This liturgy of confession and assurance originally appeared in "Growing in Grace—Week 2: The Joy of Spiritual Maturing and Commissioning Service."
Confession of Sin and Assurance of Pardon
Prayer of Confession
based on John 14, 15
We are conscious of our shortcomings and failures.
Let us confess to God now, that we may be comforted by God’s love and forgiveness.
Lord, you said, “If you love me, you will obey what I command.”
Forgive us our lukewarm love and our disobedience.
Lord, you said, “You may ask for anything in my name.”
Forgive us when we think we need to solve all our own problems.
Lord, you said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
We confess that our lives are often consumed by worry and anxiety.
Lord, you said, “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.”
Forgive us our barren lives, Lord.
Lord, you said, “You must testify, for you have been with me.”
We confess Lord, that we have been too often silent.
Lord, you said, “Love each other as I have loved you.”
In this and in so many other ways, we confess our failures and shortcomings.
Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Thanks be to God, Christ came to release us from our burden of guilt. Jesus’ words reassure us: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
—John 3:16
Song of Thanksgiving
“Not What My Hands Have Done” Bonar or
“Shout to the Lord” Zschech
Words of the Covenant
As God’s forgiven people, led by his Spirit, let us recommit our lives to walk with him each day, growing more and more into his likeness so that the world will see us and praise his name.
This is the word of God for our lives [read Eph. 4:25–5:2]
Song of Commitment
“Lord I Want to Be a Christian” African-American Spiritual
or “Fill Thou My Life, O Lord My God” Bonar
or “Take, O Take Me As I Am” Bell
Revised Common Lectionary
Years A, B: Easter—Fifth Sunday of Easter
Years A, B, C: Easter—Sixth Sunday of Easter
Years B, C: Easter—Day of Pentecost
