Pan-methodist Service
ASH
Wednesday, February 17, 7 pm
W E D N E S D A Y
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Prelude
”How Great Thou Art” — Stuart Hine, arr. Dan Miller
Welcome and Introductions
Choral Call to Worship
"All Because of Jesus" — Andrae Crouch All because of Jesus, we are here. Because of His blessings, all His bountiful blessings, we are here. Since I am here, I'm gonna praise His name. Since you are here, I think that you should do the same. Since we are here, together let's praise His name. Because of Jesus, we are here.
Call to Worship
All are invited to read the bold-faced type; the lay reader will read the unbolded type. Return to me! Christ calls, and we hear. Return to me! Christ calls, and we listen. Return to me! Christ calls, and we respond. Return to me! Christ calls, and we turn... toward life, toward love, toward God.
7 pm • February 17, 2021
The community gathers As the community gathers, may the music of the prelude draw your hearts and minds to God.
Ash Wednesday
Opening Hymn
#57 "O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing" (vv. 1, 2, 3, 7) Words: Charles Wesley; Tune: Azmon, Carl G. Glaser, arr. Lowell Mason
Prayer of Invocation
Scripture Genesis 2:4b-9
These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created. In the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, when no plant of the field was yet in the earth and no herb of the field had yet sprung up—for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was no one to till the ground; but a stream would rise from the earth, and water the whole face of the ground— then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being. And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east; and there he put the man whom he had formed. Out of the ground the Lord God made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food, the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Special Music
“Perfect Praise” — Brenda Joyce Moore Oh Lord, how excellent is Thy name. There is none like you, none like you, Jesus; excellent is Thy name. In all the earth, Jesus; excellent is Thy name. Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord. Jesus, excellent is Thy name.
Scripture Psalm 103
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits—who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him. For he knows how we were made; he remembers that we are dust. As for mortals, their days are like grass; they flourish like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, obedient to his spoken word. Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers that do his will. Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul.
Hymn
#368 "My Hope Is Built" Words: Edward Mote; Tune: The Solid Rock, William Bradbury
Sermon
Litany of Confession and Reconciliation
“From dust we came. Unto dust we shall return (Genesis 3:19).” The season of lent commences with a bitter confrontation with death. We cannot run from it. We cannot hide from it. We have no power to prevent it. Doctors cannot stop it. We will all die. Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. He springs up like a flower and withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure. (Job 14:2) This bold confrontation with death forces believers to examine their lives. It forces believers to reassess themselves. Have I wasted my life? Have I squandered my existence? Have I lived for Christ? For only what we do for Christ will last! It’s me, it’s me, it’s me, O Lord, standin’ in the need of prayer. But there is hope! We will all die, but tonight ashes will be imposed on our head in the shape of the cross. At the cross Jesus canceled the record of our debt. At the cross Jesus was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities. At the cross I first saw the light and the burdens of my heart rolled away. It was there by faith I received our sight and now I am happy all the day Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. (Psalm 32:1-2) We have received a second chance. We have received eternal life. We have a reason to rejoice. Now let us walk worthy of the call we have received. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who emptied himself and took on the form of a slave, humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even death on the cross. Therefore, God exalted him and handed a name that is above every name so that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. (Philippians 2:5-11)
Invitation to the Lenten Discipline and Imposition of Ashes
Participants in the Service
Preacher: Rev. James C. Simmons — Pastor, Baber African Methodist Episcopal Church Clergy Participants: Rev. Derrill A. Blue — Presiding Elder, Rochester-Syracuse District; Pastor, Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Rev. Dr. Stephen M. Cady — Senior Minister, Asbury First United Methodist Church Rev. Dr. Julius C. Clay — Pastor, New Bethel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church Organist: Duane Prill Soloists: Bess Phillips, Abby Rice, Dan McInerney, Jordan Bachmann Combined Choirs recorded live February 26, 2020, conducted by Gloria Brooks: Baber African Methodist Episcopal Church — Julius Dicks, director Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church — Gloria Brooks, director New Bethel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church — Wardell Lewis, director Asbury First United Methodist Church — Dr. Carl Johengen, director Pianist: Wardell Lewis
Permissions: “All Because of Jesus” © 2006 Zomba Music Enterprises/Vaughan Street Music; "Perfect Praise" © 1989 Brenda Joyce Moore; “Soon and Very Soon” © 1976 Bud John Songs, Inc./Crouch Music/ASCAP. Hymns © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; OneLicense.net #A-721053. Some of the liturgical elements have been adapted from the 2021 Abingdon Worship Annual. Illustration Credits: Designed by Sarah Brubaker, Rob Petrosyan and Freepik and Vecteezy.
Sending Forth
“Soon and Very Soon” — Andrae Crouch Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King, Hallelujah, hallelujah, we are going to see the King. No more crying there, we are going to see the King, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, we are going to see the King. No more dying there, we are going to see the King, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, we are going to see the King.
Benediction
Postlude
"Air Tendre" — Dennis Eliot Words: Christina Rossetti, 1885; Tune: Gartan, Tard. Irish melody
The AME Zion Church Methodism in Western New York has one of its most enduring proponents in the Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Rochester, New York. Founded in 1827, the early church edifice was connected to the Underground Railroad in Rochester. Harriet Tubman, known as “The Moses of her people,” is credited with leading hundreds of Negro slaves to freedom, using the first building to shelter fugitive slaves. Susan B. Anthony gave one of her last public addresses in the church, and Frederick Douglass edited his abolitionist papers, “The North Star,” from presses set up in the church basement.
For more than nine decades, New Bethel CME Church has been spreading the message of Christianity through church services and Bible studies. Aside from offering an enlightening atmosphere for spiritual development, it is our mission to reach out to the poor and make their lives better. We sponsor many outreach ministries to help under served communities in Rochester, NY and surrounding areas. New Bethel CME Church is more than just an institution. We are a family that seeks the will of God and lives in accordance to His Word with our fellow brothers and sisters. Come and join our growing church today and be a testament of salvation and grace to other people. Contact our staff to learn more about our church services and outreach programs.
About New Bethel Christian Methodist episcopal church
About Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
www.baberrochester.org
Founded in 1956, Baber African Methodist Episcopal Church is committed to making men and women who reflect the life and love of Jesus Christ! Known for its emphasis on discipleship, celebration of black culture, and love for community, Baber Church is led by the Reverend James C. Simmons, whose spiritual prowess and business acumen has contributed to the growth and prosperity of Baber. The Mission of the African Methodist Episcopal Church is to minister to the spiritual, intellectual, physical, emotional, and environmental needs of all people by spreading Christ’s liberating gospel through word and deed. At every level of the connection and in every local church, the African Methodist Episcopal Church shall engage in carrying out the spirit of the original Free African Society.
About Baber African Methodist Episcopal Church
About Asbury First united methodist church
www.memorialamezion.org
www.asburyfirst.org
Just as the Christian faith is about bringing life to the world, Asbury First is about bringing life to this community. We believe the only way to the fullness of life promised by Jesus Christ is through love—love of God and love of neighbor. Through love we find life. In a love-filled life, we are led to serve others. Through service to others, we find love fully expressed. This cycle is the heart of discipleship and as such, we believe it is the key to living into God’s dream for this community. Thus, our mission at Asbury First is to love God and neighbor, to live fully, to serve all, and then to do it all again. Or said simply—love. live. serve. repeat.
www.newbethelcme.org
The pandemic has shown the increased need for the services we provide, and with your help, we can make sure that 1010 East Avenue continues to be a home for our community. Since March 2020, it has been a challenging time for us all. The COVID-19 pandemic has required us to make significant adjustments, which have impacted our personal lives and our church community. Our Outreach Ministries have certainly felt this. We are grateful to all volunteers of the Dining & Caring Center, Storehouse, Grocery Bag Ministry and UR Well Clinic for their flexibility and commitment to our on-campus programs.
Please consider a one-time donation or pledge! Visit www.asburyfirst.org/bettertogether to learn more.