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call to confession / declaration of forgiveness

holy week confession

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Call to Reconciliation
Confident of the hope received by the death of Christ, we bring our hearts –
broken, stained with sin, filled with failings – to the One who sprinkles
them with grace, cleansing them with the waters of life.

Unison Prayer of Confession
Like little children who can wander off in a crowded store, we have lost our
way, God of the grim day. We betray you when we do not befriend the poor; we
deny you when we are afraid to speak up for the voiceless; we turn our backs
on you when we do not do good for others; we crucify you when we harm our
family and friends.

At the foot of the cross, we stand with all who have forgotten you and
forsaken the way which you offer to us. Forgive us, Lamb of God, and fill us
with the mercy, the hope, the grace you poured out for us, as you gave your
life for the sins of the world.

Extended silence is kept

Assurance of Pardon
L:  Christ has lifted our suffering onto his shoulders, carrying all our
hurts and rejections into God’s heart. There, God casts them away into the
sea of forgetfulness, so we may be restored to hope and live as new people.
P:  Fed with grace, carried in God’s arms, we know that we are forgiven.
Thanks be to God. Amen.

Submitted by Rev. Thom Shuman, author of Lectionary Liturgies.

Maundy Thursday confession

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Call to Reconciliation
How is it people will recognize us as followers of Jesus? Simply by how we
treat one another. Let us confess how we have not loved as Christ loves us.

Unison Prayer of Confession
Creator and Loving God, you kneel to wash our feet, yet we are reluctant
for you to see all the places we have gone in our attempts to escape you.
You would bathe us in the warm, living waters of your love, and though we
splash and play in the puddles of temptation.  We have received all the
gifts you have to offer, yet we are tempted to think they are only for us,
rather than sharing them.

Forgive us, Holy One, and have mercy on us.  What can we give you for all
your wonderful graciousness towards us?  As you have broken your heart for
us, may we open ours in service to others.  As you have given your life for
us, may we offer ours to bring healing to the world.  As you have called us
together around your Table, may we go forth to feed a world hungry, not only
for food, but for that Spirit which brings peace and reconciliation.  This
we pray as servants of Jesus Christ, who came to serve us in life, in death,
in resurrection hope.

Silence is kept

Assurance of Pardon
L:  On this holiest of nights, we have received the good news:  God has come
in Christ Jesus, to fill us with hope and peace, to bathe us in grace and
mercy.
P:    In remembrance, we go forth:
to bring hope where despair resides;
to be servants to those who are broken;
to love as selflessly as we are loved by Jesus Christ, our Lord and
Savior.        Amen.

 

Submitted by Rev. Thom Shuman, author of Lectionary Liturgies.

Easter prayer: we come in hope

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Resurrecting God, we have come to see the stone rolled away.
We come in hope that no matter who we are,
no matter where life has taken us,
no matter what choices we have made,
no matter what sins we have committed,
we will find Christ in this place.
The empty tomb assures us that nothing we can do is beyond your power to recreate.
Be with us as we celebrate the beauty of new life, we ask in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray saying:

Our Father…

 

Submitted by Rev. Martha Spong, First Congregational Church, North Yarmouth Maine.

(note from liturgylink…this would also adapt into a really great call to confession!)

Easter Confession

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Call to Reconciliation
Very early in the morning, God created all that is
good and beautiful.  Very early in the morning,
a mother placed her newborn in a manger.  Very
early in the morning, the good news was shared
with frightened friends, that Jesus was risen and
alive in our midst.  Let us confess the fears and
the amazement we bring this morning . . .

Unison Prayer of Confession
On this morning of hallelujahs, we must confess how
human we are, Emptier of tombs.  We haven’t done
any great evil, but we have failed to do good when
we had the chance.  We have not intentionally hurt
any one, nor have we offered healing to the broken.
We easily accept the witness of the angel in the tomb,
but find it difficult to share this good news with our
friends and neighbors.
Bring us new life, Dazzling God.  Where we are tired
and stressed, give us the energy to serve your creation;
transform our hardened hearts into fountains of grace;
forgive us of all the damage we have done, and fill us
with the joy of your Spirit.  In the name of Jesus Christ,
who gives us new life, we pray.

Silent Prayers may be offered.

Assurance of Pardon:
L:    God, our Creator, gives us new life;
Christ, our Redeemer, prepares a Table for us;
Holy Spirit, our Joy, calls us to service.
This is the good news: the tomb is empty, sin
is powerless, death is defeated forever.
P:    On this very first day, and every day, we walk
as God’s people, forgiven and made whole.
Thanks be to God.  Amen.

 

Submitted by Rev. Thom Shuman, author of Lectionary Liturgies.

call 2 confession / declaration of grace: good news / bad news

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Call to Confession

We are capable of making decisions that show regard for everyone…
but we are also capable of making decisions that don’t.
So please join me in the prayer of confession, printed in the bulletin,
followed by a moment of silent reflection and personal confession.

Declaration of Grace

The bad news is…
no matter what you do or don’t do,
these lush, shiny, green palm leaves
are going to eventually wither, dry, and turn brown.

But the good news is…
no matter what you do or don’t do,
The tireless, relentless, limitless love of God
Always remains, unshakably, the same.

So let’s sing and give thanks to God!

Submitted by Scott Cervas, pastor at Meadowthorpe Presbyterian Church (Lexington, KY)