Opening Prayer

Lord Almighty,

You know that we are dust.

Formed there in the beginning,

And returning in the end.

Our days are as ashes in the wind before You.

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Father of Mercy,

You know that we are broken.

Made unclean first in the Garden,

Carrying sin from generation to generation.

We all, like sheep, have gone astray.

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God of our Salvation,

You welcome true repentance.

In both grief and confidence

We approach Your throne of Grace.

Receive our offering today, O God.

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Empty us that we may be filled.

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Amen.

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A Reading from the Scriptures | Psalm 51

Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin!

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For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.

Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
and blameless in your judgment.

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

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Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that you have broken rejoice.

Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.

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Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.

Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
O God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.

O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.

For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

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Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;
build up the walls of Jerusalem;

then will you delight in right sacrifices,
in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.

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A Time of Confession

(During this time, you may bring your confession before God in silence, 

or you may speak it aloud to one another.)

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A Song to Sing Together | Just As I Am

Just as I am without one plea

But that Thy blood was shed for me

And that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee

O Lamb of God I come, I come

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Just as I am and waiting not

To rid my soul of one dark blot

To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot

O Lamb of God I come, I come

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I come to Thee

Forever I come, I come to Thee

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Just as I am though tossed about

With many a conflict many a doubt

Fightings within and fears without

O Lamb of God I come

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Just as I am Thou wilt receive

Wilt welcome pardon cleanse relieve

Because Thy promise I believe

O Lamb of God I come, I come

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I come to Thee

Forever I come, I come to Thee

Jesus I run, I run to Thee

Forever I come, I come to Thee

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Just as I am without one plea

But that Thy blood was shed for me

And that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee

O Lamb of God I come, I come…

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I come to Thee

Forever I come, I come to Thee

Jesus I run, I run to Thee

Forever I come, I come to Thee

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Closing Prayer: 

(from the Book of Common Prayer)

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Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. 

Amen.

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