A Prayer of Confession before Communion, March 2, 2008
Offered by Pastor Doug Scalise
We have sinned this week, O Lord, in word, thought, and deed. We have said things we shouldn’t have said and withheld praise when it could it have been given. We have thought that which was unkind, unholy, and unprofitable, and we have failed to think the thoughts of love, peace, and justice your Spirit longed to give us. We have been busy about many things that should not have occupied our time and have neglected to do those things that would have pleased you and served others. Confessing our sins, we ask that your grace and mercy be upon us, to forgive our sins, heal our brokenness, and return us to your ways of love and grace as we live in your kingdom.
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:8-9
1 Corinthians 11 from Eugene Peterson’s The Message
“Let me go over with you again exactly what goes on in the Lord’s Supper and why it is so centrally important. I received my instructions from the Master himself and passed them on to you. The Master, Jesus, on the night of his betrayal, took bread. Having given thanks, he broke it and said,
This is my body, broken for you. Do this to remember me.
After supper, he did the same thing with the cup:
This cup is my blood, my new covenant with you.
Each time you drink this cup, remember me.
What you must solemnly realize is that every time you eat this bread and every time you drink this cup, you reenact in your words and actions the death of the Master. You will be drawn back to this meal again and again until the Master returns. You must never let familiarity breed contempt.
Examine your motives, test your heart, come to this meal in holy awe.
