Traditional Worship Bulletin
Ash Wednesday Service
February 22, 2023 | noon and 7:00 pm
“Tough Love”
Matthew 18:1-14
Rev. Zhenya Gurina Rodriguez, PhD
Rev. Lance Marshall
Senior Pastor
Welcome
Dr. Mike Marshall, Associate Pastor (noon)
Rev. Brenda Brooks Alexander, Associate Pastor (7:00 pm)
Prelude: “Adagio for Strings and Organ”
Albinoni, composer
Elizabeth Beck, violin/Peggy Graff, organ
*Call to Worship
Rev. Samuel Macias, Associate Pastor (noon)
Rev. Tom McDermott, Associate Pastor (7:00 pm)
One: In the solace of silence we come to you, O Lord.
All: We come for acceptance; for community; for forgiveness and love.
One: In the quiet of this moment we come to you, O Lord.
All: We come for peace; for comfort; for forgiveness and love.
You remind us in your Word that we are earth and dust.
One: Earth to earth, ashes to ashes,
All: From dust we were created, and to dust we shall return. Amen!
*Hymn 269: “Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days“
1. Lord, who throughout these forty days
for us didst fast and pray,
teach us with thee to mourn our sins
and close by thee to stay.
2. As thou with Satan didst contend,
and didst the victory win,
O give us strength in thee to fight,
in thee to conquer sin.
3. As thou didst hunger bear, and thirst,
so teach us, gracious Lord,
to die to self, and chiefly live
by thy most holy word.
4. And through these days of penitence,
and through thy passiontide,
yea, evermore in life and death,
Jesus, with us abide.
5. Abide with us, that so, this life
of suffering over past,
an Easter of unending joy
Responsive Reading: Psalm 51:10-17
Thomas Williams, Director of Music and Worship Arts
One: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.
All: 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 in me a willing spirit.
All: Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.
Sung Response: Cast me not a way from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
One: Deliver me from death, O God, God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your deliverance.
All: O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth your praise.
One: For you have no delight in sacrifice; were I to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased.
All: The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Sung Response: Cast me not a way from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Offertory:
“Méditation de Thaïs” (noon)
Jules Massenet, arranger
Elizabeth Beck, violin/Peggy Graff, piano
“Create in Me” (7:00 pm)
Mark Burrows, arranger
Choral Union
Thomas Williams, director
Scripture: Matthew 18:1-14
God speaks to us through the reading of scripture.
Thanks be to God.
Sermon Series: Tough Love
Rev. Zhenya Gurina Rodriguez, PhD, Associate Pastor
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13)
*Hymn: “Sunday’s Palms Are Wednesday’s Ashes”
1. Sunday’s palms are Wednesday’s ashes as another Lent begins;
Thus we kneel before our Maker In contrition for our sins.
We have marred baptismal pledges, in rebellion gone astray;
Now returning seek forgiveness; grant us pardon, God, this day!
2. We have failed to love our neighbors, their offences to forgive,
Have not listened to their troubles, nor have cared just how they live,
we are jealous, proud, impatient, loving over much our things;
may the yielding of our failings be our Lenten offerings.
3. We are hasty to judge others, blind to proof of human need;
and our lack of understanding demonstrates our inner greed;
we have wasted earth’s resources; want and suffering we’ve ignored;
come and cleanse us, then restore us; Make new hearts within us, Lord!
Imposition of Ashes
Rev. Lance Marshall, Senior Pastor
You may come forward as you wish and receive the ashes. Come via the center aisles and return by the outside aisles.
Prayer of Confession and Pardon for Ash Wednesday
Almighty and most merciful God, we have erred and strayed from Your ways like lost sheep. We confess that we have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed. We have left undone things which we should have done, and we have done things that we should not have done. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of Your son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your name. Amen.
Benediction
*Postlude: “Partita on “Jesu, meine Freude””
David M. Cherwien, arranger
Download Ash Wednesday Bulletin
Notes from First Church
Welcome to First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth – we are glad you’re here to worship with us today!
Please let us know you are here by filling out the attendance pad as it comes by.
Asterisks (*) indicate times when you are invited to stand as you are able.
In addition to your regular contribution, every one dollar ($1) bill placed in the offering plate during the month of February will support the rental assistance/mission clients program.
Stay Connected
News
Read First Church news and sign up for emails at fumcfw.org/news.
Events
Browse programs and events or search by ministry or keyword at fumcfw.org/events.
Worship with us Online
Sunday Mornings
9:30 am | The Gathering | fumcfw.org/gathering-live
11:00 am | Traditional Worship | fumcfw.org/traditional-live
11:11 am | eleven:eleven | fumfw.org/1111-live
WRR Radio
Listen to each previous week’s service and music on Sunday mornings at 7:30 am on WRR 101.1 FM.
Media Playlists
Watch past services or sermons or listen to podcasts of services and special music offerings at fumcfw.org/media.
For more information visit us online at fumcfw.org, “Like” us on Facebook, and “Follow” us on Twitter and Instagram!
Discipleship is the process of being shaped by the Holy Spirit through spiritual practices to become more like Jesus. Healthy Plate Discipleship uses a variety of practices to help you more faithfully follow Jesus Christ. Try all six areas to grow strong in faithful discipleship. Learn more at fumcfw.org/healthyplate.
Worship
Gathering to focus onGod together
Serve
Being God’s people in the world
Give
Putting God first in all things
Learn
Discovering and understanding who God is
Play
Enjoying the good life God gives
Pray
Talking and listening to God’s direction
Are you new?
If you would like to find your Worship Plus One, we would love to visit with you and help you explore the First Church groups or ministries of special interest to you! Finding your Worship Plus One will help you meet others, build relationships, and grow stronger in your faith.
For details, please email Lisa Helm (lhelm@myfumc.org), Director of Welcoming Ministries or Dr. Mike Marshall (mmarshall@myfumc.org), Associate Pastor of Leadership Development — and be sure to include your phone number in your email!