Ash Wednesday February 14, 2018
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church Sahuarita, Arizona
Season of Lent The Lenten Season is observed during the six weeks prior to Easter. The traditional goal of Lent is to prepare believers for a proper celebration of the events of Holy Week, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The purple color of the altar paraments and vestments remind us that Lent is also a season of repentance. The Bible tells us that repentance is always the divine work of the Holy Spirit through the Law and the Gospel. The Law crucifies the old Adam, the sinful nature within us, and the Gospel raises up the new man, the new creation in us. For us, the Lenten focus on the cross and suffering of Jesus is not aimed at an emotional response. It is a pointed proclamation and confession of the Law and the Gospel, a preaching of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Lent is properly a season of repentance when it brings the cross to sinners and sinners to the cross of Christ as the fountain and source of forgiveness, life, and salvation. When we speak or preach from the “Passion of Christ,” we are speaking or preaching about Christ’s suffering and death on Calvary’s cross for the sins of the world. Yes, the Passion is about the purple robe and the crown of thorns; Christ carrying his cross; the soldiers with their hammers, the nails, and the spear; and Christ’s words from the cross. But more than the objects and events, the Passion is about Jesus taking on himself the sins of the world and then experiencing to the fullest degree the Father’s just wrath upon that sin. It is about forgiveness and salvation graciously offered in view of the shed blood of Calvary.
Ash Wednesday Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent. Ashes were used by God’s people to show repentance. The day derives its name from the practice of repentant people receiving ashes on their forehead. This practice goes back to at least the 8th century A.D.
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WELCOME
HYMN
Enslaved by Sin and Bound in Chains Christian Worship #102
Please stand
INVOCATION Minister: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, ( ) and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
CONFESSION OF SINS Minister: Our help is in the name of the Lord, Congregation: who made heaven and earth. M: Let us confess our sins in the presence of God and of one another.
Silence for self-examination
M: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, C: we have sinned against you in our thoughts, in our words, in our deeds, and in all that we have not done. Forgive us in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Deliver and restore us, that we may rest in peace. M: Because of God's mercy we are redeemed by Jesus Christ, and in him we are forgiven. Let his peace rest upon us as we serve him with newness of life. C: Amen.
Please be seated
FIRST LESSON The Lord sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said, “There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle, but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even
2 Samuel 12:1-13 slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him. Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him.� David burned with anger against the 2
man and said to Nathan, “As surely as the Lord lives, the man who did this must die! He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.” Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. I gave your master’s house to you, and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you all Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. Why did you despise the word of the Lord by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be
your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’ This is what the Lord says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’” Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die.”
RESPONSIVE READING FROM PSALM 51 M: C:
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love.
M: C:
Wash away all my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
M: C:
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
M: C:
Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.
M: C:
Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
M: C:
Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquity.
M: C:
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
PSALM PRAYER M: C:
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Almighty and merciful Father, you freely forgive those who, as David of old, acknowledge and confess their sins. Create in us pure hearts, and wash away all our sins in the blood of your dear Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SECOND LESSON Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then some young
Acts 5:1-11 men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.” Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.
Please stand
GOSPEL To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
Luke 18:9-14 But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Please be seated
HYMN
SERMON In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s
Lord, to You I Make Confession Christian Worship #302
Hebrews 1:1-3 Jesus Christ Is Our Great High Priest glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4
OFFERING Members of Grace respond to their Savior’s love with offerings that are given joyfully, generously, regularly, and in a way that is proportionate to how the Lord has blessed them. Their cheerful gifts support the mission and ministry of our congregation. If you are a guest today, please know that we do not expect you to contribute to our congregation’s work. However, if you would like to give an offering to the Lord in response to his love to you, we are happy to receive it and put it to work in God’s kingdom. Please fill out the Friendship Register located in the red folder at the end of the row and pass it along. Thank You! If you prefer, use your smart phone to give online by scanning this QR code.
Please stand
PRAYER
LORD'S PRAYER C: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.
THE LORD'S SUPPER Today we celebrate the Lord's Supper. Jesus urges all who receive it to do so in a worthy manner in order to receive the blessings he promises. He also gives warning that no one receive it to their judgment. If you are a guest at Grace today and not a member of another Wisconsin Synod congregation, we would ask that you speak with one of the pastors about a time to discuss what exactly God says about Holy Communion before you come to the Lord's table. We look forward to that opportunity!
WORDS OF INSTITUTION M: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” The peace of the Lord be with you always. C: Amen.
Please be seated
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DISTRIBUTION
Please stand
CLOSING PRAYER M:
C:
Lord we thank you for this hour of worship—for speaking to us in your Word, for refreshing us with the Sacrament and for giving us opportunity to praise your holy name. Be with us as we leave your house to live for you. Amen.
BLESSING M:
C:
The Lord bless you and keep you, The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with favor ( ) and give you peace. Amen.
Please be seated
CLOSING HYMN
Jesus, My Great High Priest Christian Worship #359
THOSE ASSISTING IN WORSHIP TODAY Worship Leader ........................................................................... Pastor Ryan Heiman Accompanist ....................................................................................... Laura Heiman Ushers ........................................................ Bill Jacobs (10:00 AM), Steve Hiles (7:00 PM)
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Lenten Services Wednesday midweek services will be held at Grace-Benson, GraceSahuarita, and Grace-Tucson every Wednesday through March 21. The theme for our services is “Jesus Christ Is Our Great High Priest.” The sermons and service themes will rotate among the various sites, so worshipers who attend more than one site could hear a sermon repeated. See the schedule below for next week. February 21 Grace-Benson
6 PM 7 PM
Supper Lenten Worship
“Jesus Our Great High Priest Makes Us Priests”
Grace-Sahuarita 10 AM Lenten Worship 6 PM Supper 7 PM Lenten Worship
“Jesus Is Our Self-Sacrificing High Priest”
Grace-Tucson
“Jesus Is Our Perfect High Priest”
10 AM Lenten Worship 6 PM Supper 7 PM Lenten Worship
“Jesus Is Our Self-Sacrificing High Priest”
“Jesus Is Our Perfect High Priest”
Holy Week Schedule Maundy Thursday
Easter Sunday
Thursday, March 29
Sunday, April 1
10:00 AM & 7:00 PM at Grace-Tucson 7:00 PM at Grace-Benson 7:00 PM at Grace-Sahuarita
Grace-Benson Sunrise Worship—7:30 AM Easter Breakfast—8:30 AM
Good Friday
Grace-Sahuarita Outdoor Festival Worship—9:00 AM Easter Breakfast—10:00 AM
Friday, March 30 7:00 PM at Grace-Sahuarita Tenebrae Service (Service of Darkness) 7:00 PM at Grace-Tucson Worshippers are asked to leave this church service in silence, leaving in stillness and darkness until the dawn of a glorious Easter Day. Please visit with friends and family prior to entering church for worship.
Grace-Tucson Sunrise Worship—7:00 AM Easter Breakfast—8:00 AM Easter Concert—9:00 AM Festival Worship—10:00 AM Grace-Vail Easter Breakfast—9:00 AM Festival Worship—10:00 AM
Grace-Sahuarita Pastor Ryan Heiman 520-999-0245 (cell) Email: revrah@gracelutheransaz.org www.GraceLutheranSAZ.org