Ash Wednesday • Year A

Historical Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent. Create in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain from you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, 1549)

Thematic Collect

Merciful God, turn our hearts toward you and bring us to repentance. Through your great mercy, grant us clean hearts and renew in us a right spirit; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

The Common Thread

The gospel is no pretense of religion. It is not a mere matter of fasting and praying, or the doing of other religious things. The gospel is a matter of the heart, of having faith that God has done for us through Christ what is required for the forgiveness of sins and salvation. Then we may pray and fast and do good works out of gratitude to God, not expecting anything in return—for nothing else is needed. 

First Reading • Joel 2:12–19

The preceding verses have been angry, for there is threat from God. His law accuses us always. But hear now his graciousness in our text today. Though his anger is very real, it is slow. So, return to the Lord while you may (Isa. 55:6). The heart of God is merciful and forgiving to those of contrite spirit.

Psalm • Psalm 51:1–13, 14–19

The spirit of the Christian is always aware of two things: his sin and God’s forgiveness. The commandments charge us with lawlessness, for we are brought forth in iniquity and our transgressions loom before the eyes of our souls. Yet, the believed word of the gospel purges our sin. The grace of God creates a clean heart so that we may enjoy his presence forever.

Second Reading • 2 Corinthians 5:20b–6:10

This is the joyous mystery of God: He has become sin for us. He has become our sin, so that we may be the righteousness of God. God’s exchange for his sake as well as our benefit is nothing else than perfect righteousness. What else would one call this: that God has changed places with us? Indeed, this is the gospel story that the world dishonors and slanders. But for we who are being saved by God’s righteous work, it is truthful speech and the very power of God.

Gospel • Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21

Laying up the so-called treasures of religious deeds goes sour in a hurry. Praying and fasting in order to be seen by others is corrupt religion. Instead of making a show of one’s righteousness before men, we ought to pray and fast before God. In doing so, we store up treasure in heaven. Such treasure can never be stolen away, and as it is in heaven, it will never be destroyed.

Ash Wednesday Service

Burning of the Palms for Ashes (pdf of instructions for preparing dried palms into ashes)

Rite for Burning of Palms (short rite to use in a small group to prepare ashes)

Liturgy for Confession and the Imposition of Ashes (pdf - service handout)

Ash Wednesday Bulletin Template (docx file - formatted for printing back to back)

Why the Ashes? Use this print-ready PDF to help explain the reason we use ashes on Ash Wednesday. There is one for adults and one for children.