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confession: reform and transform

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Call to Reconciliation
Seeking to follow Jesus, we often wander down the wrong roads. Impatient
with God’s schedule, we rush off to do things our way. Let us confess our
foolishness, that we might receive God’s hope for our lives.

Unison Prayer of Confession
Your words are given to us, Author of Life, so we might be reformed,
but we are intent on changing others.  Your words are offered to us so we
might be transformed, but we are focused on conforming to our culture. Your
words are spoken to lead us into new life, but we hold our old ways tight to
our chests.
Forgive us, God of Wonder. Do not remember our sins, but continue to
touch us with your steadfast mercy. Show us how to be persistent in living
out our faith, even as you were so tenacious in offering us your grace and
life in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Silence is kept

Assurance of Pardon
L:  Jesus reminds us that we are to be resolute in our lives of faithfulness
and service.  The good news is that God is steadfast in filling us with love
and grace.
P:  We are forgiven people. May we live as sisters and brothers in Christ,
God’s children in word and deed, in hope and joy. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Submitted by Rev. Thom Shuman, Lectionary Liturgies.

CTW: etches grace

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L:  We have gathered in God’s holy presence,
the One who etches grace on our hearts.
P:  This is the place where God
will transform us into disciples.
L:  We glorify our God, who yearns for justice,
not just for a favored few, but for the least of our world.
P:  This is the place where God
will write compassion on our souls.
L:  We give thanks to God for unceasing grace;
we remember God’s persistence in saving us.
P:  This is the place where God
P:  will breathe the Word into our lives.

 

Submitted by Rev. Thom Shuman, Lectionary Liturgies.

singing prayer: Joy of Our Mornings

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Originally designed to be sung during the Great Prayer of Thanksgiving

Joy of Our Mornings (tune:  Bunessan, Morning Has Broken)

God of creation, Lord of all beauty,
all creatures join in singing your love;
holy compassion, joy of our mornings,
fill us with grace which comes from above.

Christ of the outcast, comfort of mourners,
neighbor to strangers, love without end;
bearer of burdens, grace ever-with-us,
blessing our children, brother and friend.

Spirit of kindness, breath of forgiveness,
faithful companion, just as Christ said;
God’s little children gathered together,
drink of salvation, feast on your bread.

 

Submitted by Rev. Thom M. Shuman, Interim Pastor, Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Cincinnati, OH

CTW: different roads

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L: Our world offers many wide avenues
and beautiful boulevards to walk;
P: Our God invites us to walk the road
of service and sacrifice.
L: Our society suggests we put down our roots
in the shallow soil of pleasure and greed.
P: Our God seeks to plant us on the banks of hope,
watered by the rivers of joy and grace.
L: Our culture promotes achievement, success,
climbing to the top, ringing the bell.
P: Our God tells us if we want to be first
we need to go to the end of the line.

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

confession: hem

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Call to Reconciliation
We know the words we have spoken which have
broken a relationship; we know the deeds we have
done which separate us from friends and families.
We know how we have failed to be faithful followers
of Jesus.  Let us confess our sins, trusting that God
will touch us with the healing power of grace.

Unison Prayer of Confession
All too often, God of Excellence, it is the hem of
sin we cling to, letting it drag us through the mud of
fear and failures.  You offer us that love which will
always be with us, but we find it difficult to share it
with those who need it most.  You fill us with an
abundance of gifts, but we think we need them all
for ourselves.
Forgive us, God of Gentle Hope.  You do not
keep a list of all that we have done wrong, but erase
our failings and foolishness, writing a new ending for
our lives.  You touch us with your grace, you lift us to
our feet, you strengthen us so we may follow our Lord
and Savior, Jesus Christ, in service to all your children.

Silence is kept

Assurance of Pardon
L:    This is the good news, dear friends:  God’s love
has no ending; God’s hope rests upon us each day;
God’s forgiveness restores us to new life.
P:    Our God listens to us – to our cries, and to our joys;
to our hopes and to our hearts.  Thanks be to God,
we are forgiven.  Amen.

 

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