Monday, May 21, 2007

Sunday prayers - May 27, 2007

Approaching God

Announcements & A Word of Welcome
Prelude, Gathering & Introit

Acclamation (based on words from Psalm 88)

Leader: O LORD, the God who saves us, we call upon You and praise Your Almighty Name.
People: May our prayers and praises come before You. May You delight in all that we sing and say.
Leader: We will worship and glorify God. Let us wait upon His presence and honor His power.

First Hymn:

Prayers of Confession

Guide: Almighty Father, whose sacred Word brought this universe into being, and whose divine Will sustains all life, we approach You as humble servants and children, as disciples and followers of Christ.
People: Everlasting God, whose ways are never thwarted, and whose works signify Your immortal greatness, we applaud Your plan of salvation, we exalt You above all others.

Guide: Gracious Father, before we knew You, we were enemies of Your kingdom, and rebelled against Your Son. We have been reckless with our faith, and wasteful with our lives. We constantly surrender to temptation and give way to our fears.
People: Merciful Lord, save us from our sinful and selfish ways. Keep us from damaging our souls and contaminating our spirits. Help us to ask for forgiveness and to seek Your grace. Hear us now as we silently confess to You.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Heavenly Father, without Jesus as our Savior, we would be cast away from your loving presence forever. Without His sacrifice, we would have no opportunity to be forgiven nor restored to Your everlasting kingdom.
People: Thank You for giving Jesus to us, and for the gift of the Holy Spirit, who guides and counsels us. We make these prayers in Christ's Name and through His own words continue to pray, saying, "Our Father, etc." (Isaiah 29:5)


Promise of the Gospel

Guide: Jesus challenged the people, rulers, and leaders of His day to repent of their sins and be restored to God. Today, we face the same challenges from Christ. We have humbly confessed our sins and sought His mercy. Let us rejoice and be glad, for Jesus is our Savior and we are accepted by God..
(John 7: 48)

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)

2nd Hymn

Encountering God

Choir Anthem


Prayers for Health and Healing

Leader: We revere the Lord and seek His blessings; we come into His presence and abide in Him.
People: May the Lord grant us health and healing, strength and support. May the fruits of our prayers enhance our faith and increase our devotion to Him.

Leader: May our loved ones and siblings, our families and friends receive help and power, energy and resolve to overcome their illnesses and anxieties, their troubles and worries.
People: O Lord, we seek peace for our souls, health for our hearts, and strength for our minds.

Leader: Gracious God, have mercy upon as we ask for healing. May we experience Your Holy Spirit and be restored physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
People: Hear us now as we silently pray, for our loved ones and neighbors, our families and ourselves.
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Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit.
Leader: May the LORD favor us with His blessings of health and strength. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 128)

Singing of 'Sanctuary. (Choir leads this)

Prayer of Illumination: Reader: Holy Spirit, You inspired the disciples of long ago to spread Christ's Good News and to proclaim the victory of God's Kingdom over all the earth. Lift up our spirits in the same ways and rekindle our faith. In Christ's Name, we pray. Amen. (Acts 5:38)

Scripture Readings & Sermon & The Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication:

Lord Jesus, we have sang Your praises and received Your message. We have been empowered by Your Spirit and embraced by God. Take these gifts and tokens, tithes and offerings as our cheerful response to Your Word and our grateful thanks for Your Love. Bless them for the continuing work of the gospel, the glorifying of God's kingdom and the praising of Your Name. Amen. (1 Corinthians 14:15)


Closing Hymn:

Benediction: May Christ continue to welcome us into His flock; may the Father enhance our faith and friendships in Him; and may the Holy Spirit challenge and convert our ways, so that we may glorify, worship and serve the One Triune and Living God forevermore. Amen. (Romans 16:5)

Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; etc & Postlude

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