Reading of the Law of God
You shall not take the name of
the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes
his name in vain. Exodus 20.7
Confession of Sin
Our Father, we come to You as
those called to bear Your holy name before the watching world. We confess that
all too often we have not pursued this calling at all well. Instead of living
like faithful disciples of Jesus, which would make You look good, we have lived
like our faithless neighbors. We confess this sin without excuse. Our only hope
is that You will forgive us because of Jesus. Amen.
Declaration of Pardon
If we say we have no sin, we
deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is
faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness. 1 John 1.8-9