Gather us in, O God,
Your people are here to worship!
Hold us in faith, O God,
We are here to serve.
Send us in hope, O God,
We are here to follow.
Submitted by Rev. Elaine Murray Dreeben, Canyon Lake Presbyterian Church, Canyon Lake TX
ElaineMD
confession: short-sighted
Faithful God, we confess our own short-sightedness. Instead of placing all our trust in you and going forward in faith, we have given ourselves to other gods: proven results, quick fixes, and easy outs. Welcome us again into your loving arms. Be quick to forgive us and restore us to faith. Set our hope in you and remind us again of your mighty power and goodness. Help us to rededicate ourselves in your holy name. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Elaine Murray Dreeben, Canyon Lake Presbyterian Church, Canyon Lake TX
confession: withheld
We have withheld from you, O God, our deepest selves, choosing only to offer that which we see as marketable or usable, when we know you desire the fullness of our beings. We fail to honor you and the unique gifts you have given us by insisting that one is better than the other. Grant us grace, that we may accept one another and give freely of ourselves to the glory of your kingdom. Renew our minds, and change our ways, they they become your ways in the fullness of your wisdom. Help us to see ourselves and each other as we truly are, as you see us, rather than the puffed up vision we resort to often. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Elaine Murray Dreeben, Canyon Lake Presbyterian Church, Canyon Lake TX
confession: abandoned your mission
God of all time, of history, of things present, and of things to come, we confess our own abandonment of the mission you have given us. You gave us power through your Spirit and an indefinite timeline for your return. We have squandered time and wasted our gifts to fulfill selfish motives, separating us from one another. Like the disciples, we look to the sky for Jesus, instead of in the faces of the least of these among us. Forgive us, O God, and make us whole again. Reignite a holy passion within us, that we may fulfill your charge to be witnesses of your grace and glory. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Elaine Murray Dreeben, Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, Dallas, Texas
confession: we separate ourselves
Eternal God, your compassion waits for us around every corner, pursuing us to the depths of our existence. We separate ourselves from you by making destructive choices and living in ways that lead to death, rather than graciously receiving the gift of abundant life. Have mercy on us! Weep for us and with us, that by your power we may inhale the breath of your Spirit and know the freedom of forgiveness, restoration to wholeness, and life everlasting. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Elaine Murray Dreeben, Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, Dallas Texas
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