This article is part of a series that contains the following article and resources:
Genuine Sorrow...Wholehearted Joy—Confession: The Why, When, and How of Confession
Lent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5 | Palm/Passion Sunday|
This service of confession is part of a series for the season of Lent based on the texts of the Revised Common Lectionary, Year C, but can be used for non-lectionary services as well. Each prayer begins and concludes with a stanza from "God, Be Merciful to Me" a setting of Psalm 51. For thoughtful fodder on the place of confession in worship see the article by the same author, "Genuine Sorrow...Wholehearted Joy: The Why, When, and How of Confession
PALM / PASSION SUNDAY
Scripture
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16 or Psalm 118:l-2,19-29
Philippians 2:5-11
Luke 19:28-40 or Luke 22:14-23:56 or Luke 23:1-49
Psalm 118:1-2,19-29
Call to Confession (see 1 Peter 2:4-7)
The very stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Come now to Christ, that living stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious. Whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.
Trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ, let us confess our sins before God and one another.
Prayer of Confession
God, be merciful to me; on thy grace I rest my plea.
Plenteous in compassion thou, blot out my transgressions now;
my transgressions I confess; grief and guilt my soul oppress;
I have sinned against thy grace, and provoked thee to thy face.
O Lord, who on this day entered the rebellious city
which later rejected you:
we confess that our wills are as rebellious as Jerusalem's,
that our faith is often more show than substance,
that our hearts are in need of cleansing.
Have mercy on us, Son of David, Savior of our lives.
Help us to lay at your feet
all that we have and all that we are, trusting you
to forgive what is sinful,
to heal what is broken,
to welcome our praises,
and to receive us as your own.
Gracious God, my heart renew, make my spirit right and true;
from my sins O hide thy face, blot them out in boundless grace.
Cast me not away rom thee; let thy Spirit dwell in me;
thy salvations joy impart; steadfast make my willing heart.
Assurance of Pardon (see 1 Peter 2:9-10)
Once you were not a people,
but now you are God's people;
once you had not received mercy,
but now you have received mercy.
You are God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Receive the good news of the gospel:
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
