Reading of the Law of God
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5.3
Confession of Sin
Our Father, we confess to You that
we are not poor in spirit. Sadly, we are too like those around us. We think so
well of ourselves. We are proud. We do not recognize how poor and weak and
needy we really are. We do not believe this part of the Gospel very well. We
acknowledge our sin. We ask that You would forgive us. We ask that You would
change us. We ask this only because of Jesus, our Savior. Amen.
Declaration of Pardon
Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our
sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he
was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him
was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. Isaiah
53.4-5
This is part of our liturgy for this Sunday.