This weekend at Soma we are having a worship night and incorporating a corporate confession of sin an a public assurance of forgiveness. Here is what we are saying:
[Confession of Sin]
Loving Father, we acknowledge and confess that our lives fall far short of your glory.
Have mercy and forgive us.
Lord, you have given your life for us, and poured out your Spirit,
yet we fail to return your love with all our heart.
Have mercy and change us.
Too often we are selfish and proud,
ignoring your voice and neglecting others.
Have mercy and cleanse us.
Lord, when we do not truly trust and obey you,
we are overwhelmed by self-pity, fear and worry.
Have mercy and deliver us.
In Christ we are given a sure hope, a secure love, and a new identity
yet we follow the false hopes and desires of this world.
Have mercy and forgive us.
[Assurance of Forgiveness]
There is good news! The Lord is compassionate and gracious, abounding in love and forgiving our sins. He has taken away our sins as far as the east is from the west! What has washed away our sins?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
What can make us whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
Be assured, The Lord has forgiven our sins and made us clean. He has taken away our shame!
Thanks be to God!
CWoznicki Think Out Loud 