Confession and Absolution, and Prayer of the Day (20/4/20)

OPENING SENTENCES:
PASTOR: You have been born anew; Alleluia;
RESPONSE: through the living and enduring word of God. Alleluia!
(1 Pet 1:23 NRSV)

INVOCATION:
P: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
R: Amen.

CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION:
P: Friends in Christ: Let us confess our sins to God our Father and ask Him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to forgive us.
R: We confess that we are born in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have failed to do. We have not loved You with our whole heart, and we have not loved our neighbour as ourselves. We deserve Your eternal punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us. Amen.
P: I ask each of you in the presence of God who searches the heart: Do you confess that you have sinned, and do you repent of your sins?
R: I do.
P: Do you believe that Jesus Christ has redeemed you from all your sins, and do you desire forgiveness in His name?
R: I do.
P: Do you intend with the help of the Holy Spirit to live as in God’s presence, and to strive daily to lead a holy life, even as Christ has made you holy?
R: I do.
P: As a called and ordained servant of the word, I announce the grace of God to all of you. On behalf of my Lord Jesus Christ, and by His command, I forgive the sins of all of you who repent and believe, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Peace be with you.
R: Amen.

PRAYER OF THE DAY:
ALL: Lord God, your own Son was humiliated to lift up fallen humanity and to rescue us from the dangers of everlasting death. Give eternal joy to your faithful people. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.