Sunday, October 4, 2020

CALL TO WORSHIP
Psalm 9

MUSIC
Curated by Justina Gendy
Bethel Music - We Praise You
Bethel Music - Goodness of God
Bryan & Katie Torwalt - Holy Spirit
Jesus Culture - Revelation Song

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Written By Yelena Pakhomova

As part of our liturgy today, we engage in the practice of confession.

And confession is powerful
Because it insists that our relationship with God can handle the truth of our lives
It drains shame of its power over us and sets us free
And it affirms that God's love is spacious

Our prayer of confession today will have three parts as we pray for ourselves, our relationships, and the world.
And we will conclude each part with the Jesus Prayer.
It goes like this - "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
And you are welcome to say it out loud with me, as a response. 

Let us pray: 
God of infinite grace, 
Before we name those things that make our hearts heavy, 
We take a breath, 
And we notice how you have already met us today, 
Where your love holds us even now.

And we confess that we struggle with all that agency you've given us,
Being good stewards of our lives is a tall order.
We let out fears speak louder than your love, 
We settle for less than what could be, 
We make choices that take us away from what is good and true and beautiful. 
So we come to you in need of healing of our bodies and hearts and imaginations.
And we pray,
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

We confess that we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves,
We have sinned against those you've placed in our lives 
in our thoughts, and words and actions, 
By inflicting hurt and by withholding grace. 
So we come to you in need of healing of our relationships.
And we pray,
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

And, God, we confess, 
That we have not cared for the world you have entrusted to us. 
We tend to forget that we inhabit this place and not own it,
And that your vision of flourishing includes the whole of creation and not just us. 
So we come to you in need of healing of our world. 
And we pray,
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Assurance of Forgiveness: 
And now, receive this affirmation,
Do not be afraid, 
God is working in you, in your relationships, and in the world 
beyond our wildest imagining. 
You are forgiven and set free to join that holy work. 
Amen