THE COLLECT
Almighty God, who spared not Yourself from human suffering and frailty mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of Your Son, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Pastor: Dear friends, the Gospel of Christ moves us to acknowledge and confess our sin and rebelliousness; and that we should neither dissemble nor cloak them before the face of Almighty God; but confess them with an humble, lowly, penitent, and obedient heart; to the end that we may obtain forgiveness of the same, by His infinite goodness and mercy. And while we ought, at all times, to acknowledge our sins before God; how much more ought we to acknowledge and confess when we assemble and meet together to give thanks for the great benefits that we have received at His hands, to set forth His most worthy praise, and to hear His most Holy Word! I pray and encourage you to accompany me with a pure heart, and humble voice, unto the throne of the heavenly grace, saying:
Leader: Lord, I have betrayed you
By following my own way.
All: I have denied you
By fearing to follow yours.
Leader: I have mocked you
By not taking your death seriously.
All: Lord, I am lost.
Let your forgiveness find me.
Leader: Hold me in your strong arms
And give me your new life.
All: Live in me and with me day by day,
That together we may make a world
where all is made new.
