Reading of the Law of God
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual
immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when
you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice,
slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing
that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new
self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Colossians
3.5-10
Confession of Sin
Our Father, we are slow to put our sins to death. We are
content that we are not prone to certain sins even as we allow other kinds of
sins to exist in our hearts. We do not take seriously enough Your hatred of all
sin and the certainty of Your coming wrath because of sin. Forgive us for our
unholy attitudes. Change us so that we will hate sin like You do. Make us more
like 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
May the God of love and power forgive you and free you from
your sins, heal and strengthen you by his Spirit, and raise you to new life in
Christ our Lord.
The Book of Common Prayer