For four years as a  student I worshiped with the on-campus Lutheran congregation at my university. As a member of the Presbyterian church I designated myself as the local “Lutherterian,” a combination Presbyterian-Lutheran. My daughter has school off today as our Jewish brothers and sisters celebrate Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. As I was going to sleep I couldn’t help but hear the words of the Kyrie from the Lutheran Book of Worship. Such is the life (and sleep) of an ecumenist.

In peace let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.

For the peace from above and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.

For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the people of God,
and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.

For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.

Help, save, comfort, and defend us Gracious Lord.
Amen.

May the God of mercy, who forgives you all your sins, strengthen you in all goodness and by the power of the Spirit keep you to everlasting life. Amen.

To our Jewish friends, have a blessed Yom Kippur.

To our Christian brothers and sisters, remember the One Who Atones this day.

But the free gift is not like the trespass. For the if the many died through the one man’s trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many. – Romans 5:15