Here’s
an act of confession and words of assurance for All Saints (November 1 or the
Sunday closest). It was written by Rev.
Lucus Keppel and posted on LiturgyLink.
Confession & Assurance
for All Saints
Our
lives are full of mistakes and errors – places where we follow self-generated
idols instead of the One True God. We are not alone in these mistakes – all of
those who have come before us also were plagued with temptation and sin. Let us
come before God, just as generations of believers have done, and pray for God’s
forgiveness and grace.
Beloved
God,
who
was known to our mothers and fathers,
and
even to our spiritual forebears,
have
mercy on us.
We
do not always love as you would have us love.
We
do not always do as you would have us do.
In
our stubbornness,
we
turn from you when we should turn toward you.
Hold
us, dear One –
comfort
us when we mourn the passing of friends and family,
and
help us to know that they are rejoicing in your presence.
We
praise you for the grace you shower on us,
constantly
forgiving our errors,
especially
the ones that we don’t share with any but you.
Hear
now the silent fears and worries of our hearts.
A
time of silence
Friends,
hear the good news! Though thousands upon thousands of our ancestors did not
follow God’s ways perfectly, we have hope in the one who did! Jesus, a man of a
particular people in a particular time, taught through his words and deeds that
God has already forgiven us. Thus, we and all who have come before us are
rightly known as saints – the holy ones of God! Thanks be to God for God’s
mercy, grace, and love! Amen!
~ written by Rev. Lucus Keppel, Ancho Community
& Corona United Presbyterian Churches, New Mexico. Posted on LiturgyLink. https://www.liturgylink.net/2013/11/11/awareness-and-reconciliation-for-all-saints-day/
