confession of sin on God's Help

Keywords

Scripture

Psalm 124:8, Psalm 130:3-4, Luke 18:13, John 20:19-23

Pastor: Our help is in the name of the Lord, People: who made heaven and earth. Pastor: If You, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? People: But with You th...

blog

Preaching Lent 2026: Balancing Repentance and Grace

Author

The Pastor's Workshop

Keywords

Scripture

Psalm 51:, Psalm 121:, Romans 5:

Do you detect a little discomfort in your congregation when it comes to Lent? Maybe you feel it, too? We dedicate a whole season to repentance, confession, and spiritual disciplines like fasting, lead...

liturgy

Receive Mercy, Find Grace

Author

Keywords

Scripture

Hebrews 4:12-16, Luke 1:79, Jeremiah 23:29, Deuteronomy 30:11-14, Psalm 51:10

Reader: For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the h...

lectionary

20th Sunday after Pentecost

Author

Charles Teixeira

Keywords

Scripture

Hebrews 4:12-16, Hebrews 3:1-4, Hebrews 4:15, Hebrews 4:12-13, Psalm 22:1-5, Job 23:1-9, Mark 10:17-31, Hebrews 4:12-16, Hebrews 3:1-4, Hebrews 4:12, Mark 10:21, Mark 10:22, Hebrews 4:15-16, Job 23:16-17, Mark 10:17-18

Preaching Commentary Unbelief in the Wilderness The author of Hebrews concludes chapter 3 with the history of Israel’s unbelief in the wilderness which kept the unfaithful among them from entering ...

scripture guide

Scripture Guide Hebrews 4:12-16

Author

Charles Teixeira

Keywords

Scripture

Hebrews 4:12-16, Hebrews 3:1-4, Mark 10:17-31, Mark 10:21-22, Job 23:16-17

Unbelief in the Wilderness The author of Hebrews concludes chapter 3 with the history of Israel’s unbelief in the wilderness which kept the unfaithful among them from entering into the rest of His pr...

lectionary

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

Author

Keywords

Scripture

Amos 7:7-17, James 1:27, Amos 7:null

Preaching Commentary Confrontation Most pastors don’t care for confrontation. Maybe, that could be said for most people. There are the rare few of us who thrive on the tension and drama that comes ...

liturgy

Seeking Mercy, Finding Forgiveness

Author

Keywords

Scripture

Luke 24:1-12, Matthew 28:1-28, Psalm 124:8, Psalm 130:3-4, Titus 3:5-6

Pastor: Our help is in the name of the Lord, People: who made heaven and earth. Pastor: If You, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? People: But with Yo...

lectionary

21st Sunday after Pentecost

Author

Dustin Ray

Keywords

Scripture

Psalm 32:1-7, Psalm 1:1, Psalm 32:1, Genesis 3:8-13, Psalm 32:5, Romans 8:1

Preaching Commentary Penitential Psalms When discussing the forgiveness of sins offered in Christ, John Calvin refers to Psalm 32:1 and says, “It is certain that David is not speaking concerning th...

lectionary

18th Sunday after Pentecost

Author

Keywords

Scripture

James 5:1-13, 2 Thessalonians 5:16-18, James 3:17-18, John 9:2-3

Preaching Commentary Summary of the Text What is the role of prayer on life’s journey? For James, its role is central. A letter that has been historically bashed for an emphasis on “works” over “fa...

scripture guide

Scripture Guide, Romans 6:1-11

Author

C. Hassell Bullock

Keywords

Scripture

Romans 6:1-11, Ezekiel 18:31, Ezekiel 11:19, Ezekiel 36:26

Context The Roman World Sin was a very real thing in Paul’s world. The city of Rome, the home of this church to which Paul was writing, had circuses, amphitheaters, theaters, baths, and more. And to...

lectionary

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Author

C. Hassell Bullock

Keywords

Scripture

Romans 11:1b-11, Ezekiel 18:31, Ezekiel 11:19, Ezekiel 36:26

Context The Roman World Sin was a very real thing in Paul’s world. The city of Rome, the home of this church to which Paul was writing, had circuses, amphitheaters, theaters, baths, and more. And to...

scripture guide

Scripture Guide James 5:13-20

Author

Keywords

Scripture

James 5:13-20, 2 Thessalonians 5:16-18, James 3:17-18, John 9:2-3

Summary of the Text What is the role of prayer on life’s journey? For James, its role is central. A letter that has been historically bashed for an emphasis on “works” over “faith” is immensely pract...

scripture guide

Scripture Guides, Amos 7:7-17

Author

Keywords

Scripture

Amos 7:7-17, James 1:27, Amos 7:null

Confrontation Most pastors don’t care for confrontation. Maybe, that could be said for most people. There are the rare few of us who thrive on the tension and drama that comes with a direct standoff,...

scripture guide

Scripture Guide, Psalm 32:1-7

Author

Dustin Ray

Keywords

Scripture

Psalm 32:1-7, Psalm 1:1, Psalm 32:1, Genesis 3:8-13, Psalm 32:5, Romans 8:1

Penitential Psalms When discussing the forgiveness of sins offered in Christ, John Calvin refers to Psalm 32:1 and says, “It is certain that David is not speaking concerning the ungodly but of believ...

scripture guide

Scripture Guide, 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:10

Author

Allen Thompson

Keywords

Scripture

2 Corinthians 5:20-6:10, 2 Corinthians 5:20-21, 2 Corinthians 6:1-10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21, Isaiah 58:1-12, Ezekiel 9:1-4, Revelation 7:1-4, 9-10, Revelation 13:16-17

Regarding Ash Wednesday Note: This passage appeared as part of the lectionary for Ash Wednesday. It starts with the gospel passage for that day, but attends to the other passages and themes, so it...

lectionary

Ash Wednesday

Author

Allen Thompson

Keywords

Scripture

2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10, Isaiah 58:1-12, Ezekiel 9:1-4, Revelation 7:1-4, 9-10, Revelation 13:null

Excursus on Ash Wednesday The Meaning of Ashes Ashes represent many things. The heaped up ashes in a hearth may indicate the benefit of warmth on a cold winter’s night. The charred remains of a per...

liturgy

God of all mercy and consolation

Author

Keywords

Scripture

Romans 8:33-34, Isaiah 55:6-7, Romans 8:38

Pastor: God of all mercy and consolation, come to the aid of Your people, turning us from our sin to live for You alone. Give us the power of Your Holy Spirit that, attentive to Your Word, we may c...

liturgy

Stand Firm Against Devil's Schemes

Author

Keywords

Scripture

Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8-9, Luke 1:79, Psalm 23:4, 2 Chronicles 20:15-17

Pastor: Satan and the powers of darkness seek to divide and destroy. And all too often God’s people either run from the battle in fear and defeat, or pick up the wrong weapons in the fight, relying ...

liturgy

Since we are assembled here in God’s house

Author

Keywords

Scripture

Romans 6:3-4 , Psalm 51:1-2, 10-12, Philippians 1:6

CONFESSION Pastor: Since we are assembled here in God’s house to hear His Word, to call upon Him in prayer, and to receive the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, it is good that we reflect upo...

liturgy

Satan and the powers of darkness

Author

Keywords

Scripture

Romans 3:23 , 1 John 1:8-9, Hebrews 8:12, 2 Corinthians 5:21

Pastor: Satan and the powers of darkness seek to divide and destroy. And all too often God’s people either run from the battle in fear and defeat, or pick up the wrong weapons in the fight, relying ...

liturgy

Living by God's Word Daily

Author

Keywords

Scripture

Psalm 139:7-10, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, John 14:26, Psalm 51:1-2 , Galatians 5:25, Romans 10:17, Revelation 3:20

Our gracious God, you come to us in the everyday. You give us your Word and your Spirit so that we can hear your voice and follow your ways. We confess that we have neglected your Word and the Sp...

liturgy

Let us confess our sin in the presence of God

Author

Keywords

Scripture

John 3:16-17, Lamentations 3:22

Pastor: Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another. People: Gracious God, have mercy on us. In Your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things done and...

liturgy

Confessing Sins, Receiving God's Grace

Author

Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church

Keywords

Scripture

Acts 2:1-4 , Psalm 103:12-13, 1 Peter 5:6-7, James 1:5, 1 John 3:1

Pastor: By grace, through Jesus, God calls us His children so that we might become more like Him, setting our hope on His grace, and living as holy people who fear the Lord and love one another. Whe...

liturgy

Wilderness Prayer, Inspired by Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16

Author

Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia

Keywords

Scripture

Deuteronomy 8:2-3, Deuteronomy 8:14-16

God of the Ages Our Deliverer and Provider We bow in humility before your grace You feed us with the divine Your word Your body You quench our thirst with living water A stream in the desert You gu...

liturgy

Eternal and Glorious God, You are

Author

Keywords

Eternal and Glorious God, You are merciful, kind, and forgiving. You hear us when we confess to You. We admit we do not focus on You with our whole heart, mind, soul, and strength. A day devoted to Yo...

liturgy

Confessing and Embracing God's Love

Author

Keywords

Scripture

Matthew 6:19-21, Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 20:7, Mark 10:17-22 , 1 Timothy 6:17, Jeremiah 17:7-8, Philippians 4:11-13

Gracious God, you love us deeply yet we take your love for granted. Rather than trusting you, we trust the gifts you have given us. We confess that our misplaced hope and reliance is on money, intelli...

liturgy

Forgotten Your Generosity and Kindness

Author

Keywords

Heavenly Father, we have forgotten your generosity and kindness. Believing you hold back from us, we have held back from others and from you. Gracious God, hear our confessions, and make us mindful of...

liturgy

Father God, you come to us in the

Author

Keywords

Scripture

James 1:22-25, Isaiah 30:21, Proverbs 2:1, Hebrews 4:12, Matthew 7:24-25, Romans 10:17, 1 Samuel 3:, Isaiah 55:3, Matthew 11:15, Acts 16:14

Father God, you come to us in the everyday. You give us your Word and your Spirit that we might hear your voice, and follow your ways. We confess that we have neglected your words to us and pretended ...

liturgy

Gracious God, you call us to draw near

Author

Keywords

Gracious God, you call us to draw near but we keep our distance. We are afraid of your direction and discipline, so we avoid honesty and confession. Father, help us trust in your goodness and your gra...

liturgy

Confessing and Embracing Divine Love

Author