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call to confession / declaration of forgiveness

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The bulletin is probably printed, but there’s always more, isn’t there? There are children’s sermons, calls to confession, prayers of dedication, blessings, prayers for illumination…what images or words or phrases are you working with in the Other Parts this week? What theme are you hoping to carry through even when it’s not printed in the bulletin?

This week our call to confession and declaration of forgiveness are mountain-toppy. What do you have to share?

So often we think we understand, we think we know what God should be doing. But when we let our guard down and speak the truth about our confusion, God’s grace enters in. So we take this time to be honest about our limitations and our failures. Let us pray.

(prayer of confession)

On the mountaintop, Christ shows us who he truly is, and it is dazzling. On the mountaintop, Christ shows us who we truly are—children of God whose lives are made new by God’s grace and by the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Friends, believe and live this good news—in Jesus Christ, we can shine light for the world. Thanks be to God. Amen.

confession: our own ways

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Call to Reconciliation:

God begs us to turn from those words, those acts, those obstacles
which keep us from being God’s people. As we begin our Lenten journey,
I invite you to join with me, with words and in silence, as we bring
our brokenness to God who desires to make us whole.

Unison Prayer of Confession:

Too long have traveled our own ways, Approaching God, too long have
we sought to satisfy our hidden desires. We have trusted the
falsehoods of the world, and relied on the power which would consume
our souls. We have sought healing from impostors, and rejected the One
who was broken for our wholeness.
Have mercy on us, God whose love overflows our deepest hopes. Let
our hearts be a sanctuary for your Spirit; let our lives abound in
service to others; let our spirits reflect the One we call our Lord
and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Silence is observed

Assurance of Pardon:

L: God lets go of the punishment we deserve and gives us mercy in its
place. Willingly, God puts a new spirit into us, the spirit of hope
and joy.
P: We will sing to the One who has delivered us from our sins. We
will praise God with cleansed hearts. Thanks be to God. Amen.

confession and pardon: on a journey, complaining about the road

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God, we are on a journey. We do not know where it will end, and often complain about the road. We know that you are at work, and part of that work requires us to be open to you and to transformation. Forgive us when our hearts are closed to you. We do not always change, nor do we desire to go where you send us. When we harden our spirits to your transforming work, make us malleable. When the road seems long and we complain, show us a better way to be. When the mantle of your leadership is offered to us, help us to accept it. Give us ears to hear what you ask us to do, and hearts to follow. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon (based on 2 Corinthians 4:6)

It is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness” who shines in our hearts. Jesus Christ, the light of the world shines in each of us, and in him we find forgiveness. Friends, believe the good news: In Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.

Thanks be to God.

submitted by Rev. Julie Jensen, First Presbyterian Church, Cartersville, GA

call to confession: we just don’t have it all together

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Friends, anyone who says they have it all together is just not telling the truth. Let’s take this time to speak truth, to admit our failings, before God and each other. Let us pray.

(we pray together the prayer of confession in the bulletin)

Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation—the old way of living is gone, the new way has begun. Friends, believe and live this good news: in Jesus Christ, we are freed to live, love, and serve! Thanks be to God. Amen.

 

Submitted by the Rev. Teri Peterson, Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church, Crystal Lake IL.

confession: we settle

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“Beloved, as those who are in need of true and lasting healing, let us, as the family of God, approach the One who heals, saves and redeems us. Let us pray…”
Gracious, tender God, we bring to you our wounded souls, our selfish impulses, our arrogance. You offer us the kindom of heaven, yet we settle for earthly pursuits. Your ways are sometimes so simple, as you tell us “wash and be made clean”, but we insist on complicating grace. Forgive us, loving God. Replace our self-centeredness with your vision for the whole world. Restore us once again with your healing mercy, we pray in the name of the Christ, Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON:
“Brothers and sisters, children of the living God, it matters not who you are, how you got here, or what you brought with you. Christ chooses this day to make you clean. We are all forgiven. Thanks be to God!”

 

Submitted by the Rev. Julie Craig, who writes, prays, preaches and wears cute shoes as a minister member of Milwaukee Presbytery. She blogs at winsomelearnsome.wordpress.com.