The Solemn Liturgy For Ash Wednesday With The Imposition Of Ashes

104 Union Street South Concord, North Carolina 28025 Office Phone: 704.786.0166 Office Fax: 704.786.0299 Web Site: www.sjnc.net Growing in Christ Through Worship, Learning, Fellowship, and Service February 18, 2015 7:00 p.m. in the Nave The Solemn Liturgy For Ash Wednesday With The Imposition Of Ashes The Introduction To Today s Liturgy... Welcome to our church on this first day of Lent. Today the Liturgy presents a challenge to Christian people. It confronts us with the radical change in living which is the Way of Christ. We are faced with sin and salvation as alternative directions for our lives: sin as separation from God, from others, from ourselves and from the natural world; salvation as reconciliation with God, others, our selves, and the natural world. The Liturgy on Ash Wednesday is reduced to its primary elements of Word and Sacrament. We are called to consider our mortality and in that context our sin and our absolute dependence upon God for salvation and for life. We may be tempted to limit our concerns to our sins and our mortality, letting the ashes be the most important thing in our worship today. But we use the ashes simply as the starting point for that which is far deeper and ultimately more important: salvation. The ashes, the penitence, the fasting: all of these are but means toward the goal of Ash Wednesday, of Lent, indeed, of all Christian living; namely, repentance, new life, and ministry to others. [When using Joel] Be reconciled to God... Paul tells us. Repentance, says the prophet Joel, opens us to the discovery of God s love and mercy. Make your prayer, fasting, and ministry the mark of an inner and fundamental way of living day in and day out, the Lord says. Remember, you are dust and to dust you shall return, is turned around into, you shall have life, and you shall have it abundantly. THE SOLEMN LITURGY FOR ASH WEDNESDAY Page 1 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

Sorrow for sin is indeed necessary, but it should not involve endless self-preoccupation. You should dwell also on the glad remembrance of the loving kindness of God. Bernard of Clairvaux My turning, my conversion, is to the crucified. His cross is my glory; with it my brow is signed, in it my mind rejoices, by it my life is directed, and my death is made dear. William of St. Thierry THE SOLEMN LITURGY FOR ASH WEDNESDAY Page 2 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

The Preparation for Worship All worshipers are invited to remain reverently silent before the service, and to join fervently in prayer, enthusiastically in praise, and heartily in song during the service. Out of respect for the liturgy we are about to celebrate and those sitting around you, please silence all cell phones and electronic devices. The Liturgy begins with the music of the organ. The organ voluntary is a veil drawn reverently between the cares of the week and the time of worship where all are welcome to experience the presence of God with the people of God. Through its power and brilliance may you feel the majesty and glory of God, and in its quietness, His peace. THE OPENING VOLUNTARY Psalm-Prelude, Op. 32, No.1 Herbert Howells (1892-1983) I called in all my affliction, and the Lord heard me and saved me from all my troubles. Psalm 34:6 The stand THE OPENING ACCLAMATION Blessed be the Lord who forgives all our sins, whose mercy endures forever. The people stand as the Crucifer, Choirs, and Clergy enter. THE SILENT PROCESSION The Choir chants Psalm 51 when they reach their places. THE GRADUAL-ANTHEM The Parish Choir Create a pure heart in me, O Lord. Grant me a new and steadfast spirit. Do not drive me away from thy presence, or take thy Spirit from me. Revive in me the joy of deliverance, grant me a steady soul to uphold me. Open thou my lips, everlasting Lord, that my mouth nay sing thy praises. Thou takest no delight in sacrifice, not hast thou any wish for whole offering. My sacrifice, Lord, is a broken soul, my offering, a contrite heart. Words: from Psalm 51, Miserere mei, Deus Music: Susan Matsui THE EXHORTATION Dear of God: The first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord s passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a season of penitence and fasting. This season of Lent provided a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism. It was also a time when those who, because of notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness and were restored to the fellowship of the Church. Thereby, the whole congregation was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need which all Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith. I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God s holy Word. And, to make a right beginning of repentance, and as a mark of our mortal nature, let us now kneel before the Lord, our maker and redeemer. THE SOLEMN LITURGY FOR ASH WEDNESDAY Page 3 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

The kneel or sit as able THE CONFESSION: LITANY OF PENITENCE Let us kneel and confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another. Silence is kept for reflection and self-examination. Most holy and merciful God, we confess to you and to one another, and before the whole company of heaven, that we have sinned by our fault, by our own fault, by our own most grievous fault, in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart, and mind, and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not forgiven others as we have been forgiven. Have mercy on us, O God. We have shut our ears to your call to serve as Christ served us. We have not been true to the mind of Christ. We have grieved your Holy Spirit. Have mercy on us, O God. Our past unfaithfulness, the pride, envy, hypocrisy, and apathy that have infected our lives, we confess to you. Have mercy on us, O God. Our self-indulgent appetites and ways, and our exploitation of other people, we confess to you. Have mercy on us, O God. Our negligence in prayer and worship, and our failure to share the faith that is in us, we confess to you. Have mercy on us, O God. Our neglect of human need and suffering, and our indifference to injustice and cruelty, we confess to you. Have mercy on us, O God. Our false judgments, our uncharitable thoughts toward our neighbors, and our prejudice and contempt toward those who differ from us, we confess to you. Have mercy on us, O God. Our waste and pollution of your creation, and our lack of concern for those who come after us, we confess to you. Have mercy on us, O God. Restore us, O God, and let your anger depart from us. Hear us, O God, for your mercy is great. THE 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. Those who desire to receive ashes may come forward and kneel before the High Altar. The applies ashes to the forehead of each person in turn with these words: Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return. THE SOLEMN LITURGY FOR ASH WEDNESDAY Page 4 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

The Choir sings during the imposition of ashes. The sit THE ANTHEM AT THE IMPOSITION The Parish Choir Sign us with ashes, merciful God, children of dust, as to dust we return. Sign us with ashes, merciful God; mark us and make us your own. Surely, you alone can save us. You pay our price with precious blood. Reaching through your great compassion, you lift up your people with love. Sign us with ashes, merciful God, children of dust, as to dust we return. Sign us with ashes, merciful God; mark us and make us your own. Surely, you alone uphold us. You give us strength for all our needs. Shielding with a father s favor, you bless us with pardon and peace. Sign us with ashes, merciful God, children of dust, as to dust we return. Sign us with ashes, merciful God; mark us and make us your own. Surely, you alone can heal us. Yours is the will to make us whole. Soothing with a mother s kindness, the contrite of heart, you console. Sign us with ashes, merciful God, children of dust, as to dust we return. Sign us with ashes, merciful God; mark us and make us your own. Surely, you alone can free us. You break the bonds of guilt and sin. Bracing, till we walk uprightly, you bolster our hope once again. Sign us with ashes, merciful God, children of dust, as to dust we return. Sign us with ashes, merciful God; mark us and make us your own. Words: Mary Louise Bringle Music: Tony Alonso The kneel or sit as able The stand After all who desire ashes have received them, the leads the congregation in The Absolution. THE ABSOLUTION Accomplish in us, O God, the work of your salvation, that we may show forth your glory in the world. By the cross and Passion of your Son, our Lord, bring us with all your saints to the joy of his resurrection. Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, does not desire the death of sinners, but rather that they may turn from their wickedness and live. Therefore we implore him to grant us true repentance and his Holy Spirit, that those things may please him which we do on this day, that the rest of our life may be pure and holy, and that at the last we may come to his eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. THE SALUTATION AND COLLECT OF THE DAY From our God who loves us with an everlasting love, who brings forth a new creation in Christ, who leads us by the Spirit in the wilderness: Grace and abundant mercy be with you all. And also with you. Let us pray. Almighty and ever-living God, you hate nothing you have made and you forgive the sins of all who are penitent. Create in us new and honest hearts, so that, truly repenting of our sins, we may obtain from you, the God of all mercy, full pardon and forgiveness; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. THE SOLEMN LITURGY FOR ASH WEDNESDAY Page 5 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

The Liturgy of the Word God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song The sit THE OLD TESTAMENT READING Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 Because of the coming Day of the Lord, the prophet Joel calls the people to a community lament. The repentant community reminds God of his gracious character and asks God to spare the people, lest the nations doubt God s power to save. Lector Lector A reading from Joel, the second chapter. Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming, it is near-- 2 a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness! Like blackness spread upon the mountains a great and powerful army comes; their like has never been from of old, nor will be again after them in ages to come. 12 Yet even now, says the LORD, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; 13 rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing. 14 Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the LORD, your God? 15 Blow the trumpet in Zion; sanctify a fast; call a solemn assembly; 16 gather the people. Sanctify the congregation; assemble the aged; gather the children, even infants at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her canopy. 17 Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep. Let them say, "Spare your people, O LORD, and do not make your heritage a mockery, a byword among the nations. Why should it be said among the peoples, 'Where is their God?'" The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. THE EPISTLE READING 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:10 The ministry of the gospel endures many challenges and hardships. Through this ministry, God s reconciling activity in the death of Christ reaches into the depths of our lives to bring us into a right relationship with God. In this way, God accepts us into the reality of divine salvation. Lector Lector A reading from Second Corinthians, the fifth and sixth chapters. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says, At an acceptable time I have listened to you, and on a day of salvation I have helped you. See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! 3 We are putting no obstacle in anyone s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, 7 truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. THE SOLEMN LITURGY FOR ASH WEDNESDAY Page 6 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

The stand THE SEQUENCE HYMN THE SOLEMN LITURGY FOR ASH WEDNESDAY Page 7 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

THE HOLY GOSPEL Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 In this passage Matthew sets forth a vision of genuine righteousness illustrated by three basic acts of Jewish devotion: almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. Jesus does not denounce these acts--in the New Testament they are signs of singular devotion to God. Rather, he criticizes those who perform them in order to have a sense of self-satisfaction or to gain public approval. Care for the poor, intense prayer, and fasting with a joyous countenance are signs of loving dedication to God. Gospeller The Holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew, the sixth chapter. Glory to you, O Lord. Jesus said to the disciples: 1 "Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 "So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 5 "And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 6 But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. "And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Gospeller The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. The sit THE HOMILY The Reverend Tony Bradshaw, Senior Pastor The stand THE NICENE CREED God has made us his people through our Baptism into Christ. Living together in trust and hope, we confess our faith. We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. THE SOLEMN LITURGY FOR ASH WEDNESDAY Page 8 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

The kneel or sit as able THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE The Lenten journey leads us to repentance and new life. Let us kneel and turn our hearts to God, who is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. The sing the following refrain two times. Intercessor Intercessor Intercessor Intercessor Intercessor Intercessor The stand Holy God, you gather your people in solemn assembly. Grant us grace, so that we may observe a holy Lent through fasting, prayer, and works of love. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. You give bountifully to your creatures. Provide for all animals whose winter rations are dwindling, and prepare the earth for renewal in coming weeks. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. You move your people to cry out for justice. Bring to light all the ways in which we oppress others. Turn us from our complacency, and move us to work on behalf of the oppressed. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. You lift up the poor. Care for all who know poverty of any kind: of health, of daily needs, of spirit. Pour your abundant mercy upon them. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. You turn people from their sin to live for you alone. Renew us in the covenant of baptism, that we might live in hope of a creation reconciled and restored. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. As we remember saints who have gone before us, guide us in our journey and open our lives to the cleansing and renewing power of your abundant forgiveness. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Into your hands, gracious God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen. THE PEACE The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you. The peace that passes all understanding is Christ s gift to us. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we share a gesture of God s peace with one another. THE SOLEMN LITURGY FOR ASH WEDNESDAY Page 9 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

The Liturgy of the Eucharist God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ The sit THE PREPARATION OF THE ALTAR AND COLLECTION OF ALMS An offering is gathered for the mission of the church, including the care of those in need. During this time, the table is set. After the offering is gathered, the gifts are brought forward. The pew envelopes marked Special Offering are intended for use in designating offerings beyond regular contributions. Please be sure to write on the envelope to what fund or organization this offering is intended. THE ANTHEM The Parish Choir Holy God, our lives are laid open before you: rescue us from the chaos of sin and through the death of your Son bring us healing and make us whole in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Words: Ash Wednesday Collect Music: Andrew March (b.1973) The stand AT THE PRESENTATION, THE OFFERTORY HYMN THE OFFERTORY PRAYER Let us pray. God our Redeemer, receive all we bring to you this day these gifts and the offerings of our lives. Refresh us with this holy food and drink that we may reach the promised land, the Easter feast of victory in Christ our Lord. Amen. THE SOLEMN LITURGY FOR ASH WEDNESDAY Page 10 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

THE SURSUM CORDA The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up our hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. THE PROPER PREFACE FOR THE SEASON OF LENT Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks. Through our observance of Lent you correct our faults and raise our minds to you, you help us to grow in holiness, and offer us the gift of everlasting life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Through him the angels and all the choirs of heaven worship in awe before your presence. May our voices be one with theirs as they sing with joy the hymn of your glory: THE SANCTUS AND BENEDICTUS THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER Holy, mighty, and merciful Lord, heaven and earth are full of your glory. In great love you sent to us Jesus, your Son, who reached out to heal the sick and suffering, who preached good news to the poor, and who, on the cross, opened his arms to all. THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. THE MEMORIAL ACCLAMATION For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. THE SOLEMN LITURGY FOR ASH WEDNESDAY Page 11 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

THE LORD S PRAYER And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray, 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 and ever. Amen. THE INVITATION TO HOLY COMMUNION These are the gifts of God for the people of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving. We do not presume to come to your Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in your manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy to gather up the crumbs under your Table. But you are the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us, therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of your dear Son Jesus Christ, and so to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen. THE FRACTION ANTHEM: AGNUS DEI The sit THE MINISTRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION All baptized Christians are welcome to Holy Communion at Saint James Church. If you desire to receive the Sacrament at the High Altar, please proceed through the Choir to approach the High Altar and kneel at the communion rail for the reception of the Blessed Sacrament. If you desire to receive the Sacrament at the Communion Station located below the pulpit in the Nave, please proceed toward the Chancel steps for the reception of the Blessed Sacrament from the Communion Assistant on the Nave level. The Sacrament is administered by the method of Intinction. Take the wafer from the Assistant then dip it in the wine. The Pastor will bring the sacrament to persons in the pews who are unable to come forward. Please advise an usher if you wish the pastor to do so. THE SOLEMN LITURGY FOR ASH WEDNESDAY Page 12 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

THE COMMUNION MOTET The Parish Choir Deep within, I will plant my law, not on stone, but in your heart. Follow me, I will bring you back, you will be my own, and I will be your God. I will give you a new heart, a new spirit within you, for I will be your strength. Deep within, I will plant my law, not on stone, but in your heart. Follow me, I will bring you back, you will be my own, and I will be your God. Seek my face, and see your God, for I will be your hope. Deep within, I will plant my law, not on stone, but in your heart. Follow me, I will bring you back, you will be my own, and I will be your God. Return to me, with all your heart, and I will bring you back. Deep within, I will plant my law, not on stone, but in your heart. Follow me, I will bring you back, you will be my own, and I will be your God. Words: Jeremiah 31:33, Ezekiel 36:26, Joel 2:12 Music: Setting by David Haas THE HYMN AT THE COMMUNION After the Choir has communed and returned to their places, Verse 1 will be repeated. THE SOLEMN LITURGY FOR ASH WEDNESDAY Page 13 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

The stand After all have communed then follows, THE EUCHARISTIC BLESSING The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. Amen. THE POSTCOMMUNION COLLECT Let us pray. Let this holy sacrament which we have received fill our hearts and minds with your heavenly grace, O Lord: that the fast which we have begun may be pleasing in your sight and may bring healing to our souls and bodies; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. THE BLESSING May the blessing of God Almighty, Father, +Son, and Holy Spirit be among you and remain with you always. Amen. THE HYMN AT THE PROCESSION ST. FLAVIAN THE DISMISSAL Go forth into the world to serve God with gladness; be of good courage; hold fast to that which is good; render to no one evil for evil; strengthen the fainthearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honor all people; love and serve God, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. Thanks be to God. THE DEPARTURE The depart in silence. + + + THE SOLEMN LITURGY FOR ASH WEDNESDAY Page 14 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

THE SOLEMN LITURGY FOR ASH WEDNESDAY Page 15 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

n the edge of the woods grows a larkspur. Its glorious blue blossom rising on its bending stalk from among the dark green curiously-shaped leaves fills the air with color. A passerby picks the flower, loses interest in it and throws it into the fire, and in a short moment all that is left of that splendid show is a thin streak of grey ash. What fire does in an instant, time is always doing to everything that lives. The delicate fern, the rooted oak, butterflies, darting swallows, nimble squirrels, heavy oxen, all of them, equally, sooner or later, by accident, disease, hunger, cold all these clear-cut forms, all this flourishing life, turns to a little ash, a handful of dry dust, which every breeze scatters this way and that. All this brilliant color, all this sensitive, breathing life, falls into pale, feeble, dead earth, and less than earth, into ashes. It is the same with ourselves. We look into an opened grave and shiver: a few bones, a handful of ash-grey dust. Remember man That dust thou art And unto dust shalt thou return. shes signify man s overthrow by time. Our own swift passage, ours and not someone else s, ours, mine. When at the beginning of Lent the priest takes the burnt residue of the green branches of the last Palm Sunday and inscribes with it on my forehead the sign of the cross, it is to remind me of my death. Memento homo Quia pulvis est Et in pulverem reverteris. verything turns to ashes, everything whatever. This house I live in, these clothes I am wearing, my household stuff, my money, my fields, meadows, woods, the dog that follows me, the clock in the hall, this hand I am writing with, these eyes that read what I write, all the rest of my body, people I have loved, people I have hated, or been afraid of, whatever was great in my eyes upon earth, whatever small and contemptible, all without exception will fall back into dust. Romano Guardini THE SOLEMN LITURGY FOR ASH WEDNESDAY Page 16 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA