John Paarlberg

This article is part of a series that contains the following article and resources: Genuine Sorrow...Wholehearted Joy—Confession: The Why, When, and How of ConfessionLent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5 | Palm/Passion Sunday|This service of confession is part of a series for the season of Lent based on the texts of the Revised Common Lectionary, Year C, but can be used for non-lectionary services as well. Each prayer begins and concludes with a stanza from "God, Be Merciful to Me" a setting of Psalm 51. For thoughtful fodder on the place of confession in worship see the article by the same author, "Genuine Sorrow...Wholehearted Joy: The Why, When, and How of ConfessionPALM / PASSION SUNDAYScriptureIsaiah 50:4-9aPsalm 31:9-16 or Psalm 118:l-2,19-29Philippians 2:5-11Luke 19:28-40 or Luke 22:14-23:56 or Luke 23:1-49Psalm 118:1-2,19-29Call to Confession (see 1 Peter 2:4-7)The very stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Come now to Christ, that living stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious. Whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.Trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ, let us confess our sins before God and one another.Prayer of ConfessionGod, be merciful to me; on thy grace I rest my plea. Plenteous in compassion thou, blot out my transgressions now; my transgressions I confess; grief and guilt my soul oppress; I have sinned against thy grace, and provoked thee to thy face.O Lord, who on this day entered the rebellious city which later rejected you:we confess that our wills are as rebellious as Jerusalem's, that our faith is often more show than substance, that our hearts are in need of cleansing. Have mercy on us, Son of David, Savior of our lives. Help us to lay at your feetall that we have and all that we are, trusting you to forgive what is sinful, to heal what is broken, to welcome our praises, and to receive us as your own.Gracious God, my heart renew, make my spirit right and true; from my sins O hide thy face, blot them out in boundless grace. Cast me not away rom thee; let thy Spirit dwell in me; thy salvations joy impart; steadfast make my willing heart.Assurance of Pardon (see 1 Peter 2:9-10)Once you were not a people,but now you are God's people;once you had not received mercy,but now you have received mercy.You are God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.Receive the good news of the gospel: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.

This article is part of a series that contains the following article and resources: Genuine Sorrow...Wholehearted Joy—Confession: The Why, When, and How of ConfessionLent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5 | Palm/Passion Sunday|This service of confession is part of a series for the season of Lent based on the texts of the Revised Common Lectionary, Year C, but can be used for non-lectionary services as well. Each prayer begins and concludes with a stanza from "God, Be Merciful to Me" a setting of Psalm 51. For thoughtful fodder on the place of confession in worship see the article by the same author, "Genuine Sorrow...Wholehearted Joy: The Why, When, and How of ConfessionLENT VScriptureIsaiah 43:16-21 Psalm 126 Philippians 3:4b-14 John 12:1-8Call to Confession (Romans 5:8, Hebrews 4:16)The proof of God's amazing love is this: While we were sinners, Christ died for us. Because we have faith in him, we dare to approach God with confidence, trusting that God will forgive our sin and cleanse us from every kind of wrong.Let us confess our sins to Almighty God.Prayer of ConfessionGod, be merciful to me; on thy grace I rest my plea.Plenteous in compassion thou, blot out my transgressions now;my transgressions I confess; grief and guilt my soul oppress;I have sinned against thy grace, and provoked thee to thy face.God of compassion, in Jesus Christ you did not disdain the company of sinners but welcomed them with love. Look upon us in mercy, we pray. Our sins are more than we can bear; our pasts enslave us; our misdeeds are beyond correcting. Forgive the wrongs we cannot undo; free us from a past we cannot change; heal what we can no longer fix. Grace our lives with your love and turn the tears of our past into the joys of new life with you.Gracious God, my heart renew, make my spirit right and true;from my sins O hide thy face, blot them out in boundless grace.Cast me not away from thee; let thy Spirit dwell in me;thy salvations joy impart; steadfast make my willing heart.Assurance of Pardon (1 Timothy 1:15, 1 Peter 2:24)Hear the good news! The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness.Receive the good news of the gospel: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.

This article is part of a series that contains the following article and resources: Genuine Sorrow...Wholehearted Joy—Confession: The Why, When, and How of ConfessionLent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5 | Palm/Passion Sunday|This service of confession is part of a series for the season of Lent based on the texts of the Revised Common Lectionary, Year C, but can be used for non-lectionary services as well. Each prayer begins and concludes with a stanza from "God, Be Merciful to Me" a setting of Psalm 51. For thoughtful fodder on the place of confession in worship see the article by the same author, "Genuine Sorrow...Wholehearted Joy: The Why, When, and How of Confession LENT IVScriptureJoshua 5:9-12 Psalm 322 Corinthians 5:16-21 Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32Call to Confession (1 John 1:8-9)If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.Let us confess our sins to Almighty God.Prayer of ConfessionGod, be merciful to me; on thy grace I rest my plea.Plenteous in compassion thou, blot out my transgressions now;my transgressions I confess; grief and guilt my soul oppress;I have sinned against thy grace, and provoked thee to thy face.Almighty God, in Jesus Christ you love us, but we have not loved you. You have opened your heart to us, and in our pride we have spurned your care. You have given us all things, and we have squandered your gifts. We have grieved you and caused hurt to others, and we are not worthy to be called your children. Have mercy on us, O Lord, for we are ashamed and sorry for all we have done to displease you. Cleanse us from our sin, and receive us once again into your household, that we might never more stray from your love but always remain within the sound of your voice.Gracious God, my heart renew, make my spirit right and true;from my sins O hide thy face, blot them out in boundless grace.Cast me not away from thee; let my Spirit dwell in me;thy salvations joy impart; steadfast make my willing heartAssurance of Pardon (2 Corinthians 5:17-18)If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: the old life has passed away; everything has become new! All this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.Receive the good news of the gospel: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.

This article is part of a series that contains the following article and resources: Genuine Sorrow...Wholehearted Joy—Confession: The Why, When, and How of ConfessionLent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5 | Palm/Passion Sunday|This service of confession is part of a series for the season of Lent based on the texts of the Revised Common Lectionary, Year C, but can be used for non-lectionary services as well. Each prayer begins and concludes with a stanza from "God, Be Merciful to Me" a setting of Psalm 51. For thoughtful fodder on the place of confession in worship see the article by the same author, "Genuine Sorrow...Wholehearted Joy: The Why, When, and How of Confession LENT IIIScriptureIsaiah 55:1-9 Psalm 63:1-8 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 Luke 13:1-9Call to Confession (Isaiah 55:6-7)Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.Trusting ourselves to the grace of God, let us confess our sin before God and one another.Prayer of ConfessionGod, be merciful to me; on thy grace I rest my plea.Plenteous in compassion thou, blot out my transgressions now;my transgressions I confess; grief and guilt my soul oppress;I have sinned against thy grace, and provoked thee to thy face.Everlasting God, fountain of all life and the true home of every heart: our hearts are restless until they rest in you. Yet we confess that our hearts have been enslaved by selfish passion and base desire. We have sought after many things and have neglected the one thing needful. We have not loved you with our whole heart and mind and strength. Loving God, who alone can fill our deepest longings and quiet our restless hearts, help us to turn to you and find forgiveness. Lead us home that we may again find in you our life and joy and peace.Gracious God, my heart renew, make my spirit right and true;from my sins O hide thy face, blot them out in boundless graceCast me not away from thee; let thy Spirit dwell in me;thy salvations joy impart; steadfast make my willing heart.Assurance of Pardon (Matthew 11:28-30)Jesus said: Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.Receive the good news of the gospel: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.

This article is part of a series that contains the following article and resources: Genuine Sorrow...Wholehearted Joy—Confession: The Why, When, and How of ConfessionLent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5 | Palm/Passion Sunday|This service of confession is part of a series for the season of Lent based on the texts of the Revised Common Lectionary, Year C, but can be used for non-lectionary services as well. Each prayer begins and concludes with a stanza from "God, Be Merciful to Me" a setting of Psalm 51. For thoughtful fodder on the place of confession in worship see the article by the same author, "Genuine Sorrow...Wholehearted Joy: The Why, When, and How of ConfessionLENT IIScriptureGenesis 15:1-12,17-18 Psalm 27Philippians 3:17-4:1 Luke 13:31-35Call to Confession (Isaiah 54:7-8)For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great compassion I will gather you, says the Lord. In overflowing wrath for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you, says the Lord your Redeemer.Let us confess our sins to Almighty God.Prayer of ConfessionGod, be merciful to me; on thy grace I rest my plea. Plenteous in compassion thou, blot out my transgressions now; my transgressions I confess; grief and guilt my soul oppress; I have sinned against thy grace, and provoked thee to thy face.God of mercy,whose son Jesus Christ longs to gather usin the wide embrace of his love:we confess that we have been wayward children.We have disobeyed your commands;our ears have been deaf to your call;our hearts have been cold to your love.In thought, in word, and in deedwe have hurt others and dishonored your name.In your great mercy receive us yet again as your well-beloved children, not because we are worthy but for the sake of him who loved us and gave himself for us.Gracious God, my heart renew, make my spirit right and true; from my sins O hide thy face, blot them out in boundless grace. Cast me not away from thee; let thy Spirit dwell in me; thy salvations joy impart; steadfast make my willing heart.Assurance of Pardon (Isaiah 49:15,66:13)Can a woman forget her nursing child,or show no compassion on the child of her womb?Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.As a mother comforts her child,so will I comfort you, [says the Lord.]Receive the good news of the gospel: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.

This article is part of a series that contains the following article and resources: Genuine Sorrow...Wholehearted Joy—Confession: The Why, When, and How of ConfessionLent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5 | Palm/Passion Sunday|This service of confession is part of a series for the season of Lent based on the texts of the Revised Common Lectionary, Year C, but can be used for non-lectionary services as well. Each prayer begins and concludes with a stanza from "God, Be Merciful to Me" a setting of Psalm 51. For thoughtful fodder on the place of confession in worship see the article by the same author, "Genuine Sorrow...Wholehearted Joy: The Why, When, and How of Confession.   LENT IScriptureDeuteronomy 26:1-11 Psalm 91:1-19-16 Romans 10:8b-13 Luke 4:1-13Call to Confession (Hebrews 4:15-16)Remember that our Lord Jesus Christ is able to sympathize with us in our weaknesses. In every respect he was tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.Let us confess our sins to Almighty God.Prayer of ConfessionGod, be merciful to me; on thy grace I rest my plea. Plenteous in compassion thou, blot out my transgressions now; my transgressions I confess; grief and guilt my soul oppress; I have sinned against thy grace, and provoked thee to thy face.Most merciful God,whose son Jesus Christ was tempted in every way,yet without sin, we confess before you our own sinfulness:we have hungered after that which does not satisfy;we have compromised with evil;we have doubted your power to protect us. Forgive our lack of faith; have mercy on our weakness. Restore in us such trust and love that we may walk in your ways and delight in doing your will.Gracious God, my heart renew, make my spirit right and true; from my sins O hide thy face, blot them out in boundless grace. Cast me not away from thee; let thy Spirit dwell in me; thy salvations joy impart; steadfast make my willing heart.Assurance of Pardon (from Psalm 91:14-16)Those who love me, I will deliver, says the Lord;I will protect those who know my name.When they call to me, I will answer them;I will be with them in trouble,I will rescue them and honor them.With long life I will satisfy them,and show them my salvation.Receive the good news of the gospel: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.

Pentecost Prayer Holy Spirit, Lord and Giver of Life: At the beginning of time you moved over the face of the waters; you breathe into every living being the breath of life. Come, Creator Spirit, and renew the whole creation. Sung Refrain (see p. 37 for music) Come, Holy Spirit. Come, Holy Spirit. Maranatha!Come, Lord, come.

The Albany Synod of the Reformed Church in America (RCA) presented a conference in October, 1994, entitled "The Earth Is the Lord's: A Creation Celebration." The conference began Friday evening with a worship service, and continued all day Saturday with an address by Loren Wilkinson, several workshops, and three worship times—morning, noon, and afternoon. Rev. John Paarlberg, from the Office for Social Witness for the RCA, prepared the four worship services.

In an article titled 'A Wretch Like Who?" (America, 1/29/94) Brian Abel Ragen notes that some contemporary versions of 'Amazing Grace" have changed the line "that saved a wretch like me" to "that saved and strengthened me." Ragen writes:

The traditional service of nine lessons and carols traces the story of our salvation from the disobedience of Adam and Eve to the birth of Christ. In this service, following each carol, a symbol is brought forward. (You'll find the symbols in boldfaced type in the leader's readings.) Each of these symbols recall the lesson just read and also point to our redemption in Christ.