Lord, receive these offerings,
not because they’re anything special,
but because generosity is part of the work
you have given us to do
in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Covenant Presbyterian Church, West Des Moines, IA
Luke 17
confession: repent
God of grace,
you promise to make all things new
and draw us into whole and loving relationships.
We confess that we have not believed in your forgiveness.
We have held our neighbors’ mistakes and failures against them,
and we have refused to share the mercy you offer us so freely.
Now, we repent.
Forgive us, Lord, and lead us into a new beginning.
Make us your people again,
for we choose to be reconciled
in Jesus’ name.
Submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Echo Hill Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids, IA
confession: the corner of easy choices
Call to Reconciliation
Despite our foolish and angry words, God continues to speak of mercy to us.
Despite our best efforts to be faithless in our living, God remains faithful
in keeping the promise to forgive us and restore us to wholeness. Let us
confess our sins to God, so that God’s hope and grace might endure in our
brokenness.
Unison Prayer of Confession
God beyond borders, we know that on our way to worship, we may not have
noticed the exiles in our neighborhoods. We admit how easy it is for us to
wander down the streets of temptation, pausing at the corner of easy
choices. We fall silent in the presence of those who speak words of anger
and hate. We tolerate a culture that suspects all who are different from us.
Have mercy on us, O God, for surely you take the side of justice. Open
our hearts to all the wonders you are performing in our lives. You gift us
with those of other cultures, that our lives might be blessed. You send us
friends out of places we least expect, that our community might be enriched.
You call us to be generous with our blessings, so others might be graces
with the gift of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Silence is kept
Assurance of Pardon
L: God challenges us, God encourages us. God confronts us, and God accepts
us. God works wonders in our midst and gives us the eyes, the hearts, the
souls to see such miracles.
P: God forgives us, God guides us through the wilderness of the world, God
leads us home. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Thom Shuman, Lectionary Liturgies.
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