Declarations of Forgiveness
All of these Declarations of Forgiveness may be spoken from the font.
Either before the Declaration, or at the phrase “In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven” (or similar words) the pastor may lift water from the font with his or her hands, or pour water from a pitcher into the font.
The wilderness and the dry land will be glad,
the desert will rejoice and blossom;
for waters will break forth in the wilderness,
and streams will flow in the desert.
The captives and the lost will return to God
with smiles on their faces and songs in their hearts.
Friends, believe the good news of the gospel:
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
Thanks be to God! (Isaiah 35)
Then Christ the Lord said, “It is finished!
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.
To the thirsty I will give water as a gift,
from the spring of the river of life.”
Friends, hear this, for these words are trustworthy and true:
In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven! (Revelation 21)
Hear the good news!
God’s mercy is poured out like a mighty river;
grace flows like a never-ending stream.
Believe the gospel, and give thanks!
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
Since we were buried with Christ in these waters,
we are raised to new life with him.
The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting!
I declare to you, in the name of Jesus Christ,
we are forgiven.
Hear the good news of the gospel.
In the waters of baptism,
we are set free from our bondage to self.
We are set free to live in love for God and neighbor.
Thanks be to God. (Galatians 5)
In the waters of baptism
we were buried with Christ,
and all our sin with us.
And from the waters of baptism
we were raised up with Christ
to a new life which we still live
by God’s incredible mercy
and in the power of the Holy Spirit.
In Jesus Christ, friends, you are forgiven and set free.
Hear the good news of the gospel:
In Jesus Christ,
we have redemption through his sacrifice,
and forgiveness for our sin,
according to the riches of divine grace,
which God has poured out upon us!
Know that you are forgiven,
and be made glad! (Ephesians 1)
This is the good news of the gospel,
and it is for you and for all.
Whatever you have done,
whatever you have failed to do,
whoever you are,
whoever you wish you were but are not:
You are accepted, you are welcomed.
You are washed clean, you are raised up.
You are forgiven, you are set free.
In the love of Jesus Christ, you are loved forever.
In the waters of baptism we are set free
to let go what is old and broken,
to live a new life in the resurrection,
and to follow together a joyful way,
after Jesus Christ, our loving Savior.
While pouring water into the font:
Hear the sound of the good news!
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
Jesus said: I am the bread of life.
Whoever comes to me will never be hungry,
and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
Blessed are those who hunger
and thirst for what is right,
for they will be filled.
Friends, hear and believe the promise of the gospel:
by the grace of Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven,
the poor and lowly are lifted up,
and the hungry are filled with good things.
Thanks be to God! (John 6, Matthew 5, Luke 1)
