This is a confession I wrote for a service with John 4:1-26 (Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well) as the sermon text. It draws from different Jesus’ “I Am” statements in John.

Unison Prayer of Confession 

Jesus said, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.”

But we often try to satisfy our thirst elsewhere. 

Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never go thirsty.

But we often make excuses not to attend your banquet. 

Jesus said, “I am the true vine. Remain in me, as I also remain in you.”

But we often try to graft ourselves onto another plant.

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life.”

But we often would rather stumble around in the dark. Forgive us, Lord, for turning away from the gifts you freely give us.

Assurance of Pardon (John 6:51)

Jesus said, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread
will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from
within them.”

Thanks be to God!

Confession based on “I Am” statements in John by David Schweingruber is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

This is the beginning of a service I wrote for a sermon based on Ezekiel 37:1-14 (The Valley of the Dry Bones). The call to worship is derived from that passage. The unison confession asks God to give life to the different parts of our bodies, drawing on passages throughout Scripture.

Call to Worship

Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD!
This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones:

I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons
to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin;
I will put breath in you, and you will come to life.

Then you will know that I am the LORD.

Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD!

Opening Songs

“Song of the Prophets” (stanzas 1, 4, 18) (LUYH #53)
“Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God” (LUYH #746)

Unison Confession

Apart from you, Lord, we are dead in our sins,
like a valley strewn with dry bones.
Make every part of us alive so that we can serve you wholeheartedly.
Remove our heart of stone and give us a heart of flesh.
Give life to our eyes so we can fix them on Jesus.
Give life to our ears so we can hear what the Spirit is saying.
Give life to our tongues so we can proclaim your righteousness.
Give life to our hands so that we can extend them to those in need.
Give life to our feet so that we can bring good tidings.
Give us an undivided heart and put a new spirit in us.

Assurance of Pardon

When you were dead in your sins, God made you alive with Christ!
He has forgiven all your sins!

Thanks be to God!

Song of Response

“Breathe on Me, Breath of God” (LUYH  #747)

Liturgy for Ezekiel Worship Service by David Schweingruber is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

This is a commissioning service I wrote for Areopagus, our campus ministry at Iowa State. It has been used to commission two of our ministry directors. A leader reads the normal typeface text; the bold text is read by the congregation.

Commissioning Litany for Name of Campus Ministry Director

Brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ:

Today we rejoice in God’s gifts to his people and in the great things he is doing at Iowa State University. We thank God especially for Name as we commission him/her as the ministry director of Campus Ministry, send him/her as our missionary to the university, and come beside him/her in support of his/her ministry.

Almighty God, Wisdom was your first creation and Wisdom was the architect by your side when you marked off the world’s foundations.

Lord, grant us wisdom to care for your creation.

All truth is your truth and all your deeds are amazing. All who delight in them should ponder them.

Lord, give us a love of learning that will increase our reverence for you.

When you granted Solomon his request for wisdom, he established justice in Israel and his reputation brought honor to your name throughout the world.

Lord, grant us wisdom to do justice and mercy that your church may be the light of the world.

In the fullness of time, you sent us your Son, in whom lie all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. By the power of the cross, he made foolish the wisdom of the world and became our righteousness, our holiness and our redemption.

Lord, give us discernment to measure all this world’s wisdom by the foolishness of the cross.

Throughout this age you have sent your Spirit to raise up wise and godly men and women to lead your church, teach your people and contribute to your kingdom in every way you desire.

Lord, give the spirit of wisdom to our leaders and teachers that they may follow the example of our Servant Lord.

You are the source of all knowledge and you have established schools and universities where your knowledge is sought and taught.

Lord, grant that those who study your creation may come to the knowledge of its Creator.

We thank you for all these gifts you have given us. Reverence for you is the foundation of true wisdom and the rewards of understanding come to all who obey you. Grant your people reverence and obedience so that our faith may not rest on human wisdom, but on your power in Jesus Christ.

Amen.

The Lord Jesus set an example for us when he sat among the teachers in the temple courts, discussing deep questions with them. Likewise, when Paul visited Athens, he went boldly to the synagogue, the marketplace and the Areopagus to proclaim the gospel and debate the philosophers of the day. He did not speak the kind of wisdom that belongs to the world, nor the kind that appeals to its rulers. Instead, he preached Jesus Christ and him crucified.

Therefore, as possessors of the truth, let us go into the university and the marketplace of ideas, professing but also listening, teaching but also learning, with conviction but also humility, with boldness but also love.

We now intend to commission Name to lead us in this task in the position of Campus Ministry director.

Brother/Sister Name, in order that God’s people assembled here may witness that you, in the strength of the Lord, accept the responsibilities of this ministry, you are requested to stand and answer the following questions:

Do you believe that in the call of this ministry God himself is calling you to this position?

Do you commit yourself to the service of Jesus Christ as the Campus Ministry director?

Do you promise to use the gifts the Holy Spirit has given you to advance God’s kingdom at University?

I do, God helping me.

People of God:

Do you in the name of the Lord welcome Name as the Campus Ministry director? Do you promise to sustain him/her with your prayers, encourage him/her in the exercise of his/her tasks, and share with him/her in the work of his/her ministry?

We do, God helping us.

Laying on of hands

May God our heavenly Father, who has called you to this position, guide you by his Word, equip you with his Spirit, and so prosper your ministry that his church may increase and his name be praised.

Prayers are offered for the ministry director and the ministry.

“View the Present Through the Promise” Advent Candle-Lighting Liturgy Series by David Schweingruber is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

This is a series of five Advent (and Christmas Eve) Candle-Lighting Litanies  I wrote for use with the hymn “View the Present Through the Promise” (lyrics by Thomas H. Troeger; set to FRANKLIN PARK by Roy Hopp), which can be found in Lift Up Your Hearts (#470) and Sing! A New Creation (#90). We sang the hymn as a response to each litany. Each week’s litany is based on the Bible readings from the Revised Common Lectionary Year B so it is especially appropriate for that liturgical year.

“View the Present Through the Promise”

Advent Candle-Lighting Litany for use with
“View the Present Through the Promise” (Lift Up Your Hearts #470)
Lyrics by Thomas Troeger
For RCL Year B

First Week of Advent (Be Alert)

Leader: View the present through the promise. Christ will come again!

People: What does God promise us?

Leader: God is faithful. He will keep you firm to the end so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

People: What can we do to prepare for Christ’s coming?

Leader: Keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour. Be on guard! Be alert!

People: We will trust despite the deepening darkness. Christ will come again!

Lighting of the Advent Candle

Leader: The candle we light today reminds us to be alert. Hold fast to God’s promise. For although the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give light, God will keep us firm through the end.

People: View the present through the promise. Christ will come again!

Hymn of Response: “View the Present Through the Promise”

Second Week of Advent (Be Holy)

Leader: View the present through the promise. Christ will come again!

People: What does God promise us?

Leader: God is faithful. The glory of the LORD—a new heaven and a new earth—will be revealed and all people will see it together.

People: What can we do to prepare for Christ’s coming?

Leader: Live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God

People: We will trust despite the deepening darkness. Christ will come again!

Lighting of the Advent Candle

Leader: The candle we light today reminds us to be holy. God is not slow in keeping his promise. He is patient, for he wants everyone to come to repentance. Although the day of God will bring destruction, we look forward to a new heaven and a new earth.

People: View the present through the promise. Christ will come again!

Hymn of Response: “View the Present Through the Promise”

Third Week of Advent (Be Joyful)

View the present through the promise. Christ will come again!

People: What does God promise us?

Leader: The God who calls you is faithful. He will reward his people and make an everlasting covenant with them. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the LORD has blessed.

People: What can we do to prepare for Christ’s coming?

Leader: Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ.

People: We will trust despite the deepening darkness. Christ will come again!

Lighting of the Advent Candle

Leader: The candle we light today reminds us to be joyful. Hold fast to God’s promise. He will bestow on us a crown of beauty, the oil of joy and a garment of praise.

People: View the present through the promise. Christ will come again!

Hymn of Response: “View the Present Through the Promise”

Fourth Week of Advent (Be Not Afraid)

Leader: View the present through the promise. Christ will come again!

People: What does God promise us?

Leader: God is faithful. The kingdom of Jesus, the Son of David, will be established forever.

People: What can we do to prepare for Christ’s coming?

Leader: Do not be afraid. For no word from God will ever fail.

People: We will trust despite the deepening darkness. Christ will come again!

Lighting of the Advent Candle

Leader: The candle we light today reminds us to be not afraid. God’s faithfulness is established forever. Just as fulfilled his promises with the birth of Jesus Christ, so he will keep his promise that Christ will come again.

People: View the present through the promise. Christ will come again!

Hymn of Response: “View the Present Through the Promise”

Christmas Eve (Worship the Lord)

Leader: View the present through the promise. Christ will come again!

People: What does God promise us?

Leader: God is faithful. And so we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

People: What can we do to prepare for Christ’s coming?

Leader: Worship the Lord. Say among the nations: The Lord reigns. Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.

People: We will trust despite the deepening darkness. Christ will come again!

Lighting of the Advent Candle

Leader: The candle we light today reminds us to worship the Lord, who was once a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. He gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. He will appear again in even greater glory.

People: View the present through the promise. Christ will come again!

Hymn of Response: “View the Present Through the Promise”

“View the Present Through the Promise” Advent Candle-Lighting Liturgy Series by David Schweingruber is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

This is a series of five confessions I wrote for an eschatological sermon series entitled “What’s Next?” Pastor Kelly’s five sermon topics (with Scripture readings) were:  A New Heaven and a New Earth (Genesis 1-2:15), The Intermediate State (1st Thessalonians 4:13-5:11), The Great Multitude (Revelation 7:9-17), An Eternity of Worship (Revelation 5:11-14), and Angels (Genesis 1:26-27).

Each confession has a short Scripture reading (God’s Promises), a unison prayer of confession, an assurance of pardon, and a suggested hymn of response.

A NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH (GENESIS 1-2:15)

God’s Promises: Revelation 21:1-6

Unison Prayer of Confession

We repent, Lord, of all the ways we doubt your promises. Open our hearts to the reality more true than anything we can now perceive: There will be a New Heaven and a New Earth. God will dwell among his people and wipe every tear from our eyes. Help us to live our lives in anticipation of this sure conclusion. Let all our words and actions sow the seeds of God’s Kingdom, foreshadowing the perfect peace and justice that will prevail.

Assurance of Pardon (Revelation 21:7)

He who is seated on the throne promises us: “Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.”

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.

Song of Response: “Jerusalem the Golden” (Lift Up Your Hearts #488)

THE INTERMEDIATE STATE (1st Thessalonians 4:13-5:11)

God’s Promises: Philippians 1:20-26

Unison Prayer of Confession

We repent, Lord, of all the ways we doubt your promises. Open our hearts to the reality more true than anything we can now perceive: When we die, we will be with Christ. And when Christ returns, we will be bodily resurrected and will live with him forever on the earth made new. Help us to live our lives in anticipation of this sure conclusion. Let our words and actions sow the seeds of God’s Kingdom, honoring God with our bodies and caring for his creation, foreshadowing restored bodies and a renewed creation more glorious than we can imagine.

Assurance of Pardon (John 14:2-3)

Jesus promises us: “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.

Song of Response:  “I Know Not Why God’s Wondrous Grace” (Lift Up Your Hearts #690)

THE GREAT MULTITUDE (REVELATION 7:9-17)

God’s Promises: Daniel 7:13-14

Unison Prayer of Confession

We repent, Lord, of all the ways we doubt your promises. Open our hearts to the reality more true than anything we can now perceive: We are members of a family of people from every nation, race, ethnic group, and language, spanning all of time and space. We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, and one day we will join them around God’s throne. Help us to live our lives in anticipation of this sure conclusion. Let our words and actions sow the seeds of God’s Kingdom, relinquishing lesser loyalties to nation, party, and race, seeking oneness with all who follow Jesus, caring for all people, and working for peace in all situations, foreshadowing the peace and unity of all who worship the Lamb through all eternity.

Assurance of Pardon (Isaiah 43:5-7)

God promises us: “Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.
I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’
Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.

Song of Response:  “Amid the Thronging Worshipers” (Lift Up Your Hearts #511)

AN ETERNITY OF WORSHIP (REVELATION 5:11-14)

God’s Promises: Isaiah 45:22-24

Unison Prayer of Confession

We repent, Lord, of all the ways we doubt your promises. Open our hearts to the reality more true than anything we can now perceive: Our worship here today is just a foretaste of the eternal worship of God by all creation. Help us to live our lives in anticipation of this sure conclusion. Let our words and actions sow the seeds of God’s Kingdom, offering up our lives as a sacrifice of worship, joining with believers across the world for Lord’s Day worship, and adding our voices to the heavenly chorus praising God throughout all eternity.

Assurance of Pardon (Philippians 2:10-11)

God promises us: “At the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.

Song of Response: “Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty” (Lift Up Your Hearts #538)

ANGELS (GENESIS 1:26-27)

God’s Promises: Matthew 18:10

Unison Prayer of Confession

We repent, Lord, of all the ways we doubt your promises. Open our hearts to the reality more true than anything we can now perceive: God has appointed angels as our fellow workers and worshipers. Though we cannot see them, angels are encamped around us. One day we will see them and worship with them throughout eternity. Help us to live our lives in anticipation of this sure conclusion. Let our words and actions sow the seeds of God’s Kingdom, trusting in God’s protection and joining in worship with the heavenly choir.

Assurance of Pardon (Psalm 34:7)

God promises us: “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the LORD is God; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.

Song of Response: “Holy God, We Praise Your Name” (Lift Up Your Hearts #540)

What’s Next? Confession Series by David Schweingruber is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

This is a confession I wrote based on Luke 12:32-40, which was the Gospel reading for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, Year C.

We have a section of our service called “We Are Renewed in God’s Grace,” which typically consists of a confession, an assurance of pardon, and a hymn of response. One variation is to open with a Scripture reading as “God’s Will for Our Lives.” Here I used Luke 12:32-40 as “God’s Will for Our Lives” and followed with a unison prayer of confession I composed and an assurance of pardon from the passage.

WE ARE RENEWED IN GOD’S GRACE

God’s Will for Our Lives: Luke 12:32-40

Unison Prayer of Confession

The watch seems long and too often we are distracted, weary, or fast asleep.
Lord, awaken us from our slumber.
Make us good servants
and good stewards of the gifts you have given us to serve our neighbors.
Draw our hearts to heaven—
to your Kingdom and your will—
so that we can build our treasure with you
and be ready for the hour of your return.

Assurance of Pardon

Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

Song of Response

“O God, Our Help in Ages Past” (or another appropriate hymn)

Confession Based on Luke 12:32-40 by David Schweingruber is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

This is a series of five Advent (and Christmas Eve) Candle-Lighting Litanies Naomi Friend and I wrote for use with Graham Kendrick’s hymn “Make Way.” Kendrick’s full version has four stanzas; a two-stanza version of the song, which we used, can be found in Sing! A New Creation (#98). We sang the hymn as a response to each litany. Each week’s litany is based on the Bible readings from the Revised Common Lectionary Year A so it is especially appropriate for that liturgical year.

“Make Way for Christ the King!”

Advent Candle Lighting Liturgy for use with
Graham Kendrick’s “Make Way” (Sing! A New Creation #98)
For RCL Year A

First Sunday of Advent

Leader: Fling wide the gates and welcome Jesus into your lives! Make way for Christ the King!

People: How can we prepare for the arrival of the King?

Leader: The night is nearly over; the day is almost near! Put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light! Clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ!

People: Praise the Lord! Make way for Christ the King!

Lighting of the Advent Candle

Leader: The candle we light today reminds us to prepare for Christ’s coming by putting aside the darkness that so easily entangles us and seeking the true Light of the World!

People: We fling wide the gates and welcome Jesus into our lives! Make way for Christ the King!

Hymn of Response: “Make Way”

Second Sunday of Advent

Leader:  Fling wide the gates and welcome Jesus into your lives! Make way for Christ the King!

People: How can we prepare for the arrival of the King?

Leader: Repent and prepare your heart for the coming of the Lord! Put on a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another just as Christ accepted you in order to bring praise to God!

People: Praise the Lord! Make way for Christ the King!

Lighting of the Advent Candle

Leader: The candle we light today reminds us to accept one another and become servants to each other just as Christ became a servant on behalf of God’s truth.

People: We fling wide the gates and welcome Jesus into our lives! Make way for Christ the King!

Hymn of Response: “Make Way”

Third Sunday of Advent

Leader:  Fling wide the gates and welcome Jesus into your lives! Make way for Christ the King!

People: How can we prepare for the arrival of the King?

Leader: Be patient until the Lord’s coming! Stand firm with your brothers and sisters in the face of suffering as God’s Kingdom is made real in this world!

People: Praise the Lord! Make way for Christ the King!

Lighting of the Advent Candle

Leader: The candle we light today reminds us to patiently wait for the Coming of Christ who will end all suffering and wipe away all our tears.

People: We fling wide the gates and welcome Jesus into our lives! Make way for Christ the King!

Hymn of Response: “Make Way”

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Leader:  Fling wide the gates and welcome Jesus into your lives! Make way for Christ the King!

People: How can we prepare for the arrival of the King?

Leader: Be careful, be calm and don’t be afraid. Don’t lose heart, but trust in the Lord for his promises are sure. His Kingdom is near! Jesus will come to save his people from their sins!

People: Praise the Lord! Make way for Christ the King!

Lighting of the Advent Candle

Leader: The candle we light today reminds us to cast aside fear and trust in God’s promises—even when they seem impossible.

People: We fling wide the gates and welcome Jesus into our lives! Make way for Christ the King!

Hymn of Response: “Make Way”

Christmas Eve

Leader:  Fling wide the gates and welcome Jesus into your lives! Make way for Christ the King!

People: How can we prepare for the arrival of the King?

Leader: Burst into songs of joy together for the Lord has comforted and redeemed his people. Receive the King into your lives and believe on his name.

People: Praise the Lord! Make way for Christ the King!

Lighting of the Advent Candle

Leader: The candle we light tonight reminds us that the true light that gives light to everyone has come into the world. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

People: We fling wide the gates and welcome Jesus into our lives! Make way for Christ the King!

Hymn of Response: “Make Way”

— Naomi Friend and David Schweingruber

“Make Way for Christ the King!” Advent Liturgy by Naomi Friend & David Schweingruber is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.