This assurance of pardon originally appeared in "Come Let Us Worship and Bow Down—Week One: Praying in God's House."
Assurance of Pardon
The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He will not always accuse,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
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;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far he removes our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion for his children,
so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him.
For he knows how we were made;
he remembers that we are dust.
—Psalm 103:8-14 NRSVUE
Note: As alternatives, sing the Taizé setting of Psalm 103, “Bless the Lord, My Soul,” which includes a part for the cantor singing these words of forgiveness (Songs and Prayers from Taizé, Vol. 2). Or have the congregation sing only the refrain before and after the spoken assurance.
Revised Common Lectionary
Year A: Season after Pentecost—Proper 19 (24)
Year B: Epiphany—Eighth Sunday after the Epiphany
Year B: Season after Pentecost—Proper 3 (8)
