Common Worship

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A Penitential Service (outline)

¶ Gathering

Greeting

We come from scattered lives to meet with God.
Let us recognize his presence with us.
Silence is kept.
As God's people we have gathered:
let us worship him together.

Introduction, Welcome and Explanations

The Collect

¶ Word

Reading 1

Psalm 51

1Have mercy on me, O God, in your great goodness; ♦
according to the abundance of your compassion
blot out my offences.

2Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness ♦
and cleanse me from my sin.

3For I acknowledge my faults ♦
and my sin is ever before me.

4Against you only have I sinned ♦
and done what is evil in your sight,

5So that you are justified in your sentence ♦
and righteous in your judgement.

6I have been wicked even from my birth, ♦
a sinner when my mother conceived me.

7Behold, you desire truth deep within me ♦
and shall make me understand wisdom
in the depths of my heart.

8Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean; ♦
wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

9Make me hear of joy and gladness, ♦
that the bones you have broken may rejoice.

10Turn your face from my sins ♦
and blot out all my misdeeds.

11Make me a clean heart, O God, ♦
and renew a right spirit within me.

12Cast me not away from your presence ♦
and take not your holy spirit from me.

13Give me again the joy of your salvation ♦
and sustain me with your gracious spirit;

14Then shall I teach your ways to the wicked ♦
and sinners shall return to you.

15Deliver me from my guilt, O God,
the God of my salvation, ♦
and my tongue shall sing of your righteousness.

16O Lord, open my lips ♦
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

17For you desire no sacrifice, else I would give it; ♦
you take no delight in burnt offerings.

18The sacrifice of God is a broken spirit; ♦
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

19O be favourable and gracious to Zion; ♦
build up the walls of Jerusalem.

20Then you will accept sacrifices offered in righteousness,
the burnt offerings and oblations; ♦
then shall they offer up bulls on your altar.

Reading 2

Sermon

¶ Response

Act of Penitence

This might include the following: the Commandments, Jesus' summary of the Law or the Beatitudes; silence; Confession; imposition of ashes or some symbolic placing of sin at the cross; the use of water for washing or sprinkling; Kyries; Absolution.

Thanksgiving

See what love the Father has given us,
that we should be called the children of God.
You are my sons and daughters,
this day I have begotten you.
See what love the Father has given us.
As many as received him,
to them he gave power to become the children of God.
See what love the Father has given us.
Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit.
See what love the Father has given us,
that we should be called the children of God.

cf 1 John 3.1

Intercessions

The Lord's Prayer

As our Saviour taught us, so we pray:

AllOur Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.

¶ Going out

Affirmation of Faith

Blessing and Dismissal

Now may the Lord of peace himself
give you peace at all times and in every way.
The Lord be with you all;
and the blessing …

cf 2 Thessalonians 3.16

Copyright acknowledgment (where not indicated below):

Greeting (General) © Panel on Worship, Church of Scotland (Adapted)