Resources on Ash Wednesday

Resource Guide on Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday marks the shift of the liturgical calendar into Lent and the preparation of the journey to Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday, ending at Easter. The aim of Ash Wednesday worship is threefold: to meditate on our mortality, sinfulness, and need of a savior; to renew our commitment...

Ashes and Repentance

Rolf Jacobson | Working Preacher

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

This podcast is a commentary on Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21, Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, Psalm 51:1-17, and 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:10 that discusses the ritual imposition of ashes and communal repentance.

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Ash Wednesday, Lectionary, Commentary, Ashes

Ash Wednesday: Cultural Resources

William H Wiggins Jr | The African American Lectionary

Sermon Preparation or Illustration, Service Outline or Song Suggestions, Article about Worship and the Sacraments

William H. Wiggins, Jr. shares the following cultural resources to celebrate Ash Wednesday in the African American community: historical background, a prayer, the ritual of "Love Feasts," and three spirituals.

Psalm 51; Romans 7:14-25

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Ash Wednesday, Humility, Sin, Confession

Ash Wednesday Sermon Resources

James C Howell | Ministry Matters

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

James C. Howell provides resources for preparing a sermon for Ash Wednesday, specifically looking at Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Psalm 91, and Luke 4:1-13.

Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Psalm 91 Luke 4:1-13

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Ash Wednesday, Lent, Temptation, Preaching

Ash Wednesday

The African American Lectionary

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

This commentary on Isaiah 58:1-12 is for an Ash Wednesday service which is an opportunity to assess, repent (for our inaction and our fearfulness), and recommit to new life.

Isaiah 58:1-12

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Ash Wednesday, Lent, Fasting, Liturgy

Seeking Piety on Ash Wednesday

A Plain Account

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

This commentary on Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 focuses on the Sermon on the Mount for Ash Wednesday. The acts of piety that Jesus desires are not self-seeking, but are in service to others.

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

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Ash Wednesday, Piety, Death, Purity

Personal and Communal Piety at Ash Wednesday

Karoline M Lewis | Working Preacher

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

Join Karoline Lewis, David Lose, and Matt Skinner in this podcast as they discuss the themes of personal piety and community in the scripture texts for Ash Wednesday.

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

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Ash Wednesday, Sermon On The Mount, Prayer, Fasting

Ash Wednesday

Marvin A McMickle | The African American Lectionary

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

A sermon starter and commentary by Marvin McMickle on 2 Corinthians 5:20b–6:10, for Ash Wednesday in the African American Lectionary.

2 Corinthians 5:20-21, 6:1-10

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Ash Wednesday, Lent, Reconciliation, Culture

A Lenten Prayer for the Evening

Gathered Prayers

Prayer

This prayer prays for God's presence and guidance during Lent so that we can open our eyes to God's presence in the world.

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Pilgrimage, Journey, God's Presence, Wisdom

All Belong to God

Lisa Frenz | Re-Worship

Benediction or Blessing

This is a closing litany for Ash Wednesday. It reminds us that we can walk with God in all circumstances, "For all times, all things and all, all belong to God."

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Belonging, Restoration, God's Deliverance, Peace

You are Dust

Dawn Hutchings | Re-Worship

Benediction or Blessing

This Ash Wednesday benediction emphasizes the "incomplete humanity" of the recipients, calling them to "let the ashes you wear be the ashes of transformation" toward the true image of God.

Genesis 1:26, 2:7-8, 3:19; Psalm 139:14

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Ash Wednesday, Benediction, Sanctification, Dust

Ash Wednesday Worship

Debra Rienstra | Calvin Institute of Christian Worship

Service Outline or Song Suggestions and 3 more types

Outline of a worship service of repentance and renewal for Ash Wednesday, including prayers, invitation, scripture, music, imposition of ashes, benediction, and a link to a meditation by Debra Rienstra.

Psalm 102:1-17; Mark 1:9-13

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Ash Wednesday, Lent, Repentance, Liturgy

Why Ash Wednesday?

Harry Boonstra | Calvin Institute of Christian Worship

Article about Worship and the Sacraments

Harry Boonstra explores the tradition of Lent and the use of ashes throughout the Bible and on Ash Wednesday, and the implications for believers (Genesis 3:19; Mark 1:15; Romans 6:1-11; and 1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Genesis 3:19; Mark 1:15 Romans 6:1-11

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Ash Wednesday, Ash, Lent

Search Results for "Ash Wednesday" on Hymnary.org

Dust and Ashes Touch Our FacePD
Create in Me a Clean HeartPD
Change My Heart, O God©
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A Blessing in the Ashes

Jan L Richardson | The Painted Prayerbook

Poetry

Ash Wednesday is the subject of a collection including a painting, reflection, poem, and other resources. The author writes about the grief of burying her husband, and the power of ashes and dust in God's hands.

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Ash Wednesday, Blessing, Family, Dust

Marked by Death in Order to Live

John Ballenger | Re-Worship

Scripture Drama or Paraphrase, Prayer

This is a reflection written the day after Ash Wednesday that considers what it means to be marked for death in order to live.

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Ash Wednesday, Death, Life, Worship Planning

Crisis and Repentance

Rolf Jacobson | Working Preacher

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

This podcast considers texts for Ash Wednesday, suggesting the penitential prayer of repentance from Psalm 51:1-17 and the communal crisis from Joel 2:1-2,12-17, as key preaching themes.

Psalm 51:1-17; Joel 2:1-2, 12-17

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Ash Wednesday, Community, Repentance

The Call Is Urgent

Dennis Olson | Working Preacher

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

A commentary on Joel 2:1-2, 12-17. The text calls us "to confess our sins, to remind ourselves of our mortality and frailty, and to hear the call to repentance or turning around from our sinful ways."

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17

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Ash Wednesday, Repentance, Sin, Fasting

The Fight Between Carnival and Lent

Daniella Zsupan-Jerome | Loyola Press

Artwork, Article about Worship and the Sacraments

Based on the painting, "The Fight Between Carnival and Lent" by Pieter Brueghel the Elder, this blog reflects on seeing the hand of God at work when the spiritual and the secular clash.

Joel 2:13

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Ash Wednesday, Lent, Confession, Baptism

An Acceptable Sacrifice

Bill Wessner | ConfessionRCL

Assurance of Pardon, Prayer of Confession

This resource contains a confession based on Psalm 51:1-17. The confession explores themes of sin, mercy, and God's love.

Psalm 51:1-17

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Sin, Mercy, God's Love

Ash Wednesday Confession

Amy Loving | Re-Worship

Assurance of Pardon, Prayer of Confession

This is a responsive act of confession for Ash Wednesday based on Psalm 51. Included are the prayer of confession, assurance of pardon, and an invitation to the imposition of ashes.

Psalm 51

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Ash Wednesday, Confession, Assurance, Worship Planning

Preparing for Lenten Worship

Calvin Institute of Christian Worship

Discussion Questions and 5 more types

This resource offers an introduction to Lent and a comprehensive guide to Lenten service planning. It provides suggestions for selecting passages, ideas for a sermon series, questions to consider, and sample elements of worship.

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Lent, Worship Planning, Easter, Lament