Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Sunday Prayer - April 01

Approaching God

Announcements & A Word of Welcome
Prelude, Gathering

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

Pastor: When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

People: O Loving Lord, You gave up Your life for us and finished Your Father's work of salvation. We are eternally indebted and entirely devoted to You, Our Sacred Savior.
(Lighting of 6 Candles)
Pastor: Jesus, Precious Lamb of God, slain for our souls and sacrificed for our sins, we praise You, both now and forever. Amen.

First Hymn:

Prayers of Confession
Guide: Almighty and Everlasting Father, on this day of praise and thanksgiving, pour out Your Spirit upon Your people, so that we may honor and glorify Your Holy Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
People: Sacred and Eternal Sovereign, we lift up our hands and hearts to ask for Your blessing and favor. We seek to please You with our words and prayers, our songs and devotions.

Guide: Most Merciful God, our lives are meant to be dedicated to You, but we have allowed ourselves to be distracted and disloyal. We have sinfully shunned Your commands and set aside Your ways.
People: Gracious Lord, we are guilty of diminishing our faith and neglecting our Christian service. We have ignored opportunities to be compassionate and caring. Instead of honoring Your words, we have glorified our own works. Instead of asking for pardon and forgiveness, we are full of pride and vanity. Hear us now as we make our confessions to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Loving Father, turn our lives around and challenge our ways. Grant us the mercies of Your Son. Help us to look to Him for guidance and forgiveness, for purpose and meaning in our lives.
People: For we make our confessions in Christ’s Name and seek to unite our spirits with Him, saying "Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD'S PRAYER” debts/debtors (Isaiah 32:15)

Promise of the Gospel
Guide: Where is Christ in our lives? Is He at the center of our existence? Does He influence our choices and decisions? Can other people see Him in our acts and deeds? He is the Savior of our souls, for He alone has the power and authority to forgive our sins and restore us to God’s loving-kindness. So, let us glorify and honor Christ as our King, both now and always. Amen.
(John 9:11)

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

Pastor: O Lord, You are our God and earnestly we seek You for health and healing.
People: Our souls thirst for Your righteousness; our bodies long for Your strength.
Pastor: Here, in this sacred sanctuary, we behold Your power and salvation.
People: Your Love, O Lord, is better than life itself; we will glorify You forevermore.
Pastor: Lord, we lift up our prayers and ask for Your grace. Help and heal us, and all our loved ones, from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul.
People: Satisfy our pleas with Your peaceful presence. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor: Because You are our help, O God, our souls cling to You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 63)

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

Prayer of Illumination:
Reader: Holy Spirit, help us to listen to Christ’s teaching through these sacred words. Keep us from being distracted by our thoughts and concerns. Grant us the ability to take these lessons and apply them to our daily lives. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen. (Acts 7:57)

Scripture Readings & Sermon & The Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory
Dedication: Lord Jesus, You give us the opportunity to inherit the kingdom of God. We can never repay the debt that we owe to You for our salvation. To show our gratitude, we offer our tithes and gifts. We pray that You will accept and bless them for the preaching of Your word, the work of Your church, and the saving of other souls. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. (1 Corinthians 15:50)

Communion

Closing Hymn:

Benediction: May Christ make us bold witnesses of God’s Kingdom in the world today; may the Father strengthen our hopes through His amazing love; and may the Holy Spirit continue to guide and teach us, so that we may honor and glorify the One, Triune and Living God, throughout our days on earth and forevermore. Amen. (2 Corinthians 3:12)

Doxology May God's Blessing & Postlude

No comments: