Ash Wednesday Worship - Your Mid-Week Christian Power Surge

 

 

                  WEDNESDAY CHURCH
                                                   with Pastor Mike Fonfara, D.Min.

                      February 13, 2012  -  Ash Wednesday

                           Welcome to Wednesday Church. 
                This is your mid-week Christian power surge.


TODAY'S PRAYER

May there always be work for your hands to do.

May yor purse always hold a coin or two.

May the sun always shine upon your window pane.

May a rainhbow be cetain to follow each rain.

May the hand of a friend always be near to you, and

May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

(Taditional Celtic Blessing)

WORSHIP FOR ASH WEDNESDAY AND THE DAYS OF LENT'S FIRST WEEK

Gathering

Come before God with a thankful heart, open mind, and obedient will.  These conditions invite the Holy Spirit to renew the soul and soak your life with God's blessings.    

Invocation/Confession

Look deep into my life, O God, as see the depth of my faith.  I am excited about your working in all my days.  I rejoice in the promises of salvation and Christian for the rest of this life and in the blessed eternal life to come.

Still, I confess my sins.  My intentions are good.  My thoughts, deeds, and actions fall short of  the righteousness Christian living requires.  Forgive me for the many sins I commit.  Give me a fresh start and strong resolve to do the right in spite of my weaknesses.  This I ask in Christ's name.  
Amen.


Assurance of Forgiveness and New Life

The Amighty has heard your prayers and request for forgiveness.  You are made anew in God's eyes.  Go and do your best to sin no more.  Praise God for divine life renewal!   

Scripture                                               Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Too many Americans worry about accumulating great wealth to provide security.  Ash Wednesday reminds Christians that all life, including security, resides in livng the was Generous Creator demands.  Seek God's Kingdom and God's righteousness first and all of your needs will be met in this life and in the eternal life to conme.  

Message                                             The Little Hummingbird

                                                     Once there was a great forest fire.
                                             All of the birds and animals rushed to escape.
                                                        Hummingbird went to the river,
                                                            And collect a drop of water.
                                                    The other birds and animals laughed.
                                                       “What are you doing?” they asked.

She replied, “I am doing what I can."

 

(Unknown Author - Often Attributed to Native American Lore)

 

 

(In Traditional Native American culture, a hummingbird symbolizes timeless joy, freedom and energy. It is a symbol for accomplishing that which seems impossible and will teach you how to find the miracle of joyful living from your own life circumstances.)

Here's the question for Lent.  Are you doing something - however small - to further God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit's impact in your sphere of influence this Lenten Season? 

 General Statement of Belief

I believe in one God, Creator of all things.  God is a holy, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing energy in a loving unity of three equally divine Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Having limitless knowledge and sovereign power, God has lovingly purposed from eternity to redeem a people for all time and to make all things new for the Creator's own glory.  As of this Ash Wednesday, I am a dedicated member of God's Christian community.  Amen.

Closing Prayer

Most blessed God, as Ash Wednesday turnh into the Lenten Season.  Help me to adopt the attitudes, graces, and kindness of Jesus so that I can fully prepare for the Easter week and celebrate the ultimate vioctory of my Savior.  Amen.

Benediction

Go into life striving to bring praise and honor to God and Jesus through

the powere of the Holy Spirit working in and through you.

Amen.

 

Pastor Mike Fonfara 

 

MISCELLANEOUS THOUGHTS 

1.  Genesis 3:19 could be a Bible passage referred to by many who believe that Ash Wednesday began out of necessity.

2. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten Season, a period of fasting and praying leading up to the Easter victory.

3. The ashes used during Ash Wednesday services come from tghe burned palms used in worship services the previous Palm Sunday.

4. Ash Wednesday services appear in a host of Christian denomination, such as Catholics, Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran and many Protestant groups.  Not all Protestant groups place ashes on the body.

5. In those Christian communions using the rites of ashes, crosses are placed on the forehead or hand of Christians. This symbol illustrates that the worshipper has repented of sins. The ashes also bring memories of the Christians mortality and the gift of salvation brought by Christ's death and resurrection.

6. If you wish to contact Pastor Mike Fonfara and make suggestions, leave a prayer concern, or make other positive comments, contact Pastor at mefonfara@gmail.com.



The next publication of Wednesday Church is Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at 5 a.m.  Please join the mid-week Internet Congreation nexgt Wednesday and tell your friends about WC as well. 

SHALOM!!!