Merciful God, You made us in Your image, with a mind to know You, a heart to love You, and a will to serve You. But our knowledge is imperfect, our love inconstant, our obedience incomplete. Day by day, we fail to grow into Your likeness. In Your tender love, forgive us through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

The words of the gospel for those who repent and believe:

I declare this sure promise: Remember these things, O Jacob, and Israel; for you are my servant; I formed you; you are my servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by me. I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you.  (Isaiah 44:21-22)