Pan-Methodist Ash Wednesday Service
February 22, 2023 • 7 PM
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Prelude
“There is a Happy Land” — arr. George Shearing "Give Me Jesus” — arr. Richard Billingham "We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder” — arr. Gilbert Martin
Welcome and Introductions
Call to Worship
All are invited to read the bold-faced type; the lay reader will read the unbolded type. Return to me! Christ calls, and we hear. Return to me! Christ calls, and we listen. Return to me! Christ calls, and we respond. Return to me! Christ calls, and we turn... toward life, toward love, toward God.
7 pm • February 22, 2023
The community gathers As the community gathers, may the music of the prelude draw your hearts and minds to God.
Ash Wednesday
Opening Hymn
#57 "O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing" (vv. 1, 2, 3, 7) Words: Charles Wesley; Tune: Azmon, Carl G. Glaser, arr. Lowell Mason
Prayer of Invocation
Scripture Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before others in order to be seen by them, for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And whenever you fast, do not look somber, like the hypocrites, for they mark their faces to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Special Music
"Wayfaring Stranger" — Traditional Spiritual, arr. Howard Helvey I'm just a poor wayfaring stranger, I’m traveling through this world below; There's no sickness, toil, nor danger in that bright land to which I go. I'm going there to see my father, I’m going there no more to roam. I'm just a-going over Jordan, I'm just a-going over home. I know dark clouds will gather 'round me, I know my pathway’s rough and steep; But golden fields lie out before me where weary eyes no more shall weep. I'm going there to see my mother, She said she'd meet me when I come I'm just a-going over Jordan, I'm just a-going over home. I’ll soon be free from every trial, this form will rest beneath the sod; I’ll drop the cross of self-denial, and enter in my home with God. I’m going there to see my Savior, who shed for me his precious blood; I'm just a-going over Jordan, I'm just a-going over home.
Sermon
"There's a Stranger in Town" — Rev. Charles Nicks, Jr.
Litany of Confession
“From dust we came. Unto dust we shall return (Genesis 3:19).” The season of lent commences with a bitter confrontation with death. We cannot run from it. We cannot hide from it. We have no power to prevent it. Doctors cannot stop it. We will all die. Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. He springs up like a flower and withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure. (Job 14:2) This bold confrontation with death forces believers to examine their lives. It forces believers to reassess themselves. Have I wasted my life? Have I squandered my existence? Have I lived for Christ? For only what we do for Christ will last! It’s me, it’s me, it’s me, O Lord, standin’ in the need of prayer. But there is hope! We will all die, but tonight ashes will be imposed on our head in the shape of the cross. At the cross Jesus canceled the record of our debt. At the cross Jesus was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities. At the cross I first saw the light and the burdens of my heart rolled away. It was there by faith we received our sight and now I am happy all the day Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. (Psalm 32:1-2) We have received a second chance. We have received eternal life. We have a reason to rejoice. Now let us walk worthy of the call we have received. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who emptied himself and took on the form of a slave, humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even death on the cross. Therefore, God exalted him and handed a name that is above every name so that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. (Philippians 2:5-11)
Invitation to the Lenten Discipline and Imposition of Ashes
Music during Distribution
Marvin Rogers, piano
Hymn
#292 "What Wondrous Love Is This" , vv. 1-3 Words and Music: American folk hymn
Participants in the Service
Preacher: Rev. Dr. Stephen M. Cady — Senior Minister, Asbury First United Methodist Church Clergy Participants: Rev. Magalene Moore — Minister for Membership and Engagement, Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Rev. Dr. Julius C. Clay — Pastor, New Bethel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church Rev. James C. Simmons — Pastor, Baber African Methodist Episcopal Church Organist: Duane Prill (Asbury First UMC) Choirs: Asbury First, Dr. Carl Johengen, Director Memorial, Marvin Rogers, Director Audio Operator: Rick Church Camera Operator: Larry Dugan
Permissions: "Wayfaring Stranger” © 2018 Beckenhorst Press, Inc.; Hymns © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; OneLicense.net #A-721053. Some of the liturgical elements have been adapted from the Abingdon Worship Annual. Illustration Credits: Designed by Sarah Brubaker and Freepik and Vecteezy.
Benediction
Postlude
"O Lamb of God, Pure, Spotless" — Johann Pachelbel
The AME Zion Church Methodism in Western New York has one of its most enduring proponents in the Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Rochester, New York. Founded in 1827, the early church edifice was connected to the Underground Railroad in Rochester. Harriet Tubman, known as “The Moses of her people,” is credited with leading hundreds of Negro slaves to freedom, using the first building to shelter fugitive slaves. Susan B. Anthony gave one of her last public addresses in the church, and Frederick Douglass edited his abolitionist papers, “The North Star,” from presses set up in the church basement.
For more than nine decades, New Bethel CME Church has been spreading the message of Christianity through church services and Bible studies. Aside from offering an enlightening atmosphere for spiritual development, it is our mission to reach out to the poor and make their lives better. We sponsor many outreach ministries to help under served communities in Rochester, NY and surrounding areas. New Bethel CME Church is more than just an institution. We are a family that seeks the will of God and lives in accordance to His Word with our fellow brothers and sisters. Come and join our growing church today and be a testament of salvation and grace to other people. Contact our staff to learn more about our church services and outreach programs.
About New Bethel Christian Methodist episcopal church
About Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
www.baberrochester.org
Founded in 1956, Baber African Methodist Episcopal Church is committed to making men and women who reflect the life and love of Jesus Christ! Known for its emphasis on discipleship, celebration of black culture, and love for community, Baber Church is led by the Reverend James C. Simmons, whose spiritual prowess and business acumen has contributed to the growth and prosperity of Baber. The Mission of the African Methodist Episcopal Church is to minister to the spiritual, intellectual, physical, emotional, and environmental needs of all people by spreading Christ’s liberating gospel through word and deed. At every level of the connection and in every local church, the African Methodist Episcopal Church shall engage in carrying out the spirit of the original Free African Society.
About Baber African Methodist Episcopal Church
About Asbury First united methodist church
www.memorialamezion.org
www.asburyfirst.org
Just as the Christian faith is about bringing life to the world, Asbury First is about bringing life to this community. We believe the only way to the fullness of life promised by Jesus Christ is through love—love of God and love of neighbor. Through love we find life. In a love-filled life, we are led to serve others. Through service to others, we find love fully expressed. This cycle is the heart of discipleship and as such, we believe it is the key to living into God’s dream for this community. Thus, our mission at Asbury First is to love God and neighbor, to live fully, to serve all, and then to do it all again. Or said simply—love. live. serve. repeat.
www.newbethelcme.org