For Sunday

Reading of the Law of God

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5.4

Confession of Sin

Our Father, we admit that we do not mourn over sin like You do. When we see sin do its destructive work in others’ lives, we do not mourn like You do. When we see sin at work in our own lives, we do not mourn like You do. We pass over sin and its effects far too casually, something You don’t do. We need to be forgiven, and we need to be changed. We appeal to You in the name of Jesus that we might mourn over sin like You do and thus find ourselves comforted by You. Amen.

Declaration of Pardon

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. ​He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. Psalm 103.8-12

God, the Father of mercies, has reconciled the world to himself through the death and resurrection of his Son, Jesus Christ, not counting our trespasses against us, but sending his Holy Spirit to shed abroad his love among us. By the ministry of reconciliation entrusted by Christ to his Church, receive his pardon and peace to stand before him in his strength alone, this day and evermore. 

The Book of Common Prayer