LITMIR.BIZ

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in God's providence.

      In fact, the community of faith often welcomes the role of ritual in its worship life because regular worship is as important to us as the air we breathe. In John Wesley's sermon titled "The Great Privilege of those that are Born of God" he notes what he calls "spiritual respiration." Wesley writes that when a person is born of God, "born of the Spirit the . . . breath of God is immediately inspired, breathed into the new-born soul . . . prayer being the breath of every soul which is truly born of God. And by this new kind of spiritual respiration, spiritual life is not only sustained but increased day by day" (The Works of John Wesley, vol.1, sermon 19, edited by Albert C. Outler [Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1984], p. 434). Bold prayers reveal bold believers. Bold believers reveal God's persuasive witness in the world. In all of this the idea is that God breathes into our souls and then our act of breathing sends God's Spirit back out to the world. This is part of what ritual worship and prayer does for us—we breathe God in and out together as the household of faith.

      Not only do our worship rituals allow us to breathe in the Spirit of God, but enacting ritual also orients us within our community's social structures. Whether the ritual is a handshake, the singing of an opening hymn, or the reciting of the Apostle's Creed, it helps us participate in community. Worship leaders, armed with the people's prayer concerns, facilitate ritual by offering sacrifices of prayer on the people's behalf. In Jesus we have a high priest who offers sacrifices for us (Hebrews 2:17–3:1). Lent is the time when we reflect most deeply on that atoning sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf. Yet we remember that Jesus did not sacrifice for his own sin, as he was "without sin." Hence, Jesus becomes our eternal high priest. Jesus intercedes for us and prays for us. In Jesus we can approach God's throne with courage because it is Jesus who offers a perfect sacrifice for us. Ritual reminds us about Jesus' place near God's throne of grace. As we pray together in Lent we remind ourselves that like the original disciples "we believers are all in the same boat."

      I learned the importance of ritual in my first parish when I altered the order of worship slightly one Sunday morning. It seemed to me that the flow of worship would be better if I switched two of the worship elements. I never thought that anyone would notice because the change I enacted was ever so slight. Yet, after worship, several people commented on how uncomfortable the change had made them. Clearly, change is part of life. But, conversely, this experience helped me recognize that people take the order of worship much more to heart than I had assumed.

      Paul, in writing about speaking in tongues, imparted something profound: "All things should be done decently and in order" (1 Corinthians 14:40). Long-standing rituals in social conventions and worship services supply a deep purpose. The purpose of ritual in worship is to invite people to the throne of grace. We now approach this throne with boldness because of Jesus our great High Priest. Worship is the time and the place where we come to the throne of grace.

      During Lent our prayers may seem ritualistic. The reason for this circumstance is that during this high holy season of Lent, worship leaders guide people both emotionally and intellectually through difficult times by the use of familiar words and rituals. Leading congregations via familiar prayers and worship elements allows people to negotiate the deep value and meaning that Lent has for us as a season of spiritual preparation.

      As you use this diminutive book for devotional purposes, or as you assemble worship materials, bulletins, and guides for people you lead in worship, may the depth of our faith be transparent as we honor God's holy name together. As Jesus walked the Lenten path toward his passion, may we also walk with him during Lent as his faithful followers and devout disciples.

      David Neil Mosser

      First United Methodist Church

      Arlington, Texas 76011

      18 June 2010—Saint Fortunatus ("the Philosopher") Feast Day

      Ash Wednesday

       Invocation (Psalm 51; 2 Corinthians 5–6; Matthew 6)

      O Lord, open our hearts that we may acknowledge our failings. Open our lips that we may declare your praise. Although we each fall short, we praise you in the name of Christ who takes away our sin and invites us to walk in the paths of righteousness. May our Lenten fast begin not with dismal faces or with sorrowful frowns, but with faces aglow in the oil of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

       Invocation (Joel 2)

      God of dust and ash, you fashioned us from the dust of the earth, and to dust we shall return. May the ashes placed upon our foreheads this day remind us of who we are and whose we are. Draw us back to you, O God, for you are gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. Heal the hardness of our hearts, that we may be faithful disciples of the one who makes all things new. Amen.

       Invocation

      Loving God, come to us now. Come to those who are lonely and frightened. Come to those who are sick and discouraged. Come to our neighbors and friends. Build us up as your disciples, teaching us truth and showing us how to be a people of love and grace. Amen.

       Invocation (Adapted from Psalm 84)

      O God, how lovely is your dwelling place. My soul longs for you. Come into this place. Dwell in us. Answer our longing with your presence. Accept our offering of praise. Amen.

       Prayer of Confession

      Gracious God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole hearts, and we have not loved our neighbors as we love ourselves. Forgive us, we pray. Open our hearts wide to you, that you might renew our faith and strengthen us for obedient service. Amen.

       Prayer of Confession

      O God who will not let us go, as we worship this day we confess that we have been so wrapped up in ourselves that we have taken little note of either you or our neighbor who is in need. Forgive us, we pray, when we forget that our own scripture tells us that you, O God, "created humankind in [your] image, in the image of [you, you] created them; male and female [you] created them" (Genesis 1:27). On this Ash Wednesday bring to our consciousness the truth that it is from the dust we came and to the dust we will return. Between these moments of dust, Lord, let us shine as those "crowned . . . with glory and honor" (Psalm 8:5). Bring this to pass as we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

       Words of Assurance

      When we confess our sins, God is faithful and just, cleansing us from all unrighteousness. God is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven! In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!

       Prayer of Confession (Psalm 51)

      Holy God, wash us thoroughly of our iniquity and cleanse us from our sin; for our transgressions are ever before us and we have done what is evil in your sight. You desire truth in our inward being, yet we turn our backs on the wisdom you would impart in our hearts. Create in us a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within us. Do not cast us away from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from us. Forgive our sins and lead us in your paths anew that we might teach transgressors your ways and lead sinners to return to you. Amen.

       Words of Assurance (Joel 2:12-13)

      Hear the words of the prophet Joel: "Yet even now, says the LORD, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the LORD, your God, for [God] is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing."

      

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