Call to Confession: 

Each Sunday, we take a moment to confess and repent alongside one another. It’s a way we regularly take seriously our sin and lay it before God. Let’s prepare our hearts by hearing these words from Romans 1:

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—  that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine.

Prayer of Confession: 

Heavenly Father, thank you for this reminder from Paul about how he approaches and loves people. Lord, it is too often that we have spirits of judgment instead of thankfulness. We often seek to be seen, instead of seeking to see others well. We can fall into habits of praying only when convenient, and often for our own needs only, instead of intentionally lifting up others. Father, forgive us.

Lord Jesus, help us to be a people of love. Remind us of the grace and love we have received, and that in receiving it so freely, we can also share it freely with those around us. Holy Spirit, draw us closer to who we have been created to be that we might share jointly in hope, and peace, and rejoicing. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Assurance of Pardon: 

In the scriptures we find assurances of our forgiveness and encouragement in our walk.  So hear these words from later in Romans 5 and rest in their truth for us:

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.