Calls To Worship
Repentance
Adapted from 2 Chronicles 7:14-15 (ESV)
God says, “If my people,
Who are called by my name, humble themselves, and pray
And seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,”
“I will hear from heaven and I will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Now my eyes will be open and my ears will be attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.”
Loving God, we claim your promises to us today. Heal our land. Heal us. Help us to seek your face in worship today.
Austin D. Hill (ESV, adapted for liturgical use)
Adapted from Joel 12:12-14 (NIV)
Leader: Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.
People: Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord Your God,
Leader: for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.
People: Come, Let us Worship the Lord.
Stuart Strachan Jr.
Adapted from Psalm 51
Leader: Have mercy on us, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
People: Wash away all our transgressions, and our sin is always before us.
Leader: Against you, you only, have we sinned and done what is evil in your sight;
People: Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean, wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Leader: Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
People: Create in us a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within us.
Leader: Do not cast us from your presence, or take your Holy Spirit from me.
People: Restore unto us the joy of your salvation and grant us a willing spirit, to sustain us.
Stuart Strachan Jr.
Adapted from Psalm 90:1-4
Leader: Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.
All: Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
Leader: You return man to dust and say, “Return, O children of man!”
All: For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night.
Submitted by Dustin Ray
Almighty and merciful God, the fountain of all goodness, who knows the thoughts of our hearts:
We confess that we have sinned against you.
Wash us, we implore you, from the stains of our past sins.
Give us grace and power to put away all offenses,
Being delivered from the bondage of sin, may we bring forth fruits worthy of repentance, and at last enter into your promised joy;
Through the mercy of your blessed One, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Alcuin, adapted.
Leader: As we enter into this season of Lent, we remember the words of your servant Paul, who said, the wages of sin our death. (Rom.6:23)
People: Lord have mercy.
Leader: Even though we have been bought with the blood of Christ, we often turn away from you and towards our own wicked desires.
People: Lord have mercy.
Leader: As we prepare to receive ashes this day, remind us that we only have one life to live. Remind us of our baptism, where we turned from death to life.
People: Keep us in your faithful arms until you return to judge the living and the dead.
Leader: Come, Let us worship the Lord.
Stuart Strachan Jr.
Adapted from Mark 1:2-4, 7-8
Leader: As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way;
People: the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’”
Leader: John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
People: He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals.
Leader: I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Stuart Strachan Jr. (NRSV, adapted for liturgical use)
Adapted from Isaiah 1:18, Joel 2:14, Psalm 103, 1 John 1:9, Psalm 51:17, & James 4:10
Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be like wool.
Rend your heart, and not your garments, Return to the LORD your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will lift you up. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.