M: Brothers and sisters, the appointed time has grown short. C: For the present form of this world is passing away. (1 Cor 7:29a, 31b NRSV)
PREPARATION
M: In the name of the Father and of the Son † and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen.
Opening Hymn
We sing our opening hymn: O Father my Father LH 850 CAL293 Robin Mann 1949- (1973)
O Father my Father
1. O Father, my Father, I call on your name; my heart it is heavy with sorrow and shame. For I’ve been a coward, my courage has flown, and love lies within me as cold as a stone.
O Father my Father
2. No word can excuse me, no word that I say; no place that I run to can hide me away. For nothing is hidden; yes, all is revealed - you see how I’m sick, Lord; I want to be healed.
O Father my Father
3. O Father, my Father, I call on your name; your promise is with me to carry my blame. You came as a servant, your road it was clear; no coward was Jesus, for love knows no fear.
O Father my Father
4. O how I do wish that my last day was here, that I might be with you where all is made clear; where sorrow is over, the world is set free, and that which we hope for we finally see. †
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
M: Friends in Christ: let us confess our sins to God our Father and ask him in the name of our Lord Jesus to forgive us.
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
C: We confess that we are born in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have failed to do.
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
C: We have not loved you with our whole heart, and we have not loved our neighbour as ourselves. We deserve your eternal punishment. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us. Amen.
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
M: I ask each of you in the presence of God who searches the heart: Do you confess that you have sinned, and do you repent of your sins? C: I do.
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
M: Do you believe that Jesus Christ has redeemed you from all your sins, and do you desire forgiveness in his name? C: I do.
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
M: Do you intend with the help of the Holy Spirit to live as in God’s presence, and to strive daily to lead a holy life, even as Christ has made you holy? C: I do.
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