Reading of the Law
of God
Do not love the
world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the
Father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the desires of the flesh
and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions – is not from the Father
but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires,
but whoever does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2.15-17
Confession of Sin
Our Father, we feel
the pull of the world. We find ourselves fooled by its allure. We think that
the world and what it offers will last. Forgive us our folly in this. It is a
great sin against You. Make clear to our hearts that loving the world is turning
away from You. Teach us that loving You and Your ways is the path to life, to
the fullness of joy and to pleasures forevermore. Please grant us our request
for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Declaration of
Pardon
And
the son said to him, ‘Father,
I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called
your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on
him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened
calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and
is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. Luke 15:18-24
May the God of all
healing and forgiveness draw us to himself, and cleanse us from all our sins
that we may behold the glory of his Son, the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ our
Lord.