Confession

When we think of the word confession, perhaps what comes to mind is a a scene of interrogation like those pictured above. (Can you identify the interrogators in each of these scenes?) And certainly it is possible that the only confession that some make is one that is coerced, forced, or "facilitated"  -- like pulling a tooth, rather than letting it fall out of its own accord.  When interrogation is involved, usually the kind of confession is one that is a disclosure of illegal activity.

For the purposes of our discussion, we will concentrate on confession in two other senses. 

1. Confession as disclosure or confession of sins
2. Confession as acknowledgement of faith and praise of God's holiness and mercy

You may think of other ways to frame what can be understood as confession either from what you have experienced in the past or what you have longed for in the present. I simply want for us to consider that for members of the Body of Christ, the Church, we would be cheating ourselves if we hold on to a limited understanding of confession.

What role has confession played in your life? Is it once and done, or can confession be a way of life for us as those called to be witnesses of all that we have heard and seen of the power of Christ to reveal life where only death seems to hold sway.

From illustration of each of the 28 articles of the Augsburg Confession 

by Wenceslas Hollar (1607-1677)

I'm looking forward to our time together on Sunday. In the meantime, take a moment to invite a friend to come along with you or at the very least, send them a link to this blog and encourage them to check it out.   +cf

+         +         +

Reformation Sunday

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Prayer of the Day

Almighty God, gracious Lord, 

we thank you that your Holy Spirit renews the church in every age. 

Pour out your Holy Spirit on your faithful people. 

Keep them steadfast in your word, 

protect them in times of trial, 

defend them against all enemies of the gospel, 

and bestow on the church your saving peace, 

through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, 

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, 

one God, now and forever.  Amen

Readings

Jeremiah 31:31-34

Psalm 46

Romans 3:19-28

John 8:31-36