This confession and assurance originally appeared in "Be Not Afraid—Epiphany 1: Fear of Strangers."
“See, Darkness Covers the Earth, and Thick Darkness Is Over the Peoples”
Call to Confession
God calls us to live in the light and to walk as people of the light. But on this Epiphany Sunday, we come before the Lord in prayer to confess that we still walk in darkness. We make personal decisions that drive us into the darkness. Our world is one filled with darkness, brokenness, and despair. We are deeply in need of Jesus Christ, the light of the world, to enter in and shine on us. Together we confess in song our need for light.
Sung Prayer of Confession
“Christ, Be Our Light” (st. 1, 3, 5) Farrell
Assurance of Pardon
The light of God shines in the darkness. God is calling the whole world together in unity to walk in the light as beloved and chosen people. Open your hearts to God’s light and to one another. Thanks be to God.