ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE
7 pm, March 5, 2025
Wednesday
Ash
March 5, 2025 • 7 PM
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Prelude Duane Prill, Piano
"Deep River” — arr. Barbara Heastings "Going Home/Softly and Tenderly” — arr. Michael Fischer “Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley” — arr. C. E. Walz
Introit
Welcome and Introductions
*Call to Worship
All are invited to read the bold-faced type; the lay reader will read the unbolded type. There is a wisdom in ash, that we need so much, but seldom hear. It's the wisdom of grief, that reminds us of our mortality, and that Life is more than this dust can contain. It's the wisdom of confession, that brings our darkness out of hiding, and opens the windows to Light. It's the wisdom of repentance, that stops us in our tracks, and charts the way to Love. There's a wisdom in ash, and we welcome it, Jesus, thankful for the renewing gifts it brings. Amen. © John van de Laar
7 pm • March 5, 2025
The community gathers As the community gathers, may the music of the prelude draw your hearts and minds to God.
Ash Wednesday
*Opening Hymn
"Sunday's Palms Are Wednesday's Ashes"
Opening Prayer
Eternal God, searcher of hearts, this day is a starting point for looking deep, the beginning of another chance at a new life. Help us in this season to travel the road ahead. We know it isn’t easy. We know there are shadows to face, ashes to carry. Guide us on our way, remove the obstacles before us, open us to your loving grace. Whether we can admit it or not, we long for you in our lives. Fill us with your presence. From the depths of our hearts, we ask it. Amen.
Scripture Genesis 32:22-26
The same night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.”
Anthem Sanctuary Choir of Asbury First
"Now Let Us All with One Accord" — Arlen Clarke; words attr. St. Gregory (540-604) Now let us all with one accord, in company with ages past, keep vigil with our heavenly Lord in his temptation and his fast. Your love, O Christ, our sinful race has not returned, but falsified; author of mercy, turn your face and grant repentance for our pride. Remember, Christ, though frail we be, in your own image were we made; help us, lest in anxiety, we cause your Name to be betrayed. Therefore, we pray you, Christ, forgive; so when our wanderings here shall cease, we may with you forever live, in love and unity and peace.
Sermon
*Litany of Confession
Eternal God, it is hard to believe that you want what we have to give, that you take us as we are, where we are. We find it difficult to trust you, else we would not be so uptight and tense, so anxious and uncomfortable. Yet Jesus taught us to come to you in the naturalness of our undressed lives, and in the disorder of our chaotic spirits. And so I come. I cannot wear garments of innocence for I have smudged my life with all sorts of unworthy things for which I am ashamed. Still, I know you do not want me berating myself and lamenting my wickedness. You want me to rise into the clear brightness of your acceptance and forgiveness. We cannot come in serene complacence. We are troubled in various ways. We have unsolvable problems, unresolved difficulties. I know you do not want me to wait until I am in control of my life. You want me to open myself to your Spirit with the knowledge that, if my problems remain unsolvable, I can live with them by your grace. So I come. I come, O God, moving in the right direction, I hope. I come, O God, turned toward the light that you offer. And if in my coming, my moving, my turning, I am strengthened, that is enough. It is more than I can manage alone. But then, there is little I can manage alone. I need other people, and above all, I need you, O God. Amen. From A Book of Uncommon Prayer, Kenneth Phifer
Invitation to the Lenten Discipline and Imposition of Ashes
*Benediction
Postlude
"What Wondrous Love Is This" — arr. John S. Dixon
*Hymn
#117 "O God, Our Help in Ages Past"
Participants in the Service
Preacher: Rev. James C. Simmons Pastor, Baber African Methodist Episcopal Church Clergy: Rev. Michelle Bogue-Trost Senior Minister, Asbury First United Methodist Church Musicians: Organist: Duane Prill (Asbury First UMC) Baber African Methodist Episcopal Church Choir, Julius Dicks, Minister of Music Asbury First Santcuary Choir, Dr. Carl Johengen, Director of Music Ministry Live Stream Operator: Larry Dugan
Permissions: "Now Let Us All with One Accord” © 2010 St. James Music Press; Hymns © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; OneLicense.net #A-721053. Illustration Credits: David Stith
About Baber African Methodist Episcopal Church
About Asbury First United Methodist Church
www.baberrochester.org
www.asburyfirst.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.
Welcome to Asbury First United Methodist Church, a community of open hearts and open minds. You’re invited to know yourself, your neighbors, and Christ a little better, and to love, live, and serve in his name. With more than 200 years in ministry in Rochester, Asbury First UMC is: Progressive. Christ-centered. Making a difference. Come as you are—we will save you a seat!