PLANNING A NON-EUCHARISTIC LITURGY

Date: N/A

Focus: Ash Wednesday

Preparation

Group: Year 6, Whole

class

Required Props:
Bowl of ashes
Role of paper
Candle
How will symbols be displayed/used? (What specific action?):
The ashes will be used to make the sign of the cross and to stimulate
reflection upon personal sins. The candle will be used as a central focal
point for students to focus their thoughts and prayers.

Gather (Introductory Rites)

Place: Classroom

Feast: Lent, Ash

Wednesday
Time: 30 minutes

Welcome:
Students are to gather and sit in a circle with the
props in the centre of the circle. Remind students are
to remain silence with their arms and legs crossed.
This period in time is a time for reflection and
meditation. Leader to introduce liturgy:
Welcome everyone, we have gathered here today to
reflect upon ourselves and to ask for forgiveness from
God. Our focus is the bowl of ashes in front of us as a
symbol of sin and forgiveness. We will begin our
classroom liturgy by listening to a hymn.
Gathering Hymn:

Conroy, T. (2012). Ashes. [song]. Retrieved from:

http://www.sixmaddens.org/?p=1861

Ensure the paper

is rolled out with
the ashes and
the lit candle in
the centre of the
circle.

the Word) (Liturgy of Listen

Opening Prayer:
God we are marked with ashes,
Symbols of repentant hearts,
And contrite spirits.
We want to be transformed,
To be made new,
To learn the freedom,
Of serving no other mater but you.
Led us heed your call,
And walk with Christ,
Into the wilderness.
Help us to see beneath the surface,
Not denial and sacrifice,
Not sin and death,
But transformation,
New life in Christ.
Let us seek to be changed,
Let us seek to be so transfigured
By your power and glory,
That we desire above all else
To become worthy citizens,
Of your new world of peace and justice.
Amen.

Teacher/ Leader
to read opening
prayer.

Reading/s:
Psalm 51: 1-17
1 Have mercy on me, O God, because of your
unfailing love.
Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain
of my sins.
2 Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my
sin.
3 For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and
night.
4 Against you, and you alone, have I sinned;
I have done what is evil in your sight.
You will be proved right in what you say, and your
judgment against me is just.
5 For I was born a sinneryes,
from the moment my mother conceived me.
6 But you desire honesty from the womb, teaching
me wisdom even there.
7 Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash
me,
and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken
menow let me rejoice.

Students are to
go around the
circle and read
one verse each.
In between each
verse they have
to pause for 5
seconds in order
to reflect and
understand the
reading.

Share, Refect, Respond

Prayer/Refection/Action:
Direct three students at a time to stand up, place a
finger in the ashes and place a cross on the paper
while saying (if they wish),
God wash away my sins and help me to live like your
child.
Once the students have done this they are to sit back
down and reflect on the meaning of Lent while other
students make their cross.

Go & Tell (Concluding Rites)

9 Dont keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of

my guilt.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal
spirit within me.
11 Do not banish me from your presence,
and dont take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make
me willing to obey you.
13 Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will
return to you.
14 Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves;
then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness.
15 Unseal my lips, O Lord, that my mouth may praise
you.
16 You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.
You do not want a burnt offering.
17 The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.
You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O
God.

Dismissal:
Teacher to conclude and students to respond.
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
The presider then blesses the people.
May almighty God bless you,
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Concluding Hymn:
Students are to conclude in meditation and reflection
while listening to the words within this hymn:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=oyPBtExE4W0#t=39