“Shame derives its power from being unspeakable.
”— Brené Brown

We live in a never ending game of hide and seek with our Father. The good news for us all is that we always hide in plain sight whether we know it or not. Our Father sees us, knows us, and loves us, no matter how unlovely we consider ourselves to be.

CALL TO WORSHIP

People of God, trust in the Lord, and do good.
We trust in you, God. In your presence we find safety and rest.

Take delight in the Lord.
We delight in you, God. Your love sustains us day to day.

Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.
Lord, make our innocence radiate like the dawn, and make the justice of our cause shine like the noonday sun.

The Lord delights in every detail of our lives.
Even when we stumble, we do not fall, for we are upheld by your hand, Lord.

Be still in the presence of the Lord.
We will dwell in your presence, Lord, and wait for you in expectation. Amen.

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Merciful father, we come to you with the weight of shame on our backs. It is so heavy that we are reluctant to come to you, reluctant even to bring to mind what causes our shame.
Forgive us, Lord, for your mercy is great.

We so often hide ourselves away rather than bare our shame to you, and in doing so, we are eaten away by it.
Expose us, Lord. Bring us out of our hiding and into your presence. 

When we hide, we hurt not only ourselves, but others also: our families, friends, and neighbors.
Forgive us, Lord, and give us strength to bare our weaknesses to one another.

Why is the weight of sin so heavy? Why does the need to hide feel so strong?
Free us from the weight of sin, Lord. Lead us by the hand into the new life you’ve promised us.

Church, let us drink fully this cup of sorrow—sharing our pain, faultiness, and inadequacy with one another, knowing that when we do this, God leads us through sorrow and into joy.
Thanks be to God, our joy and our salvation. Amen.