Call to Confession
Friends, we are made in the image of God, but that does not make us God. Though we often prefer to pretend we are perfect, when we ignore our sin we deceive only ourselves and there is no room for God’s truth to dwell in us. When we confess our sin, we experience the grace and mercy of God in the here and now. Before God, with the people of God, let us confess to our faults and our failings. Let us pray.
Prayer of Confession
Creator God, with a word you formed us from the dust of the earth and breathed the breath of life into us. You call us to live as stewards, reflecting your glorious image into the world.
When we have scorned your gift of creation, placing ourselves over and above rather than within and among, forgive us.
When we have ignored your gift of creativity, believing it inferior to the gifts of the intellect, forgive us.
When we have sought you in heaven and ignored you on earth, forgive us.
~silence~
Gracious God,
fill us again with your creative spirit, that your image may shine forth in our lives. We pray in the name of your creating Word made flesh, Jesus the Christ. Amen.
Declaration of Forgiveness
In the beginning, God planted goodness deep within creation—and through the grace of God, poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, we are able to live as the Body of Christ, showing that goodness to the world. Friends, live and believe this good news: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Teri Peterson, the Presbyterian Church of Palatine, IL
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