Hi Richard, You can find Common Worship on the Golden Pathways disk or at: http://wedgeblade.net/gold_path/data/meth/101058.htm Len On 7/24/2012 2:21 AM, Richard and Maria wrote:
Hi
Could someone put Common Worship in the Life of the Church on the Wedgeblade website? It's a great document.
As I have gone on through the years, I have reflected more on the confession aspect.
In the light of the way the Gospel and letters of Paul describe the people of faith, our present "unworthiness" is not emphasised, but the greatness of what we have received, which was not earned. We are a "new Creation", made "friends with God" (See 2 Corinthians 5:16ff for example). To me the confession is more about the shock of discovering my/our having forgotten this wonderful gift over and over. The thanksgiving is in rediscovering it, having it reaffirmed and sensing the power within and among us to live it out.
I recognise that for some in our community what I have just written might be controversial, and for others illuminating, and I welcome all responses.
Best wishes
Richard
You are right: there are four parts of worship: Thanksgiving, Confession,Praise and Dedication or commitment. We never began worship without direct acknowledgement of who we pray, then confession of our unworthiness for all we have received, which leads us to remember not only the goodness of our own lives but the amazing creative love of God, which in turn calls for our dedication or commitment.