Reading of the Law of God
Honor your father
and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God
is giving you. Exodus 20.12
Confession of Sin
Our Father, we have
not kept this commandment. All too often we have not properly honored those
whom You have placed over us. All too often we have not submitted ourselves to
their instruction. All too often we have not received their correction graciously
nor borne with their weaknesses patiently. We acknowledge that by sinning
against them we have actually rebelled against You. We know from the Gospel
that these sins have earned us Your justice. But we also know from the Gospel
that we who have entrusted ourselves to Jesus have received the grace of Your
forgiveness. Thank You that Jesus has paid for these sins, too. Amen.
Declaration of Pardon
Come now, let us
reason together, says the LORD. though your sins are like scarlet, they shall
be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like
wool. Isaiah 1.18
May the God of love
bring us back to himself, forgive us our sins, and assure us of his eternal
love in Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Book of
Common Prayer