Ash Wednesday is observed by our church, not by mere custom or tradition, rather with the conviction that we need to reconcile to God. This is the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of prayer, fasting and meditation as we remember the events leading to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Please take note that the following sermon is provided with the permission of Rev. Martha Dominy. While the message was posted online a year ago on February 17, 2021, it remains to be relevant for each one of us today.
Prelude: “Balm in Gilead”, by Roger C. Wilson
Call to Worship & Invocation
Hymn: “O How I Love Jesus” Words: Frederick Whitfield, 1855, Music: 19th Century American melody
There is a name I love to hear,
I love to speak its worth;
It sounds like music in mine ear,
The sweetest name on earth.
Refrain
O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
Because He first loved me!
It tells me of a Savior’s love,
Who died to set me free;
It tells me of His precious blood,
The sinner’s perfect plea. Refrain
Scripture: Joel 2:12-19
Sermon: HOUSECLEANING TIME by Rev. Martha Dominy
Solo: “Search Me, O God”. Richard Freeman — Words by James E. Orr; Music—a Maori Melody
Prayer
Hymn: “Softly and Tenderly” Words and Music: Will L. Thompson, 1880
Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
Calling for you and for me;
See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching,
Watching for you and for me.
Refrain
Come home, come home,
You who are weary, come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling, O sinner, come home!
Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,
Pleading for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not His mercies,
Mercies for you and for me? Refrain
Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing,
Passing from you and from me;
Shadows are gathering, death’s night is coming,
Coming for you and for me. Refrain
O for the wonderful love He has promised,
Promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon,
Pardon for you and for me. Refrain
Benediction
Postlude: “Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley” by Hugh S. Livingston, Jr., based on a traditional Appalachian tune
Organist/Pianist: Ms. Marilyn Glover
Rev. Martha Dominy received two Master Degrees to her name. She finished her Master of Divinity Degree in Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary now Palmer Theological Seminary in St. Davids, Pennsylvania. Also, she obtained her Master of Arts Degree in Christian Education from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Lisle, Illinois. In 1989, Martha was called as the new associate pastor when Paul Davis, the church’s associate pastor resigned to become Chaplain to Habitat for Humanity. In 1995, the church called Pastor Martha to serve as Acting Pastor as the church searched for the next senior pastor. In 1997, the church decided to call and installed Pastor Martha to become the first woman senior Pastor in 194 years of the church’s existence. For the record, Rev. Martha Dominy, is the only ordained woman Senior Pastor in the church’s 217 years history and counted among 28 male senior Pastors that ministered to the church. She served with faithful dedication and diligence as Pastor and Administrator of the church’s assets as well.