For Sunday

Reading of the Law of God

You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5.43-48

Confession of Sin

Our Father, once again Your Law points out our sin. We find it easy to love those who love us back. But Your Law requires more. It requires us to love those who do not love us back but rather want to harm us. We find that so hard to do. But that is no excuse. Our failure to do this is sin. And so, we ask again for the forgiveness that Jesus provided for us by His life and death. We also ask that Your Spirit might do His powerful work in our lives so that we might love as You love. 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

May almighty God, who sent his Son into the world to save sinners, bring you his pardon and peace, now and for ever.

The Book of Common Prayer