Liturgy for Ash Wednesday
Introduction
Ash Wednesday marks a decisive turn in the Christian year. Having glimpsed Christ’s glory on the mount of Transfiguration, the church now descends into Lent, a season shaped by honesty, repentance, and grace. Ash Wednesday does not begin with optimism, but with truth: we are mortal, we are fragile, and we are in need of mercy. Yet this day is not without hope. It is an invitation to return—to God who is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.
This liturgy follows the Revised Common Lectionary for Ash Wednesday (Year A) and is shaped by themes of repentance, reconciliation, humility, and God’s restoring grace.
The Lectionary Readings at a Glance
The readings for Ash Wednesday call God’s people to return—not through outward display, but through honest repentance and renewed trust in God’s mercy.
In Joel 2:1–2, 12–17, the prophet sounds an urgent alarm and calls the people to turn back to God with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Yet the call to repentance is grounded not in fear, but in God’s character: gracious, merciful, and ready to forgive.
Isaiah 58:1–12 offers a searching critique of hollow religiosity. God rejects fasting that ignores injustice and instead calls for lives marked by compassion, generosity, and repair. True repentance reshapes how God’s people live with and for others.
Psalm 51:1–17 gives voice to confession from the depths of the heart. The psalmist pleads not for avoidance of consequences, but for a clean heart, a renewed spirit, and restored relationship with God.
In 2 Corinthians 5:20b–6:10, Paul urges reconciliation with God and reminds the church that now is the day of salvation. God’s grace meets human weakness with endurance, hope, and transforming power.
Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21 places repentance firmly within daily life. Jesus warns against performative piety and calls for practices of prayer, fasting, and generosity that are rooted in sincerity and trust before God.
Together, these readings frame Lent as a journey of return—marked by humility, honesty, and the promise of renewal.
Call to Worship
One: Return to the Lord your God, for God is gracious and merciful.
All: We return with honest hearts, seeking mercy and renewal.
One: Now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation.
All: We come, trusting in God’s reconciling grace.
One: Come, let us worship the Lord with humility and truth.
All: Let us seek God with our whole hearts.
Opening Prayer
Merciful and faithful God,
You know our weakness and our wandering. You know how easily we hide and how often we resist the truth. As we begin this Lenten journey, meet us with your grace. Create in us clean hearts, restore us by your Spirit, and draw us again into right relationship with you. Through Jesus Christ, our reconciler, Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Holy and compassionate God,
We confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed. We have trusted in ourselves instead of you, sought approval instead of faithfulness, and avoided the hard work of repentance. We have turned away from our neighbors and ignored the cries of those in need. Forgive us, O God. Break our hearts open, not to shame us, but to heal us. Restore us by your mercy and lead us in the way of Christ. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Hear the good news: “If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven, reconciled, and invited into new life.
Thanks be to God!
Prayer for Illumination
God of truth and mercy,
As your Word is read and proclaimed, strip away what is false and form in us what is true. Help us to hear your call to return and to trust the grace that meets us there. By your Spirit, lead us into repentance that gives way to life. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Prayers of the People
God of mercy and renewal,
We come before you aware of our frailty and need. We pray for your church, that it may walk the way of repentance with humility and hope. We pray for a world marked by injustice and suffering, that your mercy may bring healing and reconciliation. We pray for those who feel burdened by guilt, grief, or fear, that they may know your compassion and care. As we enter this Lenten season, shape us into people of honesty, generosity, and faithful love. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Closing Prayer
Eternal God,
You have called us to return, and you meet us with mercy. As we go from this place, remind us of our mortality and of your grace that is stronger than death. Walk with us through this Lenten journey, shaping us by repentance and hope, until we are made new in Christ. Amen.
