In the beginning God created all things and God saw that they were good.

Pastor: In the beginning God created all things

People: and God saw that they were good.

Pastor: God created Adam and Eve in His image, to be in relationship with Him. When confronted by temptation, they traded the truth about their Creator for a lie and tasted the emptiness of life without Him. Like our first parents, we too are fallen sinners, giving in to the temptations, wiles, and darkness of Satan. For if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

People: But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9

Silence for personal confession

Pastor: Lord God, You created the world and it was good.  

People: We confess that by our sinful disobedience we have marred Your creation and cut ourselves off from You. Instead of loving You with our whole heart, we have worshiped idols of our own making.  Instead of following Your commands, we have chosen our own path. Instead of listening for Your voice, we have foolishly tried to hide from Your presence. Have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and lead us to everlasting life. Amen.

Pastor: God has not abandoned His creation. For “when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship…So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.” Galatians 4:4-7. Forgiveness in ours in Christ Jesus.  By His death and resurrection, we have life with God – both here and in eternity.

People: Amen. Thanks be to God!

Pastor: Hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love,

People:and with Him is plentiful redemption.