Throughout the service, the people’s responses are in italics.
We begin our service today in silence.
The Opening Acclamation
Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Kyrie
The people sit.
A Reading from The Prophet Isaiah
Shout for all you are worth, raise your voice like a trumpet! Proclaim to the people their faults, tell the house of Leah and Rachel and Jacob their sins! They seek me daily, they long to know my ways, like a nation that wants to act with integrity and not ignore the Law of its God. They ask me for laws that are just, they long for God to draw near. Yet they say, ‘Why should we fast if you never see it? Why do penance if you never notice?’ Because when you fast, it’s business as usual, and you oppress all your workers! Because when you fast, you quarrel and fight and strike the poor with your fist! Fasting like yours today will never make your voice heard on high! Is that the sort of fast that pleases me — a day when people humiliate themselves, hanging their heads like a reed, lying down on sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call fasting, a day acceptable to the Ground of All Being? On the contrary!
This is the sort of fast that pleases me: Remove the chains of injustice! Undo the ropes of the yoke! Let those who are oppressed go free, and break every yoke you encounter! Share your bread with those who are hungry, and shelter homeless poor people! Clothe those who are naked, and don’t hide from the needs of your own flesh and blood! Do this, and your light will shine like the dawn — and your healing will break forth like lightning! Your integrity will go before you, and the glory of the God of Israel will be your rearguard.
Cry, and the Ground of All Being will answer; call, and God will say, ‘I am here’ — provided you remove from your midst all oppression, finger pointing, and malicious talk! If you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your shadows will become like noon. The God of Israel will always guide you, giving relief in desert places. God will give strength to your bones and you will be like a watered garden, like a spring of water whose waters never run dry. You will rebuild the ancient ruins, and build upon age-old foundations. You will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, and Restorer of Ruined Neighborhoods.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 103:8-14
Antiphon sung once by the choir and then by the congregation, then repeat as indicated. Plainsong can seem complicated, but it is easy to pick up. If you like, you can sing with the choir on the verses, or just join in on the antiphon. The slashes and accent marks in the text correspond with the accent marks below the notes in the music. The first two notes are only sung on the words that are italicized.
You are full of compassion and mér – cy, *
slow to anger and of / great kińd – ness.
You will not always ac – cúse us, *
nor will you keep your / anger for év – er.
Antiphon.
You have not dealt with us according to our sińs, *
nor rewarded us according to / our wićk – ed – ness.
For as the heavens are high above the eárth, *
so is your mercy great upon those / who féar you.
Antiphon.
As far as the east is from the wést, *
so far have you removed / our sińs from us.
As parents care for their chíldren, *
so do you, O God, care for those / who féar you.
Antiphon.
A Reading from Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians
We implore you in Christ’s name: be reconciled to God. For our sake, God made the One who was without sin to be sin, so that by this means we might become the very holiness of God.
As Christ’s coworkers we beg you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For God says through Isaiah, “At the acceptable time I heard you, and on the day of salvation I helped you.” Now is the acceptable time! Now is the day of salvation!
We take pains to avoid giving offense to anyone, for we don’t want our ministry to be blamed. Instead, in all that we do we try to present ourselves as ministers of God, acting with patient endurance amid trials, difficulties, distresses, beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger. We conduct ourselves with innocence, knowledge, patience and kindness in the Holy Spirit, in sincere love, with the message of truth and the power of God, wielding the weapons of justice with both right hand and left —regardless of whether we are honored or dishonored, spoken of favorably or unfavorably. We are called impostors, yet we are truthful; we are called unknowns, yet we are famous; we are said to be dying, yet we are alive; punished, but not put to death; sorrowful, though we are always rejoicing; poor, yet we enrich many. We seem to have nothing, yet we possess everything!
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
Thanks be to God.
Beyond the Snow Belt
by Mary Oliver
Over the local stations, one by one,
Announcers list disasters like dark poems
That always happen in the skull of winter.
But once again the storm has passed us by:
Lovely and moderate, the snow lies down
While shouting children hurry back to play,
And scarved and smiling citizens once more
Sweep down their easy paths of pride and welcome.
And what else might we do? Let us be truthful.
Two counties north the storm has taken lives.
Two counties north, to us, is far away —
A land of trees, a wing upon a map,
A wild place never visited, so we
Forget with ease each far mortality.
Peacefully from our frozen yards we watch
Our children running on the mild white hills.
This is the landscape that we understand —
And till the principle of things takes root,
How shall examples move us from our calm?
I do not say that it is not a fault.
I only say, except as we have loved,
All news arrives as from a distant land.
The people stand and sing.
Gospel Hymn #888 (WLP) Almighty Lord Most High Draw Near
The Gospel
The Holy Gospel of Our Savior Jesus Christ According To Matthew
Glory to You, O Christ.
Jesus said: “Beware of practicing your piety before others to attract their attention; if you do this, you will have no reward from your Abba God in heaven. “When you do acts of charity, for example, don’t have it trumpeted before you; that is what hypocrites do in the synagogues and the streets, that they may be praised by others. The truth is, they’ve already received their reward in full. But when you do acts of charity, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing; your good deeds must be done in secret, and your Abba God—who sees all that is done in secret—will repay you. “And when you pray, don’t behave like the hypocrites; they love to pray standing up in the synagogues and on street corners for people to see them. The truth is, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go to your room, shut the door, and pray to God who is in that secret place, and your Abba God—who sees all that is done in secret—will reward you.
“And when you fast, don’t look depressed like the hypocrites. They deliberately neglect their appearance to let everyone know that they are fasting. The truth is, they have already received their reward. But when you fast, brush your hair and wash your face. Don’t let anyone know you’re fasting except your Abba God, who sees all that is done in secret. And Abba God—who sees everything that is done in secret—will reward you. “Don’t store up earthly treasures for yourselves, which moths and rust destroy and thieves can break in and steal. But store up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where neither moth nor rust can destroy them and thieves cannot break in and steal them. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be as well.
The Gospel of Our Savior.
Praise to you, O Christ.
The people sit for the Homily.
The Homily
The people stand.
Invitation to a Holy Lent
Dear People of God: The first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Savior’s passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a season of penitence and fasting. This season of Lent provided a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism. It was also a time when those who, because of notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to the fellowship of the Church. Thereby, the whole congregation was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need which all Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith.
I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word. And, to make a right beginning of repentance, and as a mark of our mortal nature, let us now kneel before God, our maker and redeemer.
Silence is then kept for a time, all kneeling. The Celebrant then blesses the ashes.
Almighty God, you have created us out of the dust of the earth: Grant that these ashes may be to us a sign of our mortality and penitence, that we may remember that it is only by your gracious gift that we are given everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Please come forward and form a circle around the altar for the Imposition of Ashes.
Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.
Psalm 51
Said together.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving-kindness; *
in your great compassion blot out my offenses.
Wash me through and through from my wickedness *
and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions, *
and my sin is ever before me.
Against you only have I sinned *
and done what is evil in your sight.
And so you are justified when you speak *
and upright in your judgment.
Indeed, I have been wicked from my birth, *
a sinner from my mother’s womb.
For behold, you look for truth deep within me, *
and will make me understand wisdom secretly.
Purge me from my sin, and I shall be pure; *
wash me, and I shall be clean indeed.
Make me hear of joy and gladness, *
that the body you have broken may rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins *
and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, *
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence *
and take not your holy Spirit from me.
Give me the joy of your saving help again *
and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.
I shall teach your ways to the wicked, *
and sinners shall return to you.
Deliver me from death, O God, *
and my tongue shall sing of your righteousness, O God of my salvation.
Open my lips, O God, *
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Had you desired it, I would have offered sacrifice; *
but you take no delight in burnt-offerings.
The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit; *
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Litany of Penitence
The Deacon, Intercessor and People together, all kneeling
Most holy and merciful God: We confess to you and to one another, and to the whole communion of saints in heaven and on earth, that we have sinned by our own fault in thought, word, and deed; by what we have done, and by what we have left undone.
The Deacon and Intercessor continue
We have not loved you with our whole heart, and mind, and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not forgiven others, as we have been forgiven.
Have mercy on us, O God.
We have been deaf to your call to serve, as Christ served us. We have not been true to the mind of Christ. We have grieved your Holy Spirit.
Have mercy on us, O God.
We confess to you, O God, all our past unfaithfulness: the pride, hypocrisy, and impatience of our lives,
We confess to you, O God.
Our self-indulgent appetites and ways, and our exploitation of other people,
We confess to you, O God.
Our anger at our own frustration, and our envy of those more fortunate than ourselves,
We confess to you, O God.
Our intemperate love of worldly goods and comforts, and our dishonesty in daily life and work,
We confess to you, O God.
Our negligence in prayer and worship, and our failure to commend the faith that is in us,
We confess to you, O God.
Accept our repentance, O God, for the wrongs we have done: for our blindness to human need and suffering, and our indifference to injustice and cruelty,
Accept our repentance, O God.
For all false judgments, for uncharitable thoughts toward our neighbors, and for our prejudice and contempt toward those who differ from us,
Accept our repentance, O God.
For our waste and pollution of your creation, and our lack of concern for those who come after us,
Accept our repentance, O God.
Restore us, good God, and let your anger depart from us;
Favorably hear us, for your mercy is great.
Accomplish in us the work of your salvation,
That we may show forth your glory in the world.
By the cross and passion of your Son our Savior,
Bring us with all your saints to the joy of his resurrection.
The Priest, stands and, facing the people, says
Almighty God, coeternal in the Holy Trinity with our Savior Jesus Christ, who desires not the death of sinners, but rather that they may turn from their wickedness and live, You have given power and commandment to the Church’s ministers to declare and pronounce to Your people, being penitent, the absolution and remission of their sins. You pardon and absolves all those who truly repent, and with sincere hearts believe Your holy Gospel.
Therefore we beseech You to grant us true repentance and the Holy Spirit, that those things may please You which we do on this day, and that the rest of our lives hereafter may be pure and holy, so that at the last we may come to Your eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Please stand for the peace.
The Peace
The peace of God be with you.
And also with you.
Offertory Anthem: Miserere mei Deus
Text: Psalm 51:1. Music: Antonio Lotti (1667-1740).
Have mercy upon me, O God, after Thy great goodness
According to the multitude of Thy mercies do away mine offences.
The Holy Eucharist
Please stand.
It is truly right, and good and joyful, to give you thanks, all holy God, source of life and fountain of mercy. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who was tempted in every way as we are, yet did not sin. By his grace we are able to triumph over every evil, and to live no longer for ourselves alone, but for him who died for us and rose again. Therefore, joining with Angels and Archangels and with the faithful of every generation, we lift our voices with all creation as we sing:
Sanctus
Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of the universe and giver of life. You formed us in your own image and called us to dwell in your infinite love. You gave the world into our care that we might be your faithful stewards and show forth your bountiful grace. But we failed to honor your image in one another and in ourselves; we would not see your goodness in the world around us; and so we violated your creation, abused one another, and rejected your love. Yet you never ceased to care for us, and prepared the way of salvation for all people.
Through Abraham and Sarah you called us into covenant with you. You delivered us from slavery, sustained us in the wilderness, and raised up prophets to renew your promise of salvation. Then, in the fullness of time, you sent your eternal Word, made mortal flesh in Jesus. Born into the human family, and dwelling among us, he revealed your glory. Giving himself freely to death on the cross, he triumphed over evil, opening the way of freedom and life.
On the night before he died for us, Our Savior Jesus Christ took bread, and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his friends, and said: “Take, eat: This is my Body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
As supper was ending, Jesus took the cup of wine, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said: “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Celebrant and People
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
Remembering his death and resurrection, we now present to you from your creation this bread and this wine. By your Holy Spirit may they be for us the Body and Blood of our Savior Jesus Christ. Grant that we who share these gifts may be filled with the Holy Spirit and live as Christ’s Body in the world. Bring us into the everlasting heritage of your daughters and sons, that with Stephen & Hilda and all your saints, past, present, and yet to come, we may praise your Name for ever.
Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, to you be honor, glory, and praise, for ever and ever. AMEN.
Now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say:
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, and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread
Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast.
The Fraction Anthem
The people are invited to come forward for communion.
Communion Hymn #701 (Hymnal 1982) Jesus, all my gladness
Found in the Blue Hymnal 1982 in your pew.
Postcommunion Prayer
The people stand and remain standing until the end of the service.
Almighty and everliving God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom. And now, Holy and Gracious God, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Savior. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Blessing
Grant, most merciful God, to your faithful people pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve you with a quiet mind; through Christ our Savior. Amen.
Closing Hymn #559 (Hymnal 1982) Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us
Found in the Blue Hymnal 1982 in your pew.
Dismissal
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.