God is ready to show us mercy

SCRIPTURE VERSE FOR THIS WEEK
“Come back to the Lord your God, because he is kind and shows mercy. He doesn’t become angry quickly, and he has great love.”
Joel 2:13 (NCV)

SAY, PRAY AND BLESS:

A Prayer for Ash Wednesday:
Lord Jesus, help us to treasure you in our hearts today. Amen.
(Matthew 6:21)

Mealtime Prayer:
We thank you, God, for all your love, your mercy and your grace; for home and kin and food upon our plates. Amen.

A Blessing to Give:
May you know God’s mercy and never-ending love. May he give you a pure heart and a willing spirit. Amen. (Psalm 51:1,10,12)

CARING CONVERSATIONS
Discuss in your household or small group:
• Share about a time when you felt badly about something you had said,
thought or done.
• God invites us to bring all our wrongs to him, promising that he will
forgive us. What has he done to make that possible?
• How do you feel about God’s mercy? What difference has it made in your life?

DEVOTIONS
Fasting (going without food) is a traditional Lenten practice. Jesus speaks of fasting in Matthew 6:16-19. Choose to forgo a household meal on one day of this week. Gather instead to listen to a reading of Psalm 51. Talk about what this Psalm says and how it applies to your lives.

SERVICE
Consider giving up a household treat food or activity for Lent. Put aside the amount of money saved by doing so. Decide on a charitable cause and donate the money at the end of Lent.

RITUALS AND TRADITIONS
Traditionally, Christians receive ashes on their heads on this day as a reminder of their mortality and a sign of sorrow for sin. This Wednesday have a small Ash Wednesday observance in your home. Prepare in advance a small bowl of ashes to use.
Leader: God’s Word tells us that our earthen bodies will one day return to dust (Genesis 3:19). But, Jesus Christ saves us from sin (Romans 8:11). As Lent begins today, let us pray for faith in him.
Prayer: Lord God, as the season of Lent begins today, we confess our need for a Savior. Help us to trust and follow Jesus. Amen.
Take turns making the sign of the cross with ashes on one another’s foreheads, saying these words: “Repent and look to Jesus your Savior, for dust you are, and to dust you shall return.”
Leader: God remembers that we are dust and has compassion for us. The Lord’s love is with those who worship him. Go in peace. Amen.

DAILY BIBLE READINGS
These readings are related to the Lectionary readings for this Sunday.
We invite you to take time each day to read the assigned
Bible passages.
Wednesday Matthew 6:1-6,16-21 The practice of faith
Thursday Isaiah 55:1-7 Turn to the Lord
Friday Joel 2:1-2,12-17 Return to God
Saturday Psalm 51:7-15 Wash me clean
Sunday Matthew 4:1-11 The temptation of Jesus