WINTERLUDE WEEKEND-DAY ONE WAS AMAZING!

St. Mark's & St. David's 
WINTERLUDE WEEKEND
Day 1 February 28th 2015
St. Mark's-Parking Lot Hockey, Lunch! and then Indoor Floor Curling

Annabel and Connie served a fabulous lunch

ANNOUNCEMENTS SUNDAY MARCH 1ST 2015

Participating through leadership in worship this morning are:

Organist: Al Fougere

Lay Reader (St. M.): Rachel Robitaille

(St. D.): Malcolm Parsons

Lenten Triad (St. M.): Elizabeth Langdon

(St. D.): Kenzie Mac Lean

Greeters & Collectors (St. M.): Andy Palmer, Angus Mac Rae

Greeters (St. D.): Sally & George Fox

Collectors (St. D.): Sally Fox, Heather Deschenes

OFFICE HOURS:

Monday 9-12 noon, Nan at St. Mark’s

Tuesday 9-12 noon, Nan at St. Mark’s

Wednesday 9-12 noon Nan at St. David’s, Jane at St. Mark’s

Thursday 9 – 12 noon Jane at St. Mark’s

Friday – Minister’s Day Off, 9-12 noon Jane at St. Mark’s

Note of Thanks

To everyone who has supported us following the death of Nan's mother, Elizabeth Ann (Betty) Gowing, we would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation. Your many acts of kindness and sympathy continue to be a great comfort to us in our time of sorrow. 

Nan & Bruce 

Prayer Shawl Knitting Circle Knitters and crocheters gather together in the parlour of St. Mark’s on the 3^rd Monday of each month. Next time of gathering is March 16th at 1:00 p.m.

Wednesdays in Lent, 10:00 a.m. Half hour Scripture, Song & Silence, St. David's, Port Hastings.

April 2nd, Maundy Thursday Potluck supper and Table Communion, 6:00 p.m. St. David's Port Hastings

April 3rd Good Friday worship 11:00 a.m. St. Mark's Port Hawkesbury

April 5th Easter Sunrise St. David's 6:30 a.m., followed by breakfast at Port Hastings Firehall

April 5th Easter Sacrament of Communion St. Mark's 9:30 a.m.; St. David's 11:00 a.m.

Copies of “The Upper Room” for March- April are available.

Donations for the Food Bank are received on the last Sunday of the month.

**********

ST. MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

St. Mark’s Welcomes You! Refreshments in the church hall following worship—please join us!

There is a quiet nursery space above the stage in the hall—reached via the stairs by the church office door. There you will find toys, change table, crib, rocking chair for your use. We’re so glad you came today.

St. Mark’s Courtesy Car: Contact person for the Courtesy Car is Andy Palmer. His telephone number is 625-2748.

FundScrip Order Sundays will be March 8^th  and 22^nd and Delivery Sundays will be March 1^st, 15^th and 29^th , 2015.

March Promotions are as follows:

M & M Meat Shops                         4%                             Regular 3%

PetSmart                                      4%                             Regular 2%

Teriyaki Experience                       12%                           Regular 10%

 Please contact Patsy Brander at 902-625-1062 or Bonnie Dawson at 902-625-3838 if you have any questions.

Lay Readers:

March 8^th – Brenda Mac Innis

March 15^th – Jean Mac Pherson

March 22^nd – Vida Hood

March 29^th – Connie Fowlie

March 15^th – 8:00 a.m.; St. Mark’s Men’s Group Breakfast

March 17^th – St. Mark’s Congregational Board Meeting

**********

ST. DAVID’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lay Readers:

March 8^th – Margaret Ashford

March 15^th –Alicia Vink

March 22^nd – Kenzie Mac Lean

March 29^th – Kevin Pierce

Sunday School Classes will resume on March 29^th.

Anyone who is interested in participating in a ski trip to Ben Eoin asked to contact Alicia Vink at alicia.vink@bellaliant.net

St. David’s UCW Have placed a box in the narthex for new or gently used womens & children’s scarves, mittens, gloves, hats and or socks. These will be sent to the Brunswick Street Mission in Halifax once enough have been collected.

Church Hall Cleaners for March are Maxine Smith, Diane Mac Kinnon

**********

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Trivia Night:  The Port Hastings Historical Society will host trivia night on Saturday March 28th at 7pm in the Port Hawkesbury Fire Hall.  Admission is $5 person (teams of 4). Categories include general trivia, sports, entertainment and more.  Prizes for the top team.  Proceeds support the Port Hastings Museum.

ORDER OF SERVICE-SUNDAY MARCH 1ST, 2015-LENT 2

The Congregations of St. Mark’s and St. David’s
United Church of Canada

Port Hawkesbury/Port Hastings, NS

Office: 625-2229, Fax 625-3597, 

e-mail: stmarks1@eastlink.ca

Blog: http://ourcontactonline.blogspot.com/

Presbytery Website: inverguyunited.ca

Ministers: The Whole People of God; Nan Corrigan D. M.

Minister of Music: Al Fougere

March 1st, 2015-2nd Sunday of Lent

Announcements The Work of Church and Community

The liturgy for Lent follows traditional lines though it is written in a pattern to employ a “river” theme

REFLECT

Greeting
One: The peace of Christ be with you. All: And with your spirit

Introit      Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery, v. 2      VU 121

Poem “Blessing”      For quiet reflection as we gather

After all these years,

after so much yearning,

endless disappointments,

and unfulfilled dreams

– now a blessing;

and with it, a change of name.

Do I put aside all of my past,

the woman I have been,

the pains I have endured,

and become someone totally new?

Or keep it all,

but the I

who was assured a forlorn finish,

and avail myself

of a different ending?

© Neryl McCallum

INVITE

Call to Worship At the 2nd bend in the river...a place of “elders”

People of God, we gather again:
in this sacred space, in this sacred moment.
Just for a time leave daily concerns aside,
for here we recall the stories of faith,
here we see God moving amongst us,
here we are known by name,
here we remember whose we are.

*Hymn      Great Is Thy Faithfulness      VU 288

Lenten Triad Candle Extinguishing (Tenebrae) (Four purple candles, pink candle, and Christ candle are lighted prior to worship.)

Adult: ... We have so often trusted in our own strength. (2nd candle is extinguished.)

Let us pray:

All: O God, we confess that we have put our hope in many things –
our families, our jobs, our friends, and our possessions.
Help us to focus ourselves and put our trust in you.
Give us strength to live up to the promises
we have made as your covenant people.
May your constant love be with us
as we put our hope in you. Amen.

Sung Assurance      Like a Mighty River Flowing, v. 2      VU 267

VOICE

Genesis 17:1–7, 15–16      Covenant between Abram, Sarai, and God.

One: This is the witness of the Hebrew people. All: Thanks be to God.

Psalm 22:23–31 You have not hidden your face, O God. VU 746

*Hymn      To Abraham and Sarah      VU 634

Opening the Word & Lord’s Prayer

Responsive reading

A: When Abram was ninety-nine
B: …old, nearly dead,
A: Yahweh appeared to him
B: …as in many times before
A: and as they walked
B: …and spoke
A: Yahweh bound them together
B: …in covenant.
A: Abram was changed
B: …in name and nature,
A: for God promised
B: …a future,
A: an everlasting bond between God and humanity
B: …for all generations and for all time,
A: made firm as Sarai,
B: …who was childless,
A: became Sarah,
B: …a mother,
A: and took her place in the eternal flow of the divine life of faith.

A Reading of the Poem “Blessing”

Prayer

And so, God, here we are, ready to see you walking amongst us, ready to hear you calling our names and to acknowledge our true nature, seeking the assurance of that long ago promise, that you will abide with us for all our days, and be a loving presence to all your children for time eternal. Amen.

ENGAGE

*Hymn      O Jesus, I Have Promised      VU 120

Minute for Mission & Offering Our Gifts to God

*Offering Prayer
Just as you are the God who knows us by name, so are you the God who knows all those in need by name. May these, our gifts, be a beacon of light to those are in need. Amen.

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession

REALIZE

*Hymn            When We Are Living              VU 581

*Commissioning

*Choral Amen

WEEKLY LENTEN REFLECTION-MARCH 1ST

March 1

Genesis 17:1–7, 15–16

In this week’s focus scripture, God makes a covenant with Abram and promises he will be fruitful – he and his wife Sarai will be the parents of nations to come. God changes their names to Abraham and Sarah to signify the change of course in their lives. God identifies Godself as “God Almighty.” Almighty can mean both mountains and breasts in Hebrew, emphasizing the connection between God’s people and God’s creation.

This week, identify a personal practice that you might take on throughout the week, or throughout the remain­der of Lent that reflects our connection to all of God’s cre­ation. For example: use canvas bags when shopping in­stead of plastic ones, save your fruit and vegetable scraps in the freezer and give them to a composting program, before you put an item in the trash consider whether you can recycle it, reuse it for another purpose, or even repair it if it’s broken.

 Longing for Home--Moderator's Lenten Study

  http://www.garypaterson.ca/2015/02/23/longing-for-home-lenten-study-week-2/

FUNDSCRIP FOR MARCH

FundScrip Order Sundays will be March 8^th  and 22^nd and Delivery Sundays will be March 1^st, 15^thand 29^th , 2015.

March Promotions are as follows:

M & M Meat Shops                       4%                             Regular 3%

PetSmart                                      4%                             Regular 2%

Teriyaki Experience                       12%                           Regular 10%

Please contact Patsy Brander at 902-625-1062 or Bonnie Dawson at 902-625-3838 if you have any questions.

ANNOUNCEMENTS SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22ND 2015

Participating through leadership in worship this morning are:

Organist: Al Fougere

Lay Reader (St. M.): Dave Chapman

(St. D.): Maxine Smith

Lenten Triad (St. M.): Heather Brander, Rebecca Roussey

(St. D.): Julia Mac Kinnon

Greeters & Collectors (St. M.): Jim & Sarah Chiasson

Greeters (St. D.): Maxine Smith

Collectors (St. D.): Ashley Mac Leod, Marie Davis

OFFICE HOURS:

Monday 9-12 noon, Nan at St. Mark’s

Tuesday 9-12 noon, Nan at St. Mark’s

Wednesday 9-12 noon Nan at St. David’s, Jane at St. Mark’s

Thursday 9 – 12 noon Jane at St. Mark’s

Friday – Minister’s Day Off, 9-12 noon Jane at St. Mark’s

Note of Thanks

To everyone who has supported us following the death of Nan's mother, Elizabeth Ann (Betty) Gowing, we would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation. Your many acts of kindness and sympathy continue to be a great comfort to us in our time of sorrow. 

Nan & Bruce 

Prayer Shawl Knitting Circle Knitters and crocheters gather together in the parlour of St. Mark’s on the 3^rd Monday of each month. Next time of gathering is March 16th at 1:00 p.m.

Wednesdays in Lent, 10:00 a.m. Half hour Scripture, Song & Silence, St. David's, Port Hastings Note: No Service at St. David’s for this week only. Service at the Nursing Home.

Worship centre at Port Hawkesbury Nursing Home Feb 25th

February 25^th - 10:30 a.m. Service at Nursing Home Everyone welcome.

April 2nd, Maundy Thursday Potluck supper and Table Communion, 6:00 p.m. St. David's Port Hastings

April 3rd Good Friday worship 11:00 a.m. St. Mark's Port Hawkesbury

April 5th Easter Sunrise St. David's 6:30 a.m., followed by breakfast at Port Hastings Firehall

April 5th Easter Sacrament of Communion St. Mark's 9:30 a.m.; St. David's 11:00 a.m.

Copies of The Upper Room for March- April are available.

**********

ST. MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

St. Mark’s Welcomes You! Refreshments in the church hall following worship—please join us!

There is a quiet nursery space above the stage in the hall—reached via the stairs by the church office door. There you will find toys, change table, crib, rocking chair for your use. We’re so glad you came today.

St. Mark’s Courtesy Car: Contact person for the Courtesy Car is Andy Palmer. His telephone number is 625-2748.

FundScrip Order Sunday for February will be February 22^nd. The February Promotions are as follows:

la Vie en Rose/                              11% ( Regular 8% )

la Vie en Rose Aqua

Roots/                                          14% (Regular 10% )

Roots Home/Roots Kids

The Gap/Old Navy/                        7% ( Regular 5% )

Banana Republic

Please contact Patsy Brander at 902-625-1062 or Bonnie Dawson at 902-625-3838 if you have any questions about the program or if you wish to join the program.

Lay Readers:

March 1^st – Jim Chiasson

March 8^th – Brenda Mac Innis

March 15^th – Jean Mac Pherson

March 22^nd – Vida Hood

March 29^th – Connie Fowlie

Please Note: Triennial Visit of presbytery Pastoral Care and Oversight Committee Tuesday, February 24th at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mark’s 

What is a Presbytery Oversight Visit?

Oversight visits are part of the Presbytery’s ministry to the Pastoral Charges within its bounds. It is the Presbytery’s responsibility to keep in touch with all Pastoral Charges, supporting in times of

struggle and celebrating and encouraging achievements.

February 22^nd – 7:00 p.m. - Annual Congregational Meeting.

February 24^th – Senior’s Lunch at St. Mark’s. Cancelled! Will be re-scheduled at a later date.

**********

ST. DAVID’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lay Readers:

March 1^st – Malcolm Parsons

March 8^th – Margaret Ashford

March 15^th –Alicia Vink

March 22^nd – Kenzie Mac Lean

March 29^th – Kevin Pierce

St. David’s UCW Have placed a box in the narthex for new or gently used womens & children’s scarves, mittens, gloves, hats and or socks. These will be sent to the Brunswick Street Mission in Halifax once enough have been collected.

Church Hall Cleaners for February are Irene Wheaton & Beryl Mac Donald.

**********

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Trivia Night:  The Port Hastings Historical Society will host trivia night on Saturday February 28th and March 28th at 7pm in the Port Hawkesbury Fire Hall.  Admission is $5 person (teams of 4). Categories include general trivia, sports, entertainment and more.  Prizes for the top team.  Proceeds support the Port Hastings Museum.

ORDER OF SERVICE FEBRUARY 22ND 2015-LENT 1 SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION

The Congregations of St. Mark’s and St. David’s

United Church of Canada

Port Hawkesbury/Port Hastings, NS

Office: 625-2229, Fax 625-3597,

e-mail: stmarks1@eastlink.ca

Blog: http://ourcontactonline.blogspot.com/

Presbytery Website: inverguyunited.ca

Ministers: The Whole People of God; Nan Corrigan D. M.

Minister of Music: Al Fougere

February 22^nd, 2015

1^st Sunday of Lent-Sacrament of Communion

Announcements The Work of Church and Community

The liturgy for Lent follows traditional lines though it is written in a pattern to employ a “river” theme:

R     reflect

I      invite

V     voice

E     engage

R     realize

REFLECT

Greeting

One: The peace of Christ be with you. All: And with your spirit

Introit       Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery, v. 1        VU 121

Poem “Wilderness” For quiet reflection as we gather

Here,

in this demanding place,

accompanied by wild things,

and nourished by nature,

considerations are made clear.

Here,

the echo of your boldly claimed words

“you are my beloved,”

reside with me these forty days,

and I know these words are not just for me,

but are for all things

and is the good news

that I will proclaim.              © Neryl McCallum

INVITE

Call to Worship      At the first bend in the river...The font

People of God, gather around.

In this sacred space, in this sacred moment,

leave your daily concerns aside

for here we recall the stories of faith;

here we see the extraordinary in the ordinary;

here we hear good news;

here we remember whose we are.

*Hymn      Throughout These Lenten Days and Nights      VU 108

Lenten Triad Candle Extinguishing (Tenebrae) (Five purple candles, pink candle, and Christ candle are lighted prior to worship.)

Adult: ...Our choices have not always been wise ones.

Let us pray: All: Creator God, we come before you

as a people who have been tempted and have yielded.

We have fallen to the way of ease,

and lack of concern for future generations.

We have not been good stewards of your creation.

Gracious God, forgive our weakness.

Strengthen and encourage us,

as we journey through our own wilderness experiences. Amen.

Sung Assurance:      Like a Mighty River Flowing Verse 1 VU 267

VOICE

Genesis 9:8–17 The covenant between God and Noah.

One: This is the witness of the Hebrew people. All: Thanks be to God.

Psalm 25:1–10 Lead me in your truth, O God. Refrain 2 VU 752

*Hymn         Shall We Gather at the River          VU 710

Opening the Word & Lord’s Prayer
The Gospel Acclamation

Mark 1:9–15 The baptism, temptation, and mission of Jesus.

A: In those days Jesus came from Nazareth,

B: …leaving home behind,

A: and was baptized by John,

B: …proclaiming his faith.

A: And the spirit descended on him like a dove,

B: …acknowledging his call,

A: and a voice came from Heaven

B: …recognizing his ancestry.

A: He was then driven into the wilderness,

B: …to consider it all.

A: But when John was arrested, he came to Galilee

B: …assured of his purpose,

A: to proclaim the good news,

B: …that this was the time of the fulfillment of God’s very good adventure of love.

A: So the story begins again,

B: … and once again we commence our journey in the eternal flow of divine life.

Prayer

We too have left our homes and journeyed to this place; a place where we can proclaim our faith, acknowledge your call, recognize our history, and take time to consider it all. Here we come to be assured of our purpose and our participation in the fulfillment of your very good adventure of love. Amen.

ENGAGE

Minute for Mission & Offering Our Gifts to God

*Offering Prayer

These gifts are offered today, that they may flood and flow into your world bearing your good news of justice and compassion to all. Amen.

*Hymn          As We Gather at Your Table          VU 457

Congregational Covenant with Elders-St. David’s

Sacrament of Communion Insert, cover of Voices United

Distribution Hymn         Donna Nobis Pacem        Printed

Dona nobis pacem pacem

Dona nobis pacem

REALIZE

*Hymn         All the Way My Saviour Leads Me        VU 635

*Commissioning

WEEKLY LENTEN REFLECTION-FEBRUARY 22ND

February 22

Mark 1:9–15

For 40 days, Satan temps Jesus in the wilderness. The scriptures tell us Jesus was there with the wild animals and that the angels waited on him. The image of animals with Jesus sends a clear message about our connection to all God’s creation. God desires peace among God’s creation and an end to violence and cruelty against nature. No matter what our negative associations with “wilderness” are, we know that God is there, God’s creation is connected. We do not journey alone through Lent.

This week, reflect on the moments when you’ve been in the “wilderness” of life – a physical, emotional, or spiritual wilderness. Think about who and what was with you at that time. Recall how your connections with God, creation, and others came to your aid. Carry these moments with you as you begin your Lenten journey. 

Seasons of the Spirit™ SeasonsFUSION Lent • Easter 2015 Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2014

LIVING THE SEASON OF LENT

Lenten Creation

Lent is an opportunity for great spiritual and personal examination, a time to study our relationship with God and others, a time to improve those relationships and make them more meaningful. But our desire for deeper connection to God, one another, and all of God’s creation this Lent has to compete with the rest of life. Our spiritual practices go up against our everyday lives, busy schedules, work and family demands, emotional trials, and more.

This Lent, we look to God’s creation to help us find our way on our spiritual journey. In the scriptures we see the links between the Lenten journey and Creation. Jesus is in the company of wild animals while he faces his tempter in the desert. God’s language – when addressing Abraham and Sarah directly and the people of Israel through Jeremiah – refers to the land, the mountains, and the very hearts of humankind. The psalmist looks for God’s glory in creation and refers to God as rock and redeemer. The Israelites face their fears of God leaving them in the desert and are strengthened for more of their journey. And Jesus rides a colt into Jerusalem – from the wilderness, through small towns, and now arriving in the city where he will face his enemies.

It is a sacred thing to bring the ancient practice of Lenten examination into the modern world. The Lenten scripture readings, which speak to our human desires and failures, help us see our own lives in a new way. This Lent there will be moments of stress and times when you might feel frustrated. Times when you don’t think you have enough time for Lent, or even times when you feel like a failure.

But the river – the divine – continues to flow. Even if our spiritual lives seem to be nothing more than a dried up riverbed, God is there with a trickle of water to refresh us. As life twists and turns, we flow – God flows – with it. Every turn is a chance to slow down, reflect, and then flow onward toward Easter.

During the Season of Lent, may you find not only moments for reflection, but moments for connection with others and all of God’s creation. 

Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2014 Seasons of the Spirit™ SeasonsFUSION Lent • Easter 2015, p.15

ASH WEDNESDAY WORSHIP-ST. DAVID'S UNITED CHURCH

Ash Wednesday Prayer Service 2015

One moment we feel close to God and can see signs of our

deepening faithfulness. But all too suddenly our faith becomes fragile, we know sorrow and emptiness, we hurt those who are closest to us. This is the human condition. The Season of Lent gives us the opportunity to give honest voice to this human mixture within and around us. And this Ash Wednesday service blends the ashes of regret with the oil of renewal as a sign of the Lenten season.

Gathered in community

we share spiritual union

with God and one another.

Surrounded by Love,

we express our deepest thoughts and feelings

(bring stones forward and arrange in a spiral leaving space in the middle for the candle).

The Ever Present One

moves within, between, and beyond

and we rest in gentle currents of peace.

Surrounded by Love,

we express our deepest thoughts and feelings

(place the candle in the middle of the spiral and light).

Sensing the vulnerability of this season,

we shiver at our frailty

and seek the strength of Love.

Surrounded by Love,

we express our deepest thoughts and feelings

(bring pieces of palm branches forward, and place them around the spiral).

Longing for renewal

we turn to Love

knowing Love, alone, is our hope.

Surrounded by Love,

we express our deepest thoughts and feelings

(place the bowls of ashes and oil on the table).

Opening prayer

(Lift the bowls of ashes and oil.)

We pray that Love will hold all of us –

our deepest thoughts and feelings –

and that all that we are

can be welcomed into this community.

(Mix the oil into the ashes.)

May Love hold and heal

and shape us into something new.

Amen.

The church bell is rung to “sound the alarm!”

Based on Joel 2:1–2, 12–17

One: Blow the trumpet! Sound the alarm!

All: We return to God.

One: Gather the people! Assemble the aged! Gather the children!

All: We return to God.

One: Return to God with all your heart. For God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.

All: We return to God with all our heart.

A bell is rung again to “sound the alarm!”

Scripture reading Isaiah 58:1–7

ONE: Shout out, do not hold back!
   Lift up your voice like a trumpet!
Announce to my people their rebellion,
   to the house of Jacob their sins. ² Yet day after day they seek me
   and delight to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that practised righteousness
   and did not forsake the ordinance of their God;
they ask of me righteous judgements,
   they delight to draw near to God.

ALL: Why do we fast, but you do not see?

Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?

ONE: Look, you serve your own interest on your fast-day,
   and oppress all your workers. ⁴ Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight
   and to strike with a wicked fist.
Such fasting as you do today
   will not make your voice heard on high. ⁵ Is such the fast that I choose,
   a day to humble oneself?
Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush,
   and to lie in sackcloth and ashes?
Will you call this a fast,
   a day acceptable to the Lord?

ALL: What kind of fasting do you desire?

ONE: ⁶ Is not this the fast that I choose:
   to loose the bonds of injustice,
   to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
   and to break every yoke? ⁷ Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
   and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them,
   and not to hide yourself from your own kin?

ALL: May our love shine like the dawn

and may the healing of the world

burst forth like flowers in the spring.

Ashes and Oil

In ancient times, the Jewish people used ashes as a symbol to show God that they were sorry. Name actions that people do that bring harm and loving actions that people sometimes do not do, and things for which people are sometimes sorry.

Ash Wednesday begins the Season of Lent, a time when we bring our deep feelings and thoughts to God. It is a time to say we are sorry and also to make changes so we can live in new, healing ways.

Oil was an ancient symbol of healing. It reminds us that Love is always willing and ready to forgive. No matter what we do, God is ready to forgive. That’s another part of Lent: to remember God’s great love for the world.

Silence is kept (5 minutes) Bell is rung to start and end

Chant: Within our darkest night, you kindle the fire that never dies away, never dies away.        

Love is with us always (indicate the lit candle on the table).

Leader: You are invited to come forward and receive

the symbol of the ashes.

Dip two fingers into the bowl and take out some ashes,

making a sign of the cross with them in the palm of your other hand. Or if you would like the presider to anoint your forehead, stand with folded hands.

Words for the anointing: You are renewed and reborn in love.

Response to the anointing

Let us pray:

At this moment, on Ash Wednesday,

we have made our choice.

We choose to travel the Lenten way

and we carry in our lives the ashes and oil

of human and Divine reality.

The path is uncertain,

some days may feel unfamiliar.

Still, may we choose to go deeper along the way

for nothing can separate us

from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Amen.

BLESS

Let us move into Lent in faith and truth,

touching each other’s lives as we go.

(You are invited to place your hand on the shoulder of a person near you)

And may God in Christ call us on,

the God who is our Loving Parent

comfort us as we go

and the Holy Spirit light the way ahead. Amen.