Reading of the Law
of God
You are the light of
the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp
and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the
house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may
see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew
5.14-16
Confession of Sin
Our Father, forgive
us. We find it so easy to hide the light of the Gospel that You have entrusted
to us. We give in to our fears before the world and to the pressure to conform
and not make waves. We recognize this as an offense against You, the God who
has loved us so. We ask that You might cover this sin by the blood of Jesus and
that, by Your Holy Spirit, You might make us bold to shine with the Gospel
before a needy world. Amen
Declaration of
Pardon
For while we were
still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will
scarcely die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person one would
dare even to die-- but God shows his love for us in that while we were still
sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5.6-8
The almighty and
merciful Lord grant you pardon and forgiveness of all your sins, time for
amendment of life, and the grace and strength of the Holy Spirit.
The Book of Common
Prayer