Repentance Liturgy for the Close of a Pastoral Appointment

This past Sunday was my second to last Sunday. I preached on Repentance as a part of Welcome (from Amy Oden's book God's Welcome where she says that as we learn to see through the other's eyes we realize the extent to which our perspective has become the only perspective. We thus repent, turn, change.) I wanted us to be able to find closure to any old hurts so that the congregation and I don't take them forward into new relationships, new opportunities to Welcome God in others. Yet when I looked for a liturgy I was unable to find one. This is what I created instead. Hope it helps someone else:

Response to the Word

Liturgy of Reconciliation

Pastor: Over the last _____ years you have welcomed me into your pulpit and into your lives. You have needed me in times of crisis and times of celebration. I have been humbled by that welcome. 

Yet there have been ways and times that I have not served you well. Where I have hurt you with my actions or inaction, with things I have said or left unsaid. I invite you to bring to mind any of those times where I have let you down or hurt you. (pause) I repent of my sin and seek a new path, I grieve my limitations, and I am truly sorry for ways I have hurt and disappointed you. I ask for your forgiveness. 

SPRC Chair leads congregation: As Christ forgives us, we forgive you. 

Pastor: Because we are all broken people, there may have been times when you have hurt me as well. I invite you to bring to mind any times where you have hurt me, our relationship, or our ministry with your actions or inaction, with things you have said or left unsaid. (pause) 

SPRC Chair & Congregation: We ask your forgiveness for ways we have hurt you and sins we have committed against you.

Pastor:  As Christ has forgiven me, I forgive you. Having reconciled with one another, let us confess our sins to God and be reconciled with him.

All: Gracious and loving God, we are broken people. We have not done your will, we have harmed ourselves, each other, and your creation. We long for healing and wholeness but need your guidance to find it. Forgive us, we pray and turn us onto your path.

Pastor: Hear this good news: Christ died for us while we were yet sinners, that proves his love for us. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.

SPRC Chair Congregation: In the Name of Jesus Christ you are forgiven.

All: In the asking and receiving of forgiveness we turn toward a new path of healing, wholeness, and freedom. We release ourselves and each other from the brokenness of the past and we turn toward the future freed by God's grace.

Forbidden Fruit

I walked with Micah to the store today. As I walked toward the main street, I saw again the picturesque path leading away from the road. I see it multiple times every day. It seems so out of place in our suburbanesque neighborhood. It runs along the creak and the trees are so dense that it looks like a little forest stuck between two yards. The path runs alongside this "forest" and back into the unknown.

In my head, I know the path is some little used, alternate dirt driveway for one of the houses nearby, yet it calls to me. The call is only made stronger by the clear "Posted" sign just a little way down the track.

Today the path leads in the direction I'm heading. I think to myself, I could just see if it takes me around and up to the main road. Or perhaps it leads to the next subdivision. But no, it is marked, and so I obey the rules and walk toward the main road with visions of "Second Hand Lions" running through my head for reinforcement.

Yet the draw continues. On my way back from the store I think about that path. Maybe, just maybe, the posted notice is just about hunting. Perhaps it has nothing to do with innocent strangers taking a stroll along a beautiful path by the creak and the woods. And so I plan my route to get as close to the sign as I can. As I get closer, I justify going up the path so I can read the fine print under the word "Posted." The path looks perfect. It makes me forget about my aching feet and back and the fact that Micah has only just stopped his quiet protesting at being carried.

As I read the sign, my hope increases. No hunting or fishing it says! I was right! I was right to take a closer look! Four years of longing to explore this path, and all it took was a closer look! But it doesn't stop there. Absolutely no hunting fishing or trespassing for any reason. My heart sinks. I take a couple steps closer. If I haven't passed the "Posted" sign, perhaps it isn't yet trespassing? I move toward the "forest" and drink in the view.

I force myself to turn away. The longing to explore continues but I comfort myself by knowing that at least it makes a good sermon illustration.