GL Worship Resourcesfor September 14, 2008 Bulletin

We are the Lord’s

Romans 14:8.

Praising/adoring

Bless the Lord, O my soul

and do not forget all his benefits—

who forgives all your iniquity….

who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

who satisfies you with good as long as you live

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Confessing/reconciling

Leader:Like the slave with a big debt, we can hardly believe when the debt is cancelled. Then, like the slave with the cancelled debt, too often we become unmerciful and unforgiving to those who are in debt to us.

People: Lord, have mercy on us sinners.

Leader: Like Joseph’s brothers we betray and deceive those close to us. We don’t expect or deserve to be forgiven. And we are overwhelmed when forgiveness is extended.

People: Lord, your mercy is astounding. Is it really true that you will not deal with us according to our sins?

Leader: As the heavens are high above the earth, so great is the Lord’s steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us.

Sending

Go now as loved and forgiven people to serve the Lord, with a spirit of welcome and forgiveness. Who are you to pass judgment on others? It is before their Lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

Ron Rempel, Waterloo, Ontario

Today is Publishing Sunday. Mennonite Publishing Network, a joint ministry of Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite ChurchCanada, produces resources that equip the church to experience and share the gospel from an Anabaptist perspective. Ron Rempel is executive director.

Bible readings for today:Genesis 50:15-21; Psalm 103: (1-7), 8-13; Romans 14:1-12; Matthew 18:21-35.

Bible readings for next Sunday:Jonah 3:10-4:11; Psalm 145:1-8; Philippians 1:21-30; Matthew 20:1-16.