This confession and assurance litany originally appeared in "A Classic TULIP Bouquet—Week 1: Total Depravity."
Confession and Reconciliation
With "Ah, Holy Jesus" Heermann, trans. Bridges
| All sing: | Ah, holy Jesus, how have you offended, that mortal judgment has on you descended? By foes derided, by your own rejected, O most afflicted! |
| Leader: | Did God create people so wicked and perverse? |
| All Speak: | No. God created them good and in his own image, that is, in true righteousness and holiness, so that they might truly know God their creator, love him with all their heart, and live with him in eternal happiness to praise and glorify him. —Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 6, Translation © 2011, Faith Alive Christian Resources. Used by permission |
| All sing: | Who was the guilty? Who brought this upon you? It is my treason, Lord, that has undone you. Twas I, Lord Jesus, I it was denied you; I crucified you. |
| Leader: | Then where does this corrupt human nature come from? |
| All Speak: | From the fall and disobedience of our first parents, Adam and Eve, in Paradise. This fall has so poisoned our nature that we are all conceived and born in a sinful condition. —Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 7, Translation © 2011, Faith Alive Christian Resources. Used by permission. |
| All sing: | For me, dear Jesus, was your incarnation, your mortal sorrow, and your life’s oblation; your death of anguish and your bitter passion, for my salvation. |
| Leader: | But are we so corrupt that we are totally unable to do any good and inclined toward all evil? |
| All Speak: | Yes, unless we are born again, by the Spirit of God. —Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 8, Translation © 2011, Faith Alive Christian Resources. Used by permission. |
| All sing: | Therefore, dear Jesus, since I cannot pay you, I do adore you and will ever pray you, think on your pity and your love unswerving, not my deserving. —From the hymn “Ah, Holy Jesus”Heerman |
