February 26th, 2025

Call to Confession

When one will not listen to the law,
    even one’s prayers are an abomination.  (Proverbs 28:9)
Let us confess our lack of listening and seek God's mercy:

Prayer of Confession

Forgive us, God.
We are trembling.
But your people are not trembling because of you.
Your people are trembling because we believe
that we have usurped your power, 
and we prove that by the power we have given away,
concentrating it in a handful of people
who are using it to wield a chainsaw.
Your people believe that we should be exalted 
above you,
and we prove that by the pride we take 
in tearing down justice,
in dismantling equity,
in defying righteousness.
Like Moses and Aaron and Samuel, we cry out to you!
We call on your holy name!
Forgive us, we pray!
Speak to us, O God!
Empower today's prophets to speak your decrees.
Equip your teachers to guide your children
to the statutes they claim to live by
as followers of  Christ.
Open our ears to listen, O God!
Open our hearts to be transformed.
Make us into the people you have called us to be
before we are consumed 
​by our own destructive behaviors.

Assurance of God's Grace

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1) Hear the Good News: In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to God!

Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us also forgive one another.
The peace of Christ be with you.
Please extend the peace of Christ to all whom you encounter this week.