Morning, ‘Flectioneers, something a little different today.
Below we have your Confession and Absolution, Blessing and Dismissal based on the lectionary passages (Psalm 27 this week), with two alternatives for the confession (I know, I spoil you) but first, some thoughts on that weirdness of weirdnesses, the boiling pot of Genesis 15.
A couple of years ago I prepared a sample lecture on Old Testament covenant, including that passage and I enclose it below as a free download. You can split it up and use it as sermon notes, have a think through the questions yourself, print off the handouts and use them for Bible studies, or use them as kindling for burning me at the stake as a heretic. (I don’t think anything is toooo heretical, but you never know.)
It looks at God’s covenants in the light of the Ancient Near East culture ,and what Abraham and Moses would have understood by covenant. Then the second half links this with communion and the new covenant, and ends with an optional assignment to bring the reality of covenant into our daily walk with God.
The first four pages are lecturer’s notes and answers, the last four pages are student hand outs. Click link below for 8-page PDF.
Liturgy Resources for Lent 2
Psalm 27
Confession and Absolution
One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after;
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.
Father God, we have not sought after you.
Forgive us and help us.
We have not made our home in your house,
Forgive us and help us.
We have not looked for your beauty.
Forgive us and help us.
Forgive us, good Lord,
by your mercy alone.
Forgive us and help us.
Father God,
we thank you that you restore us when we repent,
you shield us when are in need,
and you raise us up to live with you.
We praise you, good Lord.
For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion:
We praise you, good Lord.
in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me;
We praise you, good Lord.
he shall set me up upon a rock.
We praise you, good Lord.
Amen.
or
We come to you in sorrow for our sins.
Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
be gracious to me and answer me.
We confess that we have not loved you with our whole hearts.
Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
be gracious to me and answer me.
Nor have we loved our neighbours as ourselves.
Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
be gracious to me and answer me.
Lord, we cry to you for mercy.
“Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!”
Your face, Lord, do I seek.
The Lord forgive and restore you,
and turn his face in kindness upon you.
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The Lord is the stronghold of my life.
Blessing and Dismissal
Wait for the Lord.
Be strong,
let your heart take courage,
and wait for the Lord.
And the blessing …
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom then shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
In the peace and strength of God, go.
The Reflectionary 