Cycle A Lectionary 24 Proper 19

9/14/2014 Confession(s)

Sunday Title:  Rally Day - Homecoming Sunday

Sermon Title: Welcome Pastor Jim Brandis

Previously:

Sunday Title:  Discipleship Sunday

Sermon Title: Forgiveness- what a great concept.

Sunday Title:  Catch Sunday

Sermon Title: “Here’s Your Sign”

Sunday Title:  God's Sunday  

Sermon Title: “What Does God Intend?”

Scripture Cuttings:

Genesis 50:15-21 But Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. So have no fear....

Psalm 103:1-13 He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him....

Romans 14:1-12 Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.

Matthew 18:21-35 Then Peter came and said to Jesus, "Lord, if my brother or sister sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?"

Confession:

All may make the sign of the cross in remembrance of baptism

as the presiding minister begins:

P:  In the Name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

P:  Let us approach the Lord with reverence and awe

and present repentant hearts. (listen for the sound of repentant heartbeats)

  God...

C: our sins are fully in your view

yet you do not punish as we deserve.

  We are foolish to think that you don't notice.

    We are blind to miss your steadfast love.

      We are ungratefully living without regard to forgiveness.

Still when we are wronged, we seek vengeance,

  even from you.

We are heartless with our double standards.

  We are ruthless with our retribution.

    We are ridiculous to think you don't care

Again forgive us Lord for the sins we name.

Save us Lord from the sins we hide. (pause for reflection and self-examination)

P:  The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord does not deal with us according to our sins, or repay us in proportion to our iniquities. God's loving ways are so great and good that they astound us. Love sends our Savior. For the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord our sins are forgiven. By the power of the Holy Spirit we may come to understand and live in that mercy. To the glory of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen. -wjw

P:  The peace of the Lord be with you always!

C: And also with you!

-or-

P:  In the Name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

P:  What if God paid us back in full for all the wrong we have done? (pause)

  O Lord we seek your mercy...

C: yet we ourselves look for payback when we are wronged.

We think it “only fair” and “what is right” when we retaliate

  and use harsh words

    and withdraw from relationship.

The forgiveness you offer on our account

  is larger than we can comprehend,

    still we withhold forgiveness

      and carry the grudge over petty items.

We are eager to do your judging.

And the worst: we conspire our inner thoughts

  to secure your forgiveness

    while avoiding honest repentance.

Forgive us Lord for the sins we know in our hearts.

Save us Lord from the sins we hide. (pause for reflection and self-examination)

P:  The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, slow to anger and does not deal with us according to our sins. Instead God chooses the sacrifice of God’s own son on our account. Because Jesus Christ pays the last full measure: our sins are forgiven. This gift of forgiveness, makes us able, with the power of Holy Spirit to choose to forgive, renew and live again in right relationship with each other, and with our God. To the glory of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen. -wjw

P:  The peace of the Lord be with you always!

C: And also with you!