O God, by the passion of your blessed Son you made an instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life: Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ, that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. 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, as many as are here present, to accompany me with a pure heart, and humble voice, unto the throne of the heavenly grace, saying:

Heavenly Father, we lower our heads before you and we confess that we have too often forgotten that we are yours. Sometimes we carry on our lives as if there is no God and we fall short of being a credible witness to You. For these things we ask your forgiveness and we also ask for your strength. Give us clear minds and open hearts so we may witness to You in our world. Remind us to be who You would have us to be regardless of what we are doing or who we are with. Hold us to You and build our relationship with You and with those You have given us on earth.