Confession: Proper 23C

Here’s a corporate act of confession inspired by the suggested scripture readings for Proper 23, Year C.  It was written by Thom Shuman.

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,

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 observed

Assurance of Pardon

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.
God forgives us,

God guides us through the wilderness of the world,

God leads us home. 

Thanks be to God.  Amen.

~ written by Thom Shuman, and posted on Lectionary Liturgies. http://lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.ca/