Embracing Forgiveness and Easter Joy

Pastor: Even in our Easter joy, we confess before our gracious God our failings and sin. For though our voices sing out Alleluias this day, we fail to live every day as Easter people.

(Silence for reflection and personal confession)

Pastor: Let us pray: Almighty God, in raising Jesus from the tomb you have given us the sure sign of Your power to deliver us from sin and death and to renew Your whole creation.  

People: Yet we confess that too often we have chosen to remain captive to fear, clinging to our selfish ways and doubting Your power to make all things new. By our thoughts, words, and actions, we have scorned Your love, diminished the lives of others, and defaced Your image in us. Raise us from the death of sin that we may live with Christ in the joy of His resurrection, now and forever. Amen.

Pastor: If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, so in Christ all will be made alive. 

By His sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection, Jesus Christ has won the victory over sin, death, and the devil, and through Him, your sins are forgiven. New life and salvation are yours! Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” This is the Good News of Easter that we celebrate today and every day! 

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

People:He is risen indeed! Alleluia!