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 Ephesians 4:

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Prayer of Confession: 

Merciful Father, as these verses proclaim, you have called us to be a people of humility, gentleness, and patience.  But how often Lord, do we seek to be right instead of bearing with one another in love?  Forgive us, Lord.  

Help us to be peacemakers, building one another up in Christ.  Holy Spirit, guide us to listen and understand with all humility and gentleness.  Give us wisdom and patience in how we address others with our speech and actions.  May your peace and love be the foundation of every connection.  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 Ephesians 4 and rest in their truth for us:

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.  Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.