ASH WEDNESDAY

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Cecilia Olusola Tribble, African American Lectionary Young Adult Liturgist
M.Div. Student, Vanderbilt Divinity School, Nashville, TN

Worship Planning Notes
Ash Wednesday is the day we begin our Lenten journey. We take time to reflect, to confess, to clear, and to renew. It is with contrite hearts that we seek repentance for personal and communal sins. We seek renewal to do the will and work of God.

Things you might need to create safe, worshipful, and reflective spaces: candles, ashes, holy oil/water, and dim lights. In the “Other Recommendation” section, the liturgical moment that can be performed before and during the imposition of the ashes is outlined.

1. Litany, Responsive Reading, or Invocation
(a) Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God. By Tom Kendnzia. This selection is a Responsorial Psalm (sung).

(b) Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(c) We Believe in God Who Lifts Our Soul Heavenward
We believe in God who lifts our soul heavenward
And prepares our heart to trust.
We believe in God, who shows us the way,
Who leads the way, who is the way.
We believe in God who teaches us truth,
Who does not remember our sin,
Who remembers us in loving-kindness.
We believe in God.
We believe in God.

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Love Lifted Me. By James Rowe

(b) I Need Thee. By Annie S. Hawks and Robert Lowry

(c) Amazing Grace. By John Newton

(d) Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing. By Robert Robinson and John Wyeth

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) I Know I Been Changed. Traditional

(b) I Want Jesus to Walk with Me. Traditional

(c) Father I Stretch My Hand to Thee. By Charles Wesley

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Lord Prepare Me to Be a Sanctuary. By John Thompson and Randy Scruggs

(b) Capacity, Only You, How Great Is Our God. By Jonathan Nelson

(c) Chasing after You. By DeVaughn Murphy

(d) More. By Mary Alessi

5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) Thirsty. By Marvin Sapp

(b) Time after Time (The Savior Is Waiting). By Ralph Carmichael

(c) Yes to Your Will. By Kim Burrell and Kathy Burrell

(d) Prodigal Son. By Tye Tribbett

(e) Chasing after You (Morning Song). By Tye Tribbett

(f) Replace Me. By Tye Tribbett

6. Anthems
(a) O Love That Will Not Let Me Go. By George Matheson and Joseph M. Martin

(b) If My People Will Pray (with Hear Our Prayer, O Lord). By Jimmy Owen. Arr. by Keith Christopher

(c) Kyrie Eleison. By Audrey Snyder

(d) God’s Love Never Changes. By Dick Tunney and Melodie Tunney. Arr. by Bruce Greer

7. Modern Songs (Written between 2005–2010)
(a) In Pursuit of Your Glory. By Paul S. Morton

(b) I Owe All. By James Fortune

(c) Create in Me. By Donnie McClurkin

(d) Take Over. By Tye Tribbett

8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) I Surrender All. By Judson W. Van De Venter. Tune, (SURRENDER), by Winfield S. Weeden

(b) I Owe All. By James Fortune

(c) More Love to Thee. By Elizabeth Prentiss. Tune, (MORE LOVE TO THEE), by William H. Doane

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Here I Am. By Roderick Vester

(b) Drench My Heart. By Jonathan Nelson

(c) Draw Me Nearer. By Leslie-Ann G. Valley

(d) Draw Me. By James Fortune

(e) Draw Me. By Myron Williams

10. Sermonic Selection
(a) I Need Your Glory. By James Fortune

(b) Your Blood (The Communion Song). By Tye Tribbett

(c) Sinking. By Tye Tribbett

(d) Continuous Grace. By Smokie Norful

(e) Lord, Keep Us Closer to You. By Don Besig and Nancy Price

11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) We Fall Down. By Kyle Matthews

(b) Speak to My Heart. By Donnie McClurkin

(c) I Give Myself Away. By William McDowell

(d) I Will Choose Christ. By Tom Booth

(e) Is Your All on the Altar? By Elisha Hoffman

12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) Moving Forward. By Ricardo Sanchez and Israel Houghton

(b) Oh Lord, Have Mercy. Traditional

(c) Lord Reign in Me. By Brenton Brown

(d) My Faith Looks Up to Thee. By Roy Palmer. Tune, (OLIVET), by Lowell Mason

13. Other Recommendation
Imposition of Ashes

Almighty God, you have created us out of the dust of the earth: Grant that these ashes may be to us a sign of our mortality and penitence, that we may remember that it is only by your gracious gift that we are given everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Savior Amen.

(People are invited to come forward to receive the imposition of ashes. During the imposition of ashes suitable psalms or hymns may be sung, or silence may be kept. The worship leader marks the forehead of each person with the ashes, using the following words:)

Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed

(b) Book of Common Prayer. New York, NY: Church Publishing Inc., 1979, p. 264.