Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Sunday prayers for April 15

Approaching God
Announcements & A Word of Welcome
Prelude, Gathering

Acclamation (based on words from Psalm 141)
Pastor: Living Lord, we call to You; come quickly to us. Hear our voices as we cry out to You.
People: May our prayers and praises be acceptable to You, O God of our hearts.
Pastor: May the lifting up of our songs and spirits be pleasing to You, Almighty God. Amen.First

Hymn:

Prayers of Confession
Guide: High King of Heaven and Maker of the earth, we gather as stewards and servants, disciples and devotees of Your holy ways.
People: From the comfort of our homes, we have come to this sacred place to hear Your words and honor Your glorious Name.

Guide: Loving Lord, in the midst of our lives, there are moments of sin. Our days are full of good intentions, but our deeds display our faithless ways.
People: Merciful Father, instead of keeping Your commands, we make selfish choices. Instead of holding on to Your precious words, we hurt others with our bitter talk and personal grudges. Forgive us for pandering to our pride and nursing our wrath. Hear us now as we quietly confess our sins to You.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Living God, let Your justice prevail over our lives, and may Your Son’s mercy cleanse our souls. May His blood restore us to Your righteousness. May His sacrifice reclaim our lives for You.
People: For in Him, we are saved from Your wrath and with Christ, we are returned to Your favor. Hear us now as we pray, saying His sacred words...THE LORD'S PRAYER” debts/debtors
(Isaiah 32:16)

Promise of the Gospel
Guide: Christ brings us back into the loving courts of God and sheds us of our shame. He takes away our sins and renews our lives. We are no longer blinded by greed or held captive to sin. He releases us from our guilt and redeems us for God. Let us rejoice and glorify Him forevermore. Amen. (John 9:13)

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: Hear us, O God, as we voice our concerns; bring peace to our troubled souls.
People: Keep us safe from sickness; shelter us in the midst of all our worries.
Pastor: When we are beset with problems, and hard pressed with fear, be our strength and shield.
People: When life suddenly strikes us with grief and sorrow, carry and comfort us. O Lord.
Pastor: Encourage our hopes and heal our illnesses. Look after our loved ones and strengthen them in body, mind, heart, and soul.
People: Hear us now as we silently pray for ourselves and for all those who are in need of healing.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor: Let us rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in Him. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 64)

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

Prayer of Illumination:

Reader: Holy Spirit, gather our thoughts and help us to focus on Christ. Enable us to lay our spirits at His feet. Teach us life lessons through the power of these sacred scriptures. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.
(Acts 7:58)

Scripture Readings & Sermon & The Apostles' Creed

Serving God
Offering & Offertory

Dedication: Lord Jesus, You have mysteriously affected our lives and penetrated our souls. You have brought us to this holy house of prayer. We gather before You our tithes and gifts, and ask that You bless them for the work of this church and the glory of Your kingdom. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. (1 Corinthians 15:51)

Closing Hymn:

Benediction: May Christ shelter us from sin and shame; may the Father enlighten our souls and embrace us with His love; and may the Holy Spirit keep us faithfully focused on worshipping the One, Triune, and Living God. Both now and forever. Amen. (2 Corinthians 3:13)
Doxology May God's Blessing & Postlude

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