June 13, 2010

This was a hard text for me; the parable of the unmerciful servant presents a view of God very different than other parts of the biblical text. Is God a loving parent or a king who puts us in debtor's prison if we don't forgive others? How do we discern God's true character? I can only hang on to the hope and assurance that God will end up being infinitely better than we can imagine. The liturgy this week is borne out of this tension.

Not Alone (Solomon's Porch)

Confession

God,

Sometimes we see you as a king:
a harsh taskmaster waiting to repay with vengeance.
Sometimes we see you as a lax parent:
forgiving all even when we do not ask.
Somehow both of these images are incomplete,
and we struggle to understand who you are.

We confess our limited understanding
of you and of your grace,
but we affirm in faith
that you are better than we can imagine.

We confess that we do not offer
the grace that we have received
to those around us.

Help us embrace our neighbors,
and forgive them in love and mercy,
even as we know you forgive us.

Amen

Assurance of Pardon

"In a surge of anger
I hid my face from you for a moment,
but with everlasting kindness
I will have compassion on you,"
says the Lord your Redeemer.
"I, even I, am he who blots out
your transgressions, for my own sake,
and remembers your sins no more."
"I have swept away your offenses like a cloud,
your sins like the morning mist.
Return to me,
for I have redeemed you."
(Isaiah 54, 43 & 44)

You Are My King

Communion Song: All The Way My Savior Leads Me (Trad., Tomlin)

Closing Song: Stronger (Hillsong)