Means to Me – John ...
We recorded John's testimony and my message. John says that he hopes it helps someone out there. Listen by clicking here. John was born 1965 in Brevard, North Carolina. He served in the U.S. army and national guard for 23 years, including 3 years in Korea.

“Near the Cross” (verse 3)

Near the cross! O Lamb of God, bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day with its shadow o'er me.
In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever,
‘Til my raptured soul shall find rest beyond the river.
(by Fanny Crosby)

INTRODUCTION TO LENT

During these 40 days…
Pray for removal of barriers to God’s work in your life:
a. Sin—self-examination, repentance, receiving forgiveness
b. Forgiveness I’ve withheld from others
c. Hurts that need attention, broken relationships, loneliness
d. Trivia & busyness that keep me from God’s Word
e. Unwillingness to obey God (saying “no” to following/serving Jesus)
Ask God to work in your life during this season:
1. If you do not yet trust in Jesus to save and lead you, pray for faith—then talk to a trusted Christian who is wiser than you and ask questions, admit doubts, ask them to pray for you
2. If you are drifting or running from God in a part of your life, pray that the Holy Spirit would lead you home to God
3. If you know the Lord well, pray for the Holy Spirit’s conviction and courage to examine all areas of your life.

CONFESSION OF SIN

Psalm 51:1-18

Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and one another.
[silence]
R/ is the response “Lord, have mercy.”
We have not loved you with our whole heart, mind and strength. R/
We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. R/
We have not forgiven others as we have been forgiven. R/
We have not obeyed your call to serve as Christ served us. R/
We confess unfaithfulness, pride, envy, hypocrisy and apathy. R/
…self-indulgence and exploitation of others… R/
…negligence in prayer and worship… R/
…unwillingness to share the faith… R/
...neglect of human need and suffering… R/
… indifference to injustice and cruelty… R/
…false judgments, uncharitable thoughts, prejudice and contempt… R/
…waste and pollution, lack of concern for those who come after us… R/
[silence]
Restore us, O God, and let your anger depart from us.
Hear us, Father, for your mercy is great.

ASHES AND COMMUNION
Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.
The body and blood of Christ, given and shed for you.

The communion will be simple and quiet. After the Words of Institution and Lord’s Prayer, all who desire to receive the Lord Jesus in communion are invited to come up the center aisle. As you come forward, there will be a place for you to receive ashes on your forehead if you desire. Ashes show our broken, sinful, human condition. By being marked with ashes, we confess that we are completely dependent on the mercy of God. Being marked with ashes is optional. Whether or not you are marked with ashes, each person may receive the Lord’s Supper. Groups will be served while standing; each group will be dismissed after the whole group has received. We receive the Lord’s body and blood, given and shed for us for the forgiveness of sins.

After all have received the gifts and have returned to their places all stand and continue.
Accomplish in us, O God, the work of your salvation,
that we may show forth your glory in the world.
By the Cross and Passion of your Son Jesus, our Lord,
bring us with all your saints to the joy of his resurrection.