Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Sunday Prayers 25 Feb 2007

Approaching God

Announcements & A Word of WelcomePrelude, Gathering

Acclamation
Lighting of the Lent Menorah (Seven candles for the Last Seven words of Jesus)

Pastor: Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."
People: O Lord, forgive our foolish and ignorant ways; pardon our stupid and selfish sins.
(Lighting of Candle)
Pastor: Jesus, Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Amen.

First Hymn:

Prayers of Confession
Guide: Eternal Lord of Life, in whose sacred house we humbly pray, we revere Your Holy Name and adore Your mighty deeds.
People: Heavenly Father, whose blessings sustain our lives, we acknowledge Your authority over all creation and we seek to please You with our praise.

Guide: Merciful God, we confess to being sinful and selfish, proud and arrogant, evasive and deceitful. We all have sinned and fall short of Your glory.
People: Gracious Lord, we admit to faithless ways and foolish choices. We have hurt others with our words and misdeeds; we have disappointed You with our mistakes and decisions. Hear us now as we confess our sins and seek Your Son’s forgiveness.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Everlasting Majesty, You have given Jesus as our Savior and want us to look to Him for absolution. Only He can return us to Your pleasant ways; only He can make our spirits fruitful for Your Kingdom.
People: Our prayers are given in Christ’s Name and through His own holy words, we continue to pray, saying, "Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD'S PRAYER” debts/debtors
(Isaiah 32:12)

Promise of the Gospel:
Guide: Jesus claims us as His followers and disciples. We become His servants when we humble ourselves and submit to His authority. He has heard our confessions and has applied His grace. We are forgiven of our past and restored to God’s glorious future for our souls. In Christ’s Name, let us rejoice and pray. Amen. (John 9:9)

Gloria Patri: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.

Family Sermon (parents and all children, including Elementary school students come forward)

Encountering God

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Leader: Deliver us from our fears, O God; protect us from those things which deeply trouble us.
People: We are frail, O Lord, and vulnerable to attacks on our bodies, in our minds, within our hearts. Arise to help us; look upon our plight!
Leader: O LORD God Almighty, the God of our people, defend us from illness and disease; deliver us from sickness and pain.
People: Loving Lord, become our Strength; as we seek Your favor and blessing, be our Great Healer.
Leader: Go before us, O God, heal us and all our loved ones; restore our health and enable our loved ones to recover.
People: May we know of Your strength and praise You for all of Your love, for You are our fortress, our refuge in times of trouble.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Leader: O God, our Strength, we sing praises to You; O Lord, You are our stronghold, our loving God. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 59)

Singing of '"Jesus Draw Me Close." (Choir leads this)

Prayer of Illumination:
Reader: Holy Spirit, challenge our lives with these words of scriptures. Confront us with Christ’s words and reshape our lifestyle choices by enabling us to accept Jesus’ teaching. In His Holy Name, we pray. Amen. (Acts 7:54)

Scripture Readings & Sermon & The Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication: Lord Jesus, You were sent from heaven to redeem our lives. We can never repay the eternal debt that we owe You. We express our gratitude to You through the offering of our tithes and gifts. Take them and bless them for Your work in this church and throughout the community. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. (1 Corinthians 15:47)

Closing Hymn:

Benediction: May Christ keep us devoted to His work; may the father’s glory be reflected in our daily deeds; and may the Holy Spirit continue to direct and influence our lives, so that we may forever praise the One, Triune and Living God, both now and forevermore. Amen. (2 Corinthians 3:9)

Doxology May God's Blessing & Postlude

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