Assurance of Pardon

The following originally appeared as part of "Grounded and Growing—Bearing Fruit Week 4: Patience."Call to ConfessionGod’s mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning. No matter the weight of sin we carry, no matter how easy it is for us to mess things up, no matter how often we fall, God is waiting, ready at all times to offer us forgiveness and grace. Let us turn to God now, ready to unburden our hearts, eager to receive his mercy. Prayer of ConfessionFaithful God,we confess to you our lack of faith.We do not trust your guidance;we do not like to wait;so we impatiently try to get ahead of your plans for us,carving out our own paths instead of trusting in you. In our hurry, we grow impatient with others,speaking harshly and unfairly to those we love. In our desire to get ahead, we grow envious of those who have much, and bitter about those who acquire wealth and status through evil means. Forgive our impatience, God.Forgive our lack of trust.Forgive us for not being content with our lot.Help us to place our lives in your hands,and trust that you are leading us to green pasturesand still waters. We pray this in the name of Jesus,the good shepherd.Amen. Assurance of Pardon Hear the good news:There is no God like our God,who does not hold a record of our wrongs,but who wipes the slate clean.Our God does not nurse his anger,but moves quickly to mercy,for mercy is at the heart of who God is.Receive the mercy of God,and be assured of the forgiveness of your sins,for God is faithful to his people,from generation to generation. —Micah 7:18–20, adapt.Song of Thanksgiving“Great is Thy Faithfulness” ChisholmCall to Holy Living: Psalm 37:1–9Passing of the Peace

The following originally appeared as part of "Grounded and Growing—Bearing Fruit Week 3: Peace."Call to ConfessionIn Psalm 85, the psalmist declares:You, Lord, showed favor to your land;you restored the fortunes of Jacob.You forgave the iniquity of your peopleand covered all their sins.You set aside all your wrathand turned from your fierce anger.—Psalm 85:1–3 NIVIt sounds almost like a reminder, as if the psalmist is saying, “Hey God, remember who you are! Remember that you are the God who forgives.” Remember this…because we need your forgiveness once more. So too do we need God’s forgiveness again and again. This morning, as we think about what it means to seek God’s shalom, we are particularly mindful of the ways our actions have harmed God’s creation. Let us go to our God in confession, using the next three verses of Psalm 85 to ground our prayers.Prayer of ConfessionRestore us again, God our Savior,and put away your displeasure toward us.—Psalm 85:4 NIVWe know that we have sinned against you and our neighbor.We have lived for ourselves, seeking our own profit and security. We fight for resources, willing to mistreat people made in your image to get what we want. We have misused the earth, treating creation like a product to be consumed,instead of a gift you have called us to treasure and steward. Forgive us for our actionsdriven by greed. Will you be angry with us forever?Will you prolong your anger through all generations?—Psalm 85:5 NIVThe earth bears the marks of our callousness. We fear the lasting damage we have done, even as we carry on in our thoughtless consumption.The effects of our greed are like waves, rippling out, growing ever larger until they wash over those who are alreadystruggling just to get by.Forgive us for our actions with unintended consequences. Will you not revive us again,that your people may rejoice in you?Show us your unfailing love, Lord,and grant us your salvation.—Psalm 85:6–7 NIVForgive us, God, for the harm we have done to one another and to the earth.Plant within us the desire to seek shalom,to work for the flourishing of othersin everything we do. Amen.Song of Confession“Lord Have Mercy” Zach et al.Assurance of Pardon & Response of DedicationThe psalmist continues:I will listen to what God the Lord says;    he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants—    but let them not turn to folly.Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,    that his glory may dwell in our land.Love and faithfulness meet together;    righteousness and peace kiss each other.Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,    and righteousness looks down from heaven.The Lord will indeed give what is good,    and our land will yield its harvest.Righteousness goes before him    and prepares the way for his steps.—Psalm 85:8–13 NIVPeople of God, receive God’s forgiveness and his peace,and turn towards him,that our lives might bear the fruit of God’s shalom.In gratitude for the grace that gives peace to our hearts,we will seek to be people of shalom,living with each other and the creationin the harmony of God’s kingdom.Passing of the PeaceHaving received peace from God, let us turn to one another and pass the peace of Christ to each other.Revised Common LectionaryYear C: Season after Pentecost—Proper 12 (17)Year B: Advent—Second Sunday of AdventYear A: Season after Pentecost—Proper 14 (19)Year B: Season after Pentecost—Proper 10 (15)