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.
