Preface to Hosea 5:15-6:6

         "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end." God is steadfast and true, the Bible says. However, that has not always been the case with God's people. As we move toward a time for confession in our worship today, let's listen to God speak through the prophet Hosea. The words may feel harsh, for they tell of the Lord's exasperation with people who only return to him when the chips are down, when trouble comes knocking. If only God's faithfulness could be matched by people who remain steadfast and true - in good times, as well as in bad.  Listen to the prophet.

(read Hosea 5:15-6:6, then:)

        How different are we today? Does God ask, "what shall I do with you, O Brethren?" Are we constant in our faith, steadfast in our love? How are we when it comes to being merciful? (pause) How deeply we all depend upon God's grace! The time has come for confession. Please turn in your hymnal to #691, and let us together "acknowledge our guilt and seek God's face."

Litany of Confession

Leader: Almighty God, Spirit of purity and grace 
                 whose dwelling is with the humble and contrite heart,
                     hear your children's confession of sin and grant us mercy.
             For all that has been evil in our lives;
                 for unholy thoughts and impure motives,
                 for any scorn of goodness, trifling with truth,
                     and indifference to beauty,
                 for being petty when we could have been gracious,
People: forgive us, O God.
Leader: For lack of love toward you,
                     whose love has never failed;
                 for doubt in your providence,
                 for acts of ingratitude,
                 and for disobedience to visions we have been able to see,
People: forgive us, O God.
Leader: For the wrong we have done our neighbors;
                 for silence in the face of war,
                 for neglect of charity and failure in justice,
                 for forgetfulness of other's pain,
                 and for advantage taken of another's weakness,
People: forgive us, O God.
Leader: For our faulty following of the Master;
                     our slow faith in his power to save,
                     our timid, hesitant answers to his call of service,
                     our insensibility to the meaning of the cross;
                 for all that mars our discipleship
                     and makes it difficult for others to believe in him,
People: forgive us, O God.
Leader: May God, who is almighty and merciful
                 forgive our sins,
                 empower us to overcome temptation,
                 and enable us to love as Jesus loved.
People: AMEN 

Hymnal #691 - adapted from a litany of repentance,
Edward K. Ziegler, The Adventurous Future,
ed. Paul H. Bowman, © 1959 Brethren Press.