Liturgy for Ash Wednesday, Year C (Luke)

What is Ash Wednesday?

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a season of repentance, reflection, and preparation for Easter. Observed 40 days before Easter (excluding Sundays), it is a day for Christians to humble themselves before God, confess their sins, and commit to spiritual renewal. The practice of receiving ashes on the forehead, typically in the shape of a cross, symbolizes both mortality ("Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return") and the call to repentance ("Repent, and believe in the gospel").

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Scriptures for Ash Wednesday

What Does Repentance Mean, and Why is It Important?

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
The prophet Joel calls for repentance as the "day of the Lord" approaches. He urges the people to return to God with fasting, weeping, and mourning, reminding them that God is gracious and merciful. The passage emphasizes the communal nature of repentance, calling priests and people alike to gather and seek God's mercy.

Isaiah 58:1-12
Isaiah confronts empty religious practices, calling for true fasting that leads to justice and righteousness. God desires not mere ritual but actions that loosen the bonds of injustice, feed the hungry, and clothe the naked. Those who practice true righteousness will be like a "watered garden," restoring and rebuilding what is broken.

Psalm 51:1-17
A heartfelt confession of sin, this psalm pleads for God's mercy and cleansing. David acknowledges his sin and asks for a clean heart and renewed spirit. The psalm highlights God's desire for sincere repentance rather than empty sacrifices.

2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10
Paul urges believers to be reconciled to God, emphasizing the urgency of repentance. As ambassadors for Christ, Christians are called to endure hardship, remain faithful, and live in the paradox of sorrowful yet always rejoicing.

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
Jesus teaches about humility in prayer, fasting, and giving. True devotion to God is not about outward appearances but about the sincerity of the heart. He reminds believers to store up treasures in heaven, for "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

In Luke, Jesus tells a parable that demonstrates his belief that urgency toward repentance is key.

Call to Worship

One: Come, let us return to the Lord with all our hearts.
All: God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
One: Now is the time of God's favor; now is the day of salvation.
All: We gather in humility, seeking renewal and grace.
One: Let us worship the Lord, who calls us from darkness into light.
All: May we be transformed by his mercy and love.

Call to Confession

One: As we begin this Lenten season, we acknowledge our need for grace. Let us confess our sins before God, who is faithful and just to forgive.

All: Merciful God, we confess that we have turned from you. We have sought our own way instead of your will. Forgive us for our sins, cleanse our hearts, and renew our spirits, that we may walk in faithfulness to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Assurance of Pardon

One: The Lord is compassionate and forgiving. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our sins from us.

All: Thanks be to God! In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!

Prayer of Illumination

Lord, as we enter this holy season, open our hearts to your word. Let your truth convict us, transform us, and draw us closer to you. May we seek your will above all else. Amen.

Prayer of Dedication

Gracious God, as we offer ourselves to You this Lent, may our lives be a pleasing offering. Use our gifts, our time, and our hearts for Your kingdom. In Christ’s name, Amen.

Themes of Ash Wednesday

Repentance and Renewal
Ash Wednesday calls believers to turn away from sin and embrace God's mercy. The ashes remind us of our mortality, but also of the grace offered through Christ.

What Does Repentance Mean and Why is It Important?

True Devotion, Not Empty Ritual
Isaiah 58 and Matthew 6 both challenge believers to seek sincere faith rather than mere religious observance. God desires a heart transformed by love, not just outward piety.

Storing Up Treasures in Heaven
Jesus teaches that what we value most reflects our hearts. Lent is a time to examine where we place our trust and realign our priorities toward God.

Sermon Ideas on Ash Wednesday

I have found that sermons on Ash Wednesday are impactful. The holiness and specialness of the day carry the weight and simple sermons that call the people forward into the hope of Jesus do a lot of good.

1. The Ashes and the Cross
Ashes symbolize both our mortality and our repentance. Yet they are placed in the shape of the cross—the sign of our hope in Christ. How do we live in light of both sin and grace?

Main Idea: We are dust, but in Christ, we have eternal hope.

2. A Call to True Worship
Isaiah 58 challenges us to go beyond religious routine and live out our faith through justice, mercy, and love. What does a "true fast" look like in our lives today?

Main Idea: Lent is not about giving up things but about giving ourselves more fully to God and others.

3. Where Is Your Treasure?
Jesus calls us to examine our hearts. Are we clinging to earthly things, or are we seeking eternal treasures?

Main Idea: Lent is a season to reorient our hearts toward the things of God.