Ash Wednesday & a Baptismal Font?

 

                                                                  Baptismal Font.  Iona Abbey

Back in the year 2000 when the United Church, still had the inclination and money to create and publish worship resources, the denomination published Celebrate God's Presence: A Book of Services. I thought it was excellent then and I still do. 

I decided to take a look at what was there for Ash Wednesday and, lo and behold, there are a couple of thoughtful services, including one that appears to draw on the Iona Christian "an international, ecumenical Christian movement working for justice and peace, the rebuilding of community and the renewal of worship."

There is a progression beginning with a focus on the waters of baptism rather than the ashes we usually associate with this solemn observance. I am intrigued that they chose a portion of the powerful Creation psalm, 104, one of my favourites. 

All are invited to come to the baptismal font to dip their hands in the water or to have water poured over their hands, as a reminder of their baptism and the call to leave behind the past and start on a new journey.

 Out of the waters of baptism we rise to new life,

cleansed, renewed, and one with Christ.

 Planning for the Journey

 Scripture          Psalm 104: 24-28   

O Lord, how manifold are your works!
    In wisdom you have made them all;
    the earth is full of your creatures.
 There is the sea, great and wide;
    creeping things innumerable are there,
    living things both small and great.
 There go the ships
    and Leviathan that you formed to sport in it.

 These all look to you
    to give them their food in due season;
 when you give to them, they gather it up;
    when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.                                                                

Look at your hands—see the touch and tenderness;                  

God’s own for the world.        

.         

Iona Community