For the Ash Wednesday Service our Australian Studies Center attended an Anglican Church. The service was beatiful - bells and smells! I just did a quick search and it looks to me like there are Anglican churches in the US but this was my first Anglican visit. I would imagine part of the beauty was the magnificent building of St. James. None the less, the order of service and the intentionality of the words chosen in the bulletin were very impactful. I am organizing my endless copious class/church notes and thought I might share some of the beauty...

Forgive us for remaining silent and bound by fear
Give us the courage to speak and act with justice.

Forgive us for our arrogance in closing our eyes to other peoples and cultures.
Enable us to know your redeeming power.

Forgive us for disfiguring this land and despoiling its bounty.
Come, Holy Spirit, renew the whole creation.

Forgive us for despising the cultures of others and taking away their self-respect.
Give us grace to bind one another's wounds.

Forgive us for not listening to the grief of all who are oppressed in this land.
Draw us together as one people.

Forgive us for our prejudice and indifference towards those whose ways differ from our ways.
Strengthen us to live with respect and compassion for one another.

Father, we pray for all your holy catholic Church;
that we may all be one in Christ.

Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you;
that your name be glorified by everyone.

We pray for all bishops, priests, and deacons;
that they may be faithful ministers of your word and sacraments.

We pray for all who govern and exercise authority in the nations of the world;
that there may be peace and justice among all.

Have compassion on those who suffer, or are in sickness, grief or trouble;
that they may be delivered from their distress.

We give you thanks for all who have died in Christ, especially those anniversaries we commemorate around this time,
may they rest in peace and rise with Christ in glory.

Restore us, good Lord, and let your anger depart from us:
hear us, Lord, for your mercy is great.

By the cross and passion of your Son our Lord:
bring us with your saints to the glory of his resurrection.

Jesus, Lover of my soul,
Let me to thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll,
while the tempest still is high:
Hide me, O my Savior, hide
Till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide,
O receive my soul at last.
Other refuge have I none,
Hangs my helpless soul on thee;
Leave, ah, leave me not alone,
Still support and comfort me.
All my trust on thee is stayed,
All my help on thee I bring;
Cover my defenseless head
With the shadow of thy wing.
Thou, O Christ, art all I want,
More than all three I find:
Raise the fallen, cheer the faith,
Heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Just and holy is thy name,
I am all unrighteousness;
False and full of sin I am,
Thou art full of truth and grace.
Plenteous grace with thee is found,
Grace to cover all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound,
Make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art,
Freely let me take of thee,
Spring thou up within my heart,
Rise to all eternity.
- Charles Wesley

Be encouraged/Be inspired.