Ash Wednesday Service

Matthew 6:16–21 (NASB 2020) pew bible pg. 657

16 “Now whenever you fast, do not make a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they distort their faces so that they will be noticed by people when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.

17 But as for you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,

18 so that your fasting will not be noticed by people but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;

21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

What is Ash Wednesday?

Ash Wednesday is a significant way to begin the season of Lent.

It begins our journey to the triumphal entry and the cross.

The purpose of this season of Lent is to move into a deeper life of prayer.

The tradition of ashes during the Ash Wednesday service serve a couple of purposes

To remind us of the truth that life is short and we are utterly dependent upon God.

They also remind us “for you are dust, and to dust your shall return.”

This statement is from Genesis 3:19

Genesis 3:19 (NASB 2020)

By the sweat of your face You shall eat bread, Until you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return.”

We are also telling the world that we are among the ones who identify with Christ.

Galatians 2:20

Galatians 2:20 NASB 2020

20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

The Imposition of Ashes

There is a Psalm that fits with this the tradition of Ash Wednesday Psalm 51:1-17 pew bible pg. 382

Psalm 51:1–17 NASB 2020

1 Be gracious to me, God, according to Your faithfulness; According to the greatness of Your compassion, wipe out my wrongdoings. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my guilt And cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my wrongdoings, And my sin is constantly before me. 4 Against You, You only, I have sinned And done what is evil in Your sight, So that You are justified when You speak And blameless when You judge. 5 Behold, I was brought forth in guilt, And in sin my mother conceived me. 6 Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in secret You will make wisdom known to me. 7 Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; Cleanse me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness, Let the bones You have broken rejoice. 9 Hide Your face from my sins And wipe out all my guilty deeds. 10 Create in me a clean heart, God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And sustain me with a willing spirit. 13 Then I will teach wrongdoers Your ways, And sinners will be converted to You. 14 Save me from the guilt of bloodshed, God, the God of my salvation; Then my tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness. 15 Lord, open my lips, So that my mouth may declare Your praise. 16 For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You do not take pleasure in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, God, You will not despise.

In verses 1-7 we find the Psalmist confessed sins to God.

Confession is an essential part of our relationship with God

Take the paper I gave you when you came in and write a confession on it. Something you feel you need to confess to God

Then fold it you will bring up front in a minute

You know in verses 7-14 after the Psalmist confessed sins, the Psalmist then writes a petition to God

For purity, joy, a clean heart, a return to joy, and deliverance from violence

Then in verses 15-17 we see forgiveness

The Psalmist is assured of God’s forgiveness, and although broken in spirit is willing to serve God

So now come to the front bring your paper and place in this pot. Then take this paper and put your finger in the water, and then dip in the ashes, and put a cross on the paper.

Remember that from dust you were formed, and to dust you shall return.

Now you have a reminder that forgiveness is greater than our transgression.

I will now burn the papers in the pot. These will part of the ashes we use next year.

Benediction

Go now into this holy season in the power of the holy spirit to bear witness to the Savior who gave Himself for us. And may the peace of Christ be with you.