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Leader: Rejoice in the one who hears our cries!
People: Who offers forgiveness for our wrongdoing and answers our prayers!
Leader: Rejoice in the one who offers wisdom and truth!
People: Let us celebrate God’s mercy and compassion, from generation to generation.
Leader: The Lord be with you!
People: [Respond with indicated gesture:] And also with you!
Leader: Let us worship the Lord.
Call to Confession
Leader: When David saw Bathsheba bathing on the roof, he gave into own selfish desires. Ignoring Bathsheba’s will, Uriah’s rights, and his own responsibility as king, he chose that which was evil in God’s eyes. Worse, he was unable to see his own wrongdoing until Nathan’s prophetic condemnation: “You are that man!” Let us now open our eyes to our own wrongdoing and confess our sin to God, knowing that divine justice requires repentance, but promises reconciliation.
Unison Prayer of Confession (Psalm 51, adapted)
People: Have mercy on us, God, according to your faithful love! Wipe away our wrongdoings according to your great compassion! Wash us completely of our guilt; purify us from our sin! Because we know our wrongdoings, our sin is always right in front of us. We’ve sinned against you – you alone. We’ve committed evil in your sight. That’s why you are justified when you render your verdict, completely correct when you issue your judgment. Yes, you want truth in the most hidden places; you teach us wisdom in the most secret space. Purify us with hyssop and we will be clean; wash us and we will be whiter than snow. Let us hear joy and celebration again; let the bones you crushed rejoice once more. Hide your face from our sins; wipe away all of our guilty deeds! In your mercy, hear our prayer…
Declaration of Forgiveness
Leader: Friends, our sin is indeed always before us, but so is God’s abundant grace. Hear the good news: In Jesus Christ, we are all forgiven! Thanks be to God.
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