February 13, 2013/ Ash Wednesday

Hello Everybody,

Here are some alternative ideas for your Ash Wednesday service. These prayers have been edited and adapted from many sources over the years. I'm sorry I cannot credit the original sources. If you know (or are) the original source please let me know and I will properly credit your work.



Opening Words:
Life-giving and merciful God, your love is in all of creation. Be here now as we look deeply within ourselves; show us how to take the daily things of life and see them as sacred. Infuse us with great love—for each other, for ourselves and for you. Remembering Christ as we pray. Amen.

An Adaptation of Psalm 103
by Pastor Liddy Gerchman Barlow
adapted from Psalms in Ordinary Voices.

Men:
Bless the Lord, my soul.

Women:
You have been hurried; now slow down; be mindful.
Turn all that you are to your work of blessing.

Men:
Bless the Lord, my soul.

Women:
God is by your side, for you no less than for Moses.
God knows your failings, but sees past them to know you as you truly are.
Your failings wither away in God’s sight.

Men:
Bless the Lord, my soul,

Women:
for you will wither too. Watch the grass and the flowers flourish for a season and die, and know the same will happen to you. You will not die to God, for God goes on and on. Souls to come, your grandchildren’s grandchildren, will know abundance too.

Men:
Bless the Lord, my soul.

Women:
Spread the blessing to everyone, everywhere.

All:
All people bless the Lord! Angels and saints, bless the Lord!
All creation in all corners of the universe, bless the Lord! Bless the Lord, my soul.

Be At Peace by Ann Strickland
Very simple. We use during Lent. Here's the chorded version:
The Eucharistic Prayer for Ash Wednesday

At the end of a journey we remember:
among friends, gathered round a table,
Jesus took bread,
gave thanks for all the blessings in his life,
and broke the bread.
Quiet
Then he shared it with his friends,
inviting them to eat.

Again, we remember:
Jesus poured a cup of wine
and shared it with his friends,
inviting them to drink.
Then he gave thanks.
Quiet

Celebrant           With our cup full and bread broken may the Spirit within us
All                       be a source of healing and consolation.

Celebrant           May the Spirit within us
All                      strengthen us when we feel weak,
                            warm us when we are cold-hearted,
                            bend us when we are stubborn,
                            move us when we are uncaring,
                            guide us in the way of love.

Celebrant           May the Spirit within us
All                      shine in all we do. Amen.

This version by Patty and Emmy Lou...my word. 

"Mary you're covered in roses, you're covered in ashes
You're covered in rain..."











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