These readings follow a natural and meaningful pattern of worship. As the gathered People of God, we first confess our sins and sinfulness, then hear a gospel word of forgiveness, and finally respond in an appropriate declaration of praise for God’s mercy. These readings are best used after the opening hymn or immediately before Communion (or a Communion hymn).
Also available in pdf format: Confession – Forgiveness – Praise
ONE
Unison: O Lord, the great and awesome God,
we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly,
turning aside from your commandments.
We do not present our supplications
because we are righteous
but because you are great in mercy.
Forgive us, Lord, for your own sake,
for we are called by your Name.
Leader: Little children, your sins are forgiven for his sake.
Unison: Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up.
Our God is a God of salvation.
To God the Lord belongs escape from death.
TWO
Unison: Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord,
and of your steadfast love.
Remember not our sins or our transgressions;
remember us for your goodness’ sake, O Lord.
For your Name’s sake, O Lord, pardon our guilt,
for it is great.
Leader: Thus says the Lord, our Redeemer,
the Holy One of Israel:
I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake,
and I will not remember your sins.
Unison: Blessed be the Lord from everlasting to everlasting.
Let all his people say, Amen!
Praise the Lord!.
THREE
Unison: The word of God is living and active,
discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Before God no creature can hide;
all are open and laid bare before his holy eyes.
Leader: We have a high priest who has passed through the heavens,
Jesus the Son of God.
He was tempted in every respect as we are,
yet he committed no sin.
Unison: Let us with confidence draw near the throne of grace,
that we may receive mercy,
and find grace to help in time of need.
FOUR
Unison: We have all become like one who is unclean;
all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.
Do not be exceedingly angry, O God,
do not remember our iniquity forever.
Leader: God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself.
For our sake God made him to be sin,
so that in him we might become
the righteousness of God.
Unison: Let us rejoice greatly in the Lord;
for he has clothed us with garments of salvation,
he has covered us with the robe of righteousness.
FIVE
Unison: Why should living mortals complain
about the punishment of their sins?
Let us lift up our hearts to God in heaven,
for we have transgressed and rebelled.
Leader: God says, “I formed you;
you will not be forgotten by me.
I have swept away your transgressions like a cloud.
Return to me, for I have redeemed you.”
Unison: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning!
Great is your faithfulness, O God;
therefore we will hope in you.
SIX
Unison: Great and mighty and awesome God,
You have dealt faithfully
and we have acted wickedly.
Leader: God shows his love for us like this:
while we were yet sinners
Christ died for us.
Since we are justified by his blood,
we will also be saved by him from God’s wrath.
Unison: Who is a God like you, O God,
pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression?
You have cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.
SEVEN
Unison: O God, you know our folly;
our wrongs are not hidden from you.
Answer us, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good.
Deal with us according to your great mercy.
Leader: Let us hear what the Lord will speak,
for he will speak peace to his people
who turn to him in their hearts.
Unison: How abundant is your goodness, O Lord,
which you have laid up for those who fear you.
Blessed be the Lord, for he has wondrously
shown us his steadfast love.
EIGHT
Unison: O Lord, rebuke us not in your anger,
nor chasten us in your wrath.
Our sins have gone over our heads;
they weigh like a burden we cannot bear.
We confess our iniquity, O God,
We are sorry for our sins.
Leader: Thus says the Lord who created you:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are mine.
I declared and saved and proclaimed.
I am God. I work, and who can hinder it?”
Unison: The Lord lives;
he is blessed and exalted.
Extol the Lord among the nations,
and sing praises to his Name.
NINE
Unison: We are ashamed, O God, and blush to lift our faces to you;
O Lord, we are before you in our guilt;
None can stand before you without blame.
Leader: In Christ we have redemption through his blood,
the forgiveness of our trespasses,
according to the riches of his grace.
Unison: We have no good apart from you, O God.
Show us the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy.
In your right hand are pleasures for ever more.
TEN
Unison: Out of the depths we cry to you, O Lord.
If you should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with you,
that you may be feared.
Leader: God sent the word, preaching good news by Jesus Christ.
All the prophets bear witness to him,
that every one who believes in him
receives forgiveness of sins.
Unison: The Lord is gracious and righteous;
the Lord preserves the simple.
The Lord is our strength and song;
he has become our salvation.
ELEVEN
Unison: Preserve us, O God, for in you we take refuge.
You are our Lord, we have no good apart from you.
Leader: Behold the storm of the Lord!
Wrath has gone forth, a whirling tempest.
In the latter days you will understand this.
Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away
the sin of the world!
Unison: Lord, you forgave the iniquity of your people;
you pardoned all our sins.
We will bless you as long as we live;
your mercy endures forever.
TWELVE
Unison: For God alone, our souls wait in silence;
from him comes our salvation.
God is our rock and fortress;
our hope is in him.
Leader: Jesus himself bore our sins in his body on the tree,
that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.
By his stripes we have been healed.
Unison: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his steadfast love endures forever.
The Lord is our strength and song;
he has become our salvation.