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Hymn GTG #772, “Live into Hope”
Hymn GTG #345, “In an Age of Twisted Values”
Call to Worship (based on Luke 4:18-19)
Leader: The Spirit of the Lord has called upon all of us,
People: To preach good news to the poor, release to the prisoners, and recovery of sight to the blind.
Leader: We proclaim that Christ has come to redeem all people!
People: The year of the Lord’s favor is upon us!
Leader: Thanks be to God!
People: Let us worship the Lord!
Call to Confession (based on Luke 4:18-19)
Leader: Christ does indeed preach a gospel of hope, but in order to receive it, we must be willing to admit the parts of ourselves that stand in its way. Let us confess our sin.
Prayer of Confession (based on Luke 4:14-30)
You are invited to speak a word or short phrase that describes a personal or collective sin of which you repent and seek forgiveness. When the gathered community is finished sharing, we pray together:
People: Compassionate God, we confess that we claim your mercy all for ourselves. We hear your Good News and believe that it has been set aside for us alone. We are willing to share your grace with outsiders only once we’ve had our fill. “Us first!” we cry. Yet that is not who you are. Your favor is not for “the chosen few,” but for those most in need of it. The privilege that we enjoy in other parts of our lives does not extend to your mercy and justice. We are ashamed of our selfishness. Forgive us, O Lord, and in your expansive mercy, hear our prayers…
(Silent prayers of personal confession)
Declaration of Forgiveness (based on Luke 4:21)
Leader: Today, Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing: In Jesus Christ, we are all forgiven!
People: Thanks be to God!
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