Officiant
God who understands our mistakes, we know that you are eternal, always-present, and boundless
in your love. But we do not always remember these things about you in the commotion of our
day-to-day lives. Sometimes we become so caught up in things we need to do and places we need to go
that we fail to be our best selves.
So forgive us, Lord,
for the times we have failed to notice you around us this week
for when we have been unkind or ungracious
for when we have been too quick to judge
for when we have spoken without concern for our neighbors
for when we have ignored someone near us
for when we have rushed so quickly that we forget to pay attention
for when we have idolized something unimportant
for when we might have spoken too much
for when we did not speak up when it was needed
and for all other times where we have failed to see you in our neighbors this week.
Forgiving and compassionate God, we bring you these prayers and come before you in
in silence, confessing, as needed, other times in which we've passed you this week
without saying hello. Let us pray in silence.
Silence is held
Officiant
The psalmist tells us that “the LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love...
God will not always accuse,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
God does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him.”
Sisters and brothers, hear now this assurance: As far as the East is from the West, God has removed
our transgressions from us. Let us go forward into this new week, ready to take up this work again,
refreshed and renewed, knowing that, although we cannot do everything right, we are always bound to get something right. For after all, we are made in your image. Amen.