Confession

We begin worship by uniting our voices in praise with an opening hymn and then enter a time of reflection and confession.  In confession we acknowledge what God declares in Isaiah: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts and, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord”(Isaiah 55:8).  We ask the Holy Spirit to search our hearts and to bring to mind the ways we have offended Him.  As the time of silent reflection concludes the pastor offers a confession for everyone and then announces the richness of God’s love through absolution: “If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." (John 20:23)