Monday, January 28, 2008

Sunday Prayers - February 3, 2008 - Ordinary/ Epiphany 4

Approaching God

Announcements & A Word of Welcome
Prelude, Gathering


First Hymn:

Prayers of Confession

Guide: Almighty God, whose kingdom is boundless and whose authority can never be diminished, we come before Your Holy Throne to worship and adore Your ways; to honor and glorify Your deeds; to revere and esteem Your sacred words. You have called us to this place of peace and prayer. You have brought us to this sanctuary for strength and salvation, so that we may praise Your Holy Name and become renewed through Your wonderful love.

People: Gracious Lord, at times we spoil our faith through selfish and dishonest ways. There are moments in our lives when we scorn Your sacred guidance and reject Your Holy commands. Forgive our foolish sins and redeem us from our random acts of unkindness, bitterness, indifference and intolerance. Pardon our neglect of caring for others; of forgiving our debtors; of ignoring those who need our help. Hear us now as we silently and sincerely confess our sins, our faults, our everyday mistakes.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Merciful Father, lead us to Jesus Christ Your Holy Son and help us to follow His faithful ways. For we ask all this in His Sacred Name and through His own words we pray, saying,

People: "Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD'S PRAYER” debts/debtors

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide: Jesus heals us of our sinful past and spiritual blindness. He sends us out into the world as defenders of the faith and witnesses of His glory. We are forgiven by the power in His precious blood. Through His everlasting grace, we are restored to God’s favor. In Christ’s Name, we rejoice and pray. Amen.

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

Minute for Mission: Loaves and Fishes

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: Be merciful to us, O God, for worries constantly burden us; each day we experience stress and pressure. O Lord, when we are anxious or afraid, we will trust in You.
People: O God, whose words we praise, take away our fears and grant us peace of mind. We place our lives, our loved ones, our prayers and concerns into Your healing hands.

Pastor: We pledge ourselves to Your Kingdom and humbly ask that You will heal us, and all whom we pray for, from all that harms us in body, mind, soul and spirit. Deliver us from despair and keep us from falling into fear or frustration. Hear us as we sincerely pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

People: May we walk before the Lord in the light of life and His love. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.
(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 56)

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

Prayer of Illumination: Reader: Holy Spirit, teach us God’s everlasting truth from the words and deeds of Jesus. Enable us, through the reading and hearing of today’s scriptures, to recognize and proclaim Christ as the Righteous One sent from God. In His Sacred Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings & Sermon & The Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication:
Lord Jesus, challenge and change our natures so that we may gladly give to You from our resources and wealth. Receive our tithes and gifts from the bounty of the blessings that You bestow upon us. Take them for the work of Your Church and the spreading of the Gospel. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Communion

Closing Hymn:

Benediction: (in unison) May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace as we trust in Him, so that we may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, One God forevermore. Amen.

Doxology

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Sunday prayers - Ordinary 3 - 27 Jan 08

Approaching God

Welcome & Church Announcements

Prelude & Gathering

Call to worship (based on Psalm 26)
Leader: Let us trust in the LORD without wavering;
People: For His love is ever before us and we walk in His truth.
All: In this holy assembly of God’s people, we will rejoice and praise the LORD!

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer
Guide: Almighty and Holy Lord, Sacred and Perfect Creator, we joyfully walk in the ways of Your laws and cheerfully give ourselves to Your Kingdom..
People: Powerful Protector and Gracious God, in this holy place of purpose and prayer, we wait for You; at this precious time of peace and praise, we seek Your blessing.

Guide: Eternal Father, even though Your Name is renowned throughout the universe and Your power is revered across the cosmos, we still foolishly sin, and we still selfishly err.
People: Compassionate Lord, forgive our corrupt and careless ways; pardon our mistakes and misdeeds; have mercy upon us when we fall into temptation and succumb to evil. Hear us now as we silently confess our faults to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Immortal God, let Jesus become the desire of our hearts so that our decisions may honor Him. Without His grace, we are godless; without His sacrifice, our lives are squandered.
People: Humbly, we adore You for sending Jesus into our world and through His own precious words, we untie ourselves in prayer, saying, “Our Father, etc.

Promise of the Gospel

Guide: Even though we may grumble and groan about life, we would never choose to offend or affront Jesus. He is our Wonderful Counselor, Merciful Healer and Prince of our Peace. He restores us to God’s favor and we are recovered for His ministry and mission. So let us rejoice and be glad, for on this day and at this time, all our sins are forgiven and we are reunited with God, both now and forever. In Christ’s Name. Amen.

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 Lord, You are the foundation of our lives, so we pray to You for love and favor.
People: Enter into our hearts and minds; come into our spirits and souls; heal us of all that harms us.

Leader: We have heard glorious things spoken of You, Holy God. Grant us Your goodness and grace.
People: We acknowledge and adore Your power, Loving Lord; affirm our faith and accept our prayers.

Leader: Gracious Father, establish Your strength amongst our loved ones. Free them from fear and save them from sickness.
People: Let Your healing ways overcome their weakness; let Your perfect peace vanquish their pain. Hear us now as we personally and sincerely pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Leader: We will rejoice in the greatness of the Lord; may His blessings restore our hopes and refresh our weary souls. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 87)

Prayer for Illumination:
Reader: Holy Spirit, enable us to see the work of God in our lives. Through these sacred scriptures, open our hearts and minds to Christ’s teaching. Challenge us by the things He says; change us through the things that Jesus does. In His Holy Name, we read and pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings & Sermon & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory:

Dedication: Lord Jesus, we have followed Your way of love and we eagerly await Your blessing. You have showered us with spiritual gifts and helped us to find meaning, purpose and hope in our lives. Take these monetary gifts and bless them for the continuing work of Your ministry in this church, throughout this community and across our country and the entire world. In Your Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Hymn:


Benediction: May Christ clothe us with His compassion and love; may the Father free us from temptation and despair; and may the Holy Spirit keep us focused on the wisdom, words and ways of the One, Triune & Living God, now and forevermore. Amen.

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

Elders' ordination service 01-27-08

(Elders are being ordained and instaled at our church this Sunday)

Approaching God

Announcements & A Word of Welcome
Prelude, Gathering & Introit

Call to Worship
Leader: We trust in Jesus Christ our Savior, and acknowledge Him as Lord of all and the Head of the Church.
People: Through Him, we believe in one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Leader: Then let us worship together the One, Triune and Everlasting God.

First Hymn:

Prayers of Confession

Guide: Eternal God, whose sacred words and almighty ways are revealed to us in the Old and New Testaments, we gather before You as covenanted members of the Church universal.
People: Lord of Life, whose ancient wisdom and gospel teachings uniquely witness to Christ’s authority over all creation, we humbly bow before Your holy throne.

Guide: Gracious God, although we have received many traditions from the Reformed faith and have expressed our beliefs through the confessions of the church, we admit to leading lives that are sometimes inauthentic and unreliable.
People: Loving Lord, we have frequently disregarded Your instructions and have been constantly misled by our vanity. We have deliberately chosen selfish ways, instead of being Your caring people. Hear us now as we personally confess our sins to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Compassionate Creator, Your Word ministers to us through promises of forgiveness and acts of reconciliation. By the obedience of Jesus Christ, we are sacramentally redeemed and graciously restored to Your everlasting favor.
People: We are guided to make these confessions in Christ's Name, and we willingly place ourselves under His continual authority. Together, in Christ’s words, we now pray, "Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD"S PRAYER"

Promise of the Gospel:
Guide: Christ governs our souls and disciples us through His abiding Church. He forgives our sins and returns us to God’s friendship and love. He works amongst us, in ministry and mission, through compassion and caring, to subject us to God’s Word and reconcile us to His Spirit. So let us rejoice and be glad for Christ is our Savior, Redeemer and Lord. Amen.

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.

Children's sermon

Encountering God

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing
Leader: O Lord, we seek to faithfully follow You and lovingly help our neighbors.
People: We prayerfully ask for health and healing, reconciliation and recovery for all who are sick and suffering, injured or ill, depressed or diseased in the world.

Leader: We pray for peace of mind to those who are wearied by anxiety and burdened with troubles.
People: We pray for unity of heart, mind, body and soul of those who are stressed and stretched beyond their limits, who are burned out and bruised by separation, isolation, and deprivation.

Leader: We pray for purity and strength, restoration and dignity to those who are afflicted by addiction, despair and misery.
People: Hear our prayers, O Lord and grant us healing, holiness, and wholeness. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit.

Leader: May the Lord work through His church and the prayers of His people. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

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

Prayer of Illumination: Reader: Holy Spirit, fill our minds, hearts and souls with energy, intelligence, imagination and love as we read these sacred scriptures. May God’s Word inspire, captivate, challenge and change us. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings & Sermon & The Apostles' Creed

Ordination and Installation of Elders

Serving God
Offering & Offertory


Dedication:
Lord Jesus, You have faithfully ministered to us through the proclamation of good news and the teaching of God’s Word. You have cared for our people and in response, we gather before You our tithes and gifts. Receive and bless them for the continuing life, work, and mission of Your Church here on earth. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May we be active as Christ’s disciples in the world today; may we serve the Father by faithfully working in His church; and may the Holy Spirit keep us showing the love and justice of the One, Triune and Living God to all whom we meet, both now and forever. Amen.

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

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Sunday prayers: Epihany 2/ Ordinary 2 - Jan 20, 2008

Approaching God

Welcome, Announcements & Verse of the Day

Prelude, Gathering & First Hymn

Prayer of Approach

Guide: Almighty and Eternal God, in whose holy presence we live, and for whose predestined purposes we are sustained, accept the prayers and praises we make from our lips and hearts. To You alone, we dedicate this time of worship and exaltation. In You alone, we place all our faith, hope, and love.
People: Gracious Lord, we confess that there are times when we make bad choices, which separate us from You. There are moments in our lives when we are stubborn and disobedient, proud and resentful, prejudiced and bitter. Forgive our self-centered and faithless ways. Hear us now as we silently make our confessions.

- SILENCE –

Guide: Loving Father, You have given us Jesus as the Way to forgiveness, the Truth of salvation, and the Life which leads us to restoration. In Him, through Him, and by Him, we are saved and renewed, pardoned and reunited to You forever. In Christ’s words, we lift up our prayers, saying:
People: Our Father, who art in heaven….. (The Lord’s Prayer – debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel
Guide: Christ obeyed God completely throughout His life. As God’s Perfect and Holy Son, He made the supreme and sacred sacrifice that paid for all of our sins. In Jesus, we have the One, True and Living Savior, who sets us free from our past mistakes and restores us to God forevermore. Amen.

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)

Anthem

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: O Lord, when we are afraid or our faith is weak, help us to look to Your promises. You are our refuge and our shield; we place our hopes in Your word alone.
People: Cast out our doubts and fears. Help us to remain focused on Your power. Sustain us with Your almighty strength; do not let our hopes be dashed.

Pastor: Keep our thoughts from being distracted by our fears. Help us to follow You in faith. Heal us, and all our loved ones, from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul. Hear us now as we quietly and sincerely pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

People: Lord, we remain in Your loving presence. We stand in awe of Your amazing love and healing power. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.
(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 119:Samekh)

Prayer for Illumination:
Reader: Holy Spirit, enable us to receive the message and purpose of these scriptures. Keep us from trivializing the truth. Open our hearts and minds to all that Christ gives us through His actions and words. In His Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings, Sermon & the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory:

Dedication: Lord Jesus, through the power of the Gospel, we are brought closer to You. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we are given the priceless gift of salvation. Gladly and cheerfully, we bring to You our tithes and gifts as a thanksgiving offering. Take and receive them for Your continuing work in this church and throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Hymn:

Benediction (in unison): May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace as we trust in Him, so that we may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; One God forevermore. Amen.


Doxology & Postlude

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Sunday Prayers: Epihany 1 - 13 Jan, 2008

Approaching God

Welcome, Announcements & Verse of the Day

Prelude, Gathering & First Hymn

Prayer of Approach

Guide: Sacred God, whose power formed the universe and whose creativity made our world, we gather in this place of peace and praise to honor and glorify Your wonderful Name. For generations our people have been blessed by Your loving deeds and mighty acts. Your words and works continue to amaze and inspire us throughout the ages and across the nations.

People: Heavenly Father, we are humbled by Your blessings, for we recognize that we are unworthy of Your grace. You are righteous and we are sinful. You are mighty and truthful; we are weak and deceitful. Forgive us, Lord, for allowing pride, greed, and anger to blemish our hearts and souls. Too often we are shallow and selfish, faithless and false, hurtful and unholy. Hear us now as we personally ask forgiveness of You.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Loving Lord, we thank You for Jesus who cleanses our past mistakes and restores us to Your favor. His mercy takes away our sins and allows us to become trusted servants of Your Kingdom. We are eternally indebted to Christ and we unite our spirits with Him through the saying of His words:

People: Our Father, who art in heaven….. (The Lord’s Prayer – debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel
Guide: Jesus never said that believing in Him would be easy. He asks us to follow His ways and apply His words to our daily lives. When we fail to live up to His teaching, He is willing to forgive us if we choose to sincerely confess our faults to Him. So let us rejoice and be thankful that Christ is Our Savior, Lord, and God, both now and evermore. Amen.

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)

Anthem

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: Hear, O LORD, and answer us, for we are poor in spirit and in need of Your care. Guard our lives and protect us from illness, for we are devoted to You and Your ways.

People: Have mercy upon us, O Lord, for we call to You this day for health and healing. Bring comfort to us, O Lord, for to You alone we lift up our prayers and healing petitions.

Pastor: You are compassionate and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to You. Hear our prayers, O God and listen to our cries for help. Heal us and each of our loved ones from all that harms us in body, mind, heart and spirit.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

People: In the day of our trouble we will call to You, O Lord, for You will answer us. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen. (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 86)

Prayer for Illumination:
Reader: Holy Spirit, encourage us through these sacred scriptures and open our hearts to receive God’s word. Astonish us with this teaching and enable us to take note of all that God fulfills in the life of Christ. In Jesus’ Name, we read and pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings, Sermon & the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory:
Dedication: Lord Jesus, we can never repay You for the eternal blessings of salvation. We gather before You our gifts and tithes as a thanksgiving offering for the faith we share. Bless these tokens and give us guidance to use these gifts for the preaching of the gospel, the sharing of Your love, and the praising of our God. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Hymn:

Benediction (in unison): May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace as we trust in Him, so that we may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; One God forevermore. Amen.


Doxology & Postlude

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Sunday prayers: Epiphany Jan 06, 2008

Approaching God

Welcome, Announcements & Verse of the Day

Prelude, Gathering & First Hymn

Prayer of Approach

Guide: Almighty Lord, our world is sustained by Your strength and the universe around us displays Your unequaled power of creation. We are creatures of Your kingdom and servants of Your Son. You have called us to worship Your ways and glorify Your everlasting name. We are humbled by Your majesty and elated with Your love.

People: Gracious Father, we admit to being sinful and selfish. We confess to making mistakes and hurting other people. We have allowed our pride to justify our misdeeds and neglected to seek Your pardon. We have excused our thoughtless words and ignored our faithless ways. We seek forgiveness and ask for Your mercy. We pray for pardon as we silently confess our faults to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Everlasting God, we know that our sins can only be forgiven through the precious blood of Jesus Christ. We place our lives into His hands and look to Him to restore us to Your favor. We gather as a church in Christ’s name and we untie our spirits to Him through the saying of Christ’s precious words:-

People: (The Lord’s Prayer – debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide: Jesus is our One and Only Savior. When we repent of our sins and confess them to Christ, he redeems us by His blood and restores us to God’s love. In Him, we are totally forgiven and completely accepted by God. Let us rejoice and declare our allegiance to Jesus, both now and evermore. Amen.

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)

Anthem

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: O Lord, grant us Your favor and restore our health through Your holy power. Alleviate our fears and delete our doubts; strengthen our broken bodies and heal our anxious minds

People: Lift up our hearts, O God and help us to experience Your peace within our hearts. Allow our families and friends to know of Your unfailing love and tender mercy.

Pastor: Loving Father, speed our recovery through Your favorable grace. Grant health and healing to our bodies, minds, hearts and souls. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor: May the LORD indeed give what is good, so that our lives experience healing and strength. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.
(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 85)

Singing of "Jesus, Draw Me Close."

Prayer for Illumination:

Reader: Holy Spirit, we look to You to provide us with counsel and guidance. As we read and hear God’s holy words, help us to accept and apply them each day of our lives. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings, Sermon & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory:

Dedication (in unison): Lord Jesus, as we begin another year, give us devoted hearts and generous natures. Help us to gladly give from our resources the tithes and gifts that You need for our church. Take them and bless them for the preaching of the Gospel, the spreading of God’s word, and the praising of Your Name. Amen.

Communion

Hymn:

Benediction (in unison): May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace as we trust in Him, so that we may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; One God forevermore. Amen.


Doxology & Postlude