Father God, too often we show preference to people who are self-motivated, self-made, and self-sufficient. We honor the rich and look past the poor. We invite those with prestige and power to sit in seats of privilege, while we leave the lowly and humble to stand outside and apart. Our hearts are far from you when we respect those who look good on the outside, and we reject those who appear unclean. Forgive us, we pray, for our neglect, for our selfishness of mind and heart. Conform us to your character. Amen.
Assurance of pardon for a communion Sunday
Brothers and sisters, God does not leave us in our sin and shame. He does not abandon us to our self-centered decision-making. We prefer to starve ourselves on the world’s bread that cannot satisfy. But at this table, our God provides us with the Bread of Life. Jesus...