PSPC Worship Service

On Ash Wednesday, heavenly Father, give us repentant hearts as we prepare to travel the Lenten road your Son took to the cross for us. Amen.

One: God sent Christ into the world not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.
Many: Godt others to know it.
One: We urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain.
Many: We confess the propensity to focus on how much we give of ourselves.
One: For our sake God made him to be sin who knew no sin.
Many: We confess our prayers lack sincerity unless there is something we want.
One: So that in

Many: Almighty God, you despise nothing you have made and you forgive the sins of all who are humble themselves before you. Create in us new and contrite hearts, that truly repenting of our sins, and acknowledging our brokenness, we may obtain from you, the God of all mercy, full pardon and forgiveness; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

One: Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love;
Many: According to your abundant mercy, blot out my transgressions.
One: Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
Many: For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
One: Against you, you only have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight,
Many: so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless in your judgment.
One: Behold, you desire truth in the inward being; teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
Many: Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.
One: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Many: Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
One: Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit.
Many: For you have no delight in sacrifices; if I were to give a burnt offering you would not be pleased.
One: The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit;
Many: A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Restore us, O God, for your mercy is great.

One: We entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
Many: We confess that when we practice our piety we want others to know it.
One: We urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain.
Many: We confess the propensity to focus on how much we give of ourselves.
One: For our sake God made him to be sin who knew no sin.
Many: We confess our prayers lack sincerity unless there is something we want.
One: So that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Many: The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Paul reminds us that 

Almighty God, you have created us out of the dust of the earth. May these ashes be for us a sign of our mortality and penitence. and a reminder that only by your gracious gift are we given everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.