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Confession/Reconciliation of the Penitent
During the prayer of General Confession, we honestly confess our sins against God and our neighbors in the trusting knowledge of God's infinite love, grace and forgiveness towards us. Because God will never cease to love or forgive us, we are able to look honestly at ourselves and our lives, examine the mistakes we have made and the things that need change and improvement, and ask for God's help in bringing about that change. This is the true meaning of "repentance." 
 
This hard work of repentance and reconciliation must be grounded in love rather than fear.  The love and forgiveness that God gives to us enables us to do the work of love, reconciliation, and forgiveness with one another.  Because of its significance in our life together, the sacrament of confession is a part of our worship.  This is called the "general confession" because it is done by everyone together in public worship.  The Episcopal Church does offer private confession for anyone who seeks it or needs it, but private confession is not required for participation in the life of the Church or to receive other sacraments. 

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Church of the Good Shepherd

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May 13, 2008