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 answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
People: O Lord, today we ask You to be with us, for whenever You are here, we are in paradise.
(Lighting of 2 Candles)
Pastor: Jesus, Lord of Life, Healer of the world, come by here this day and bless us. Amen.
First Hymn:
Prayers of Confession
Guide: Almighty Father, who preserves our land, our planet, and our people, we gather together to worship Your Name; we come before You as seekers of Your Truth and followers of Your Way.
People: Lord of All Being, who sustains Time and shapes History, we humbly bow in Your presence and we dearly worship Your glorious Name.
Guide: Gracious God, we confess to yielding to temptation; we acknowledge that our souls have been contaminated with pride and greed, lust and lucre.
People: Everlasting Father, we grieve all our sins, for they have offended You; we regret the mistakes we have made, the promises we have broken, and the hurts we have caused. Forgive our selfish and foolish ways. Hear us now as we silently ask for mercy.
- SILENCE -
Guide: Sovereign Lord, forgive us for the thorns of faithlessness that have wounded Your Son Jesus. Pardon us for the pain that our pride has caused Him, and for the scars that our sins have sustained upon Him.
People: For we know that without Jesus, we would have no everlasting joy; without His sacrifice, we would be punished forever. In His Name we confess and through His words, we continue to pray, saying "Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD'S PRAYER” debts/debtors (Isaiah 32:13)
Promise of the Gospel:
Guide: Christ opens our eyes to the severity of our sins. By giving His life for us, He shows us how seriously God deals with our selfish and deceitful mistakes. But He also opens the gates of eternal freedom to those who come to Him sincerely seeking forgiveness, peace, and love. By the power of His blood, we receive mercy and are restored to God’s favor. Therefore, in Christ’s Name, let us rejoice and pray. Amen.
(John 9:10)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: O God, do not reject our prayers or afflict us with pain. Make peace with us and restore us to Your love.
People: Our lives have been disturbed with disease and impounded with illness. Heal our broken bodies and mend our crushed spirits.
Leader: In times like these, we need Your blessing. Throughout our troubles, we need Your peace.
People: In the midst of our fears, be our strength. Help us and all our loved ones to recover strength, to regain health, and to renew our hope.
Leader: Save us from sickness and help us with Your infinite power. Deliver us from distress and despair, through the blessing of Your healing love.
People: Speak softly to our souls as we lift up our personal prayers for healing on behalf of ourselves and all our loved ones.
Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit
Leader: With God, we will regain our strength. He will vanquish our fears and uplift our hearts. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.
(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 60)
Singing of '"Jesus Draw Me Close." (Choir leads this)
Prayer of Illumination:
Reader: Holy Spirit, lift up our hearts and help us to see the real Jesus in the midst of these scriptures. Reveal to us His teaching for our lives, and help us to apply what we learn from Him today. In Christ’s Sacred Name, we pray. Amen. (Acts 7:55)
Scripture Readings & Sermon & The Apostles' Creed
Serving God
Offering & Offertory
Dedication: Lord Jesus, You take us from the dust of the earth and make us into eternal beings of God’s grace. We can never repay our debt to You, but as a means of showing our gratitude, we bring before You our tithes and gifts. Take this offering and bless it for the holy work of the Gospel. In Your precious Name, we give and pray. Amen. (1 Corinthians 15:48)
Communion
Closing Hymn:
Benediction: May Christ’s glory challenge and change our ways; may the Father’s incomparable love inspire and encourage our choices; and may the Holy Spirit lead us each day to worship and glorify the One, Triune and Living God, both now and forevermore. Amen. (2 Corinthians 3:10)
Doxology May God's Blessing & Postlude
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