Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Sunday prayers - 2nd Sunday of Easter - 30 March, 2008

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements
Prelude & Gathering

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer
Guide: Lord of all the earth and King of every nation, we applaud Your glorious deeds and exalt Your Name above all others. Your power has been praised by every generation. You have enhanced the earth with hope and faith.

People: Glorious God of the Universe, we seek to serve You in this sacred sanctuary; we look to praise and honor You with our hearts and lives. Merciful Father, You know everything about us. You have seen us sin and have watched us yield to temptation. We crave Your forgiveness of all our faults and we plead for pardon of our past mistakes. Hear us now as we silently confess to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Gracious Lord, Your Sovereignty extends over all our lives. You are above and beyond all that we can ever experience or know. Without Your mercy, our lives are meaningless. Without Your Son, we have no salvation.

People: We make these petitions in the Name of Jesus, the Holy One, whose sacrifice takes away our sins. In His own words, we now pray, saying, “Our Father, …THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel
Guide: We can only go to Jesus for forgiveness, for He alone has the authority to restore us to God; He alone has the words of eternal life. So let us rejoice and be glad, for Jesus is our Savior and Lord forever. 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

Choir Anthem

Minute for Mission

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: O LORD, You teach us lessons of faith in times of trouble. Hear us now as we pray and grant us relief from sickness and suffering. Help us to hold on to hope and take courage in Your promises.

People: In the face of fear, never forsake us. In times of isolation, be our Comforter. Help us and heal us, O Lord. Strengthen and support us, console our spirits and lighten our burdens.

Pastor: Loving Lord, when we are overcome with worry or weariness, grant us peace of mind and rest for our souls. When we are anxious about our families and friends, bestow upon them wholeness and healing that will generate joy and faith in their lives. Hear us now as we pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit

All: The LORD is our fortress of faith and the Rock, in whom we take refuge. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 94)

Singing of ‘Jesus Draw Me Close’

Prayer for Illumination:
Reader: Holy Spirit, may we continue to praise God for all that happens in these scriptures. May these stories and events draw us closer to His ways and enable us to share our faith with other people. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Scripture Readings & Sermon & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory:
Dedication: (in unison) Lord Jesus, You have clearly called us to be here today. We have learned of Your ways and studied God's Word. Bless these offerings and tithes, as we dedicate them to Your continuing work in this world. May our gifts enhance Your mission to spread the Gospel throughout our community, and all over the earth. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Hymn:

Benediction: (in unison) May Christ enable us to live each day for Him alone; may the Father free us from fear and keep us in His constant care; and may the Holy Spirit strengthen our faith, so that we may belong to the One, Triune and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

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

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Good Friday Worship Service

Good Friday Service – Friday 21 March, 2008

Prelude

Invitation to the Lord’s Supper

Pastor: Lord God, we come into Your Sacred Presence and ask for the blessing of Your Holy Spirit. As we remember the sacrifice of Your Holy Son Jesus Christ, grant us mercy, peace, and love.
People: Bless the bread and wine that we place before You. Make it holy to us and sanctify our hearts and minds, bodies and souls.
Pastor: On this terrible night, forgive our sins and free our souls. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Words of Institution

Communion by intinction

Reading: Mark 15: 1-8

Hymn : 100 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

Reading: Mark 15: 9-15

Prayer: Confessional Litany

Pastor: Lord of Creation, we come to You as a people in need of mercy and grace, acceptance and absolution. We know that we have sinned against You and offended others with our thoughtless words and misdeeds.
People: Forgive our sins, O Lord, as we forgive those who have offended and hurt us.

Pastor: Lord of the Cross, we have nailed You with our sins and damaged You with our mistakes. We have bruised You with our lack of love, and have battered Your weary body with our unholy ways.
People: Cleanse our past mistakes and rid our souls of our regrets.

Pastor: Savior of the World, we are guilty of many sins. We have cheapened Your grace by taking You for granted. We have dishonored Your Name by diminishing Your influence over our decisions. We have set You aside to pursue our own selfish desires. We have crucified Your church by constantly neglecting our faith and failing to worship You.
People: O Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.

Pastor: Sacred Jesus and Sacrificial Lamb of God, we are unworthy of Your compassion and undeserving of Your grace. We are depraved sinners in need of salvation. We are selfish and fallen creatures in need of redemption
People: Crucified Christ, lead us away from temptation and deliver us from evil.

All: For Thine is the Kingdom, the glory, and the power, forever. Amen.

Reading: Mark 15: 16-24

Anthem The Old Rugged Cross

Reading: Mark 15: 25-34

Hymn: 92: Beneath the Cross of Jesus

Reading: Mark 15: 35-41

Homily Atonement

Reading: Mark 15: 42-47

Hymn: 102 Were You There? (last verse unaccompanied)

People quietly leave the sanctuary

Monday, March 17, 2008

Sunday prayers for Easter Day 23 March

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements
Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed!

Prelude & Gathering

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer
Guide: Almighty and Everlasting King, Most Merciful and Majestic God, we gather in this place of peace and praise, of joy and jubilation, as one family of faith, one church of Christ. On this day we celebrate the victory of Your Son Jesus Christ. We proclaim His power over all of our lives; His authority to forgive our mistakes; His ability to change our lives.

People: Gracious Lord, we know that we have been foolish, selfish and sinful at times. We recognize that we have made mistakes, bad choices and faithless decisions. We are sorry for those moments when temptation has caused us to get angry, be bitter, remain proud and be insensitive to those around us. Hear us now as we confess our faults and silently pray.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Eternal Lord, on this Easter day, we claim the victory of Christ over sin and death. His sacrifice has cleared our mistakes. His grace can renew and bring rebirth to our lives.

People: We make these personal petitions and prayers in the Name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray, saying, “Our Father, …” THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel
Guide: Christ chooses us to become His disciples, yet He has to deal with our sinful nature and human failings. He has overcome both death and sin, so our souls can be resurrected to a new beginning. Let us rejoice and give thanks, for Christ has blessed us with an everlasting hope and He has saved our lives forever. 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

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: Let us praise the LORD with new hearts; let us rejoice with all the earth and glorify His Name. Each day, we will proclaim the Lord's salvation; each week, we will come to Him with our praises.
People: The Lord has done marvelous deeds among His people, therefore let us ask Him to heal our lives. O LORD, You are great and most worthy of our worship; You are above and beyond all that we know.

Pastor: O LORD, You made the heavens and sustain the nations; be merciful to us and grant us healing from all that harms us in body, mind, heart and soul. Gracious God, there is power and strength in this sanctuary; listen to our prayers and attend to the needs of our loved ones who are ill, distressed, worried or depressed.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit

All: We will worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness. We will give thanks throughout this day. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.
(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 96)

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw Me Close’

Prayer for Illumination:
Reader: Holy Spirit, release us from our fears and restore us to God's heart. Open our minds to this glorious message of hope, so that we may gladly receive Christ as our King and report His words to all our people. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Scripture Readings & Sermon & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God
Offering & Offertory:
Dedication: Lord Jesus, through the act of cheerful and thankful giving, we offer You these tokens. Bless them for Your wonderful ways that have changed the world forever. Enable us also, to rededicate our lives this day, in the holy service of Your Kingdom. Both now and forever. Amen.

Hymn

Benediction: ( in unison) May Christ resurrect our faith by becoming Lord of our lives; may we know the Father's compassion and grace throughout our days; and may the Holy Spirit keep us glorifying and worshipping the One, Triune God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Sunday prayers Palm Sunday Mar 16

Approaching God

Welcome & announcements
Prelude & Gathering

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer
Guide: Lord of Life and Creator of the Universe, we proclaim You as our One, True and Holy God. We seek to serve You as Your called and chosen people.
People: Everlasting King and Eternal God, we adore Your wonderful ways and are constantly amazed by Your powerful deeds.

Guide: Heavenly Father, we want to please You and follow Your ways. However, we allow pride and bitterness, prejudice and anger to hurt other people, to have our own way, and to fulfill our selfish desires.
People: Gracious Lord, when we fall into temptation, we separate ourselves from Your Love and deaden our spirits to Your commands. Forgive us for rejecting Your words and damaging our faith by our unloving, unholy and un-Christian actions. Hear us now as we humbly confess our sins to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Merciful God, You have the power to judge and punish us for our sins. Instead, You graciously give us Your Son Jesus to die for our failures, faults and fallen ways. By His wounds, we are healed. By His sacrifice, we are forgiven and restored
People: We bring these prayers in Christ’s Name and through His own words, we unite our hearts with Him, saying, “Our Father, etc.”

Promise of the Gospel
Guide: Jesus saves us from sinful destruction and the eternal wrath of God. He wants us to choose life over death, faith over fear and obedience over defiance. When we sincerely come to Him for forgiveness, he grants us mercy and grace. Let us rejoice and be glad, for Jesus our Savior rescues us forever. Amen. (John 6:67)

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

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty and is armed with strength. God establishes our world and sustains our lives.
People: Eternal God, we are finite and frail, in need of help, healing and wholeness. We lift up our voices of prayer to You, from our fearful hearts and troubled minds.
Pastor: Mighty Redeemer, have mercy upon us and heal us of all that harms us in body, mind, heart and spirit. We also bring to You our families and friends, colleagues and neighbors who need Your Loving touch and holy healing. Hear us now as we pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit

All: The LORD is merciful and holy; just and faithful. He hears our prayers in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 93)

Singing of ‘Jesus Draw Me Close’

Prayer for Illumination:
Reader: Holy Spirit, help us to see what Christ is doing amongst us. Enable us to hear His words from these holy passages. Teach us His ways so that we may tell others of His ministry, mission and kingdom. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Scripture Readings & Sermon & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory:
Dedication: Lord Jesus, we have worshipped You in song and praised You with our music. We have gathered our tithes and offerings and placed them before Your throne. Take these tokens and bless them, so that we may bring life to Your words by ministering to our congregation, across our community and throughout this country. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Hymn:

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

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Sunday Prayers: Lent 5 March 09

Approaching God
Welcome & Church Announcements Prelude & Gathering

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer
Guide: Lord of Life and Creator of the Universe, we proclaim You as our One, true and Holy God. We serve You as Your called and chosen people.
People: Everlasting King and Eternal God, we adore Your wonderful ways and are constantly amazed by Your powerful deeds.
Guide: Heavenly Father, we seek to please Your heart and follow Your will. Yet we allow pride and bitterness, prejudice and anger to hurt other people, to have our own way, to fulfill our selfish desires.
People: Gracious Lord, when we fall into temptation, we separate ourselves from Your Love and deaden our spirits to Your commands. Forgive us for rejecting Your words and damaging our faith by our unloving, unholy and un-Christian actions. Hear us now as we humbly confess our sins to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Merciful God, You have the power to wipe out our dreams and punish our sins. Instead, You graciously give us Your Son Jesus to die for our failures, faults and fallen ways. By His wounds, we are healed. By His sacrifice, we are forgiven and restored
People: We bring these prayers in Christ’s Name and through His own words, we unite our hearts with Him, saying, “Our Father, etc.” (Isaiah 26v14)

Promise of the Gospel
Guide: Jesus saves us from sinful destruction and the eternal wrath of God. He wants us to choose life over death, faith over fear and obedience over defiance. When we sincerely come to Him for forgiveness, he grants us mercy and grace. Let us rejoice and be glad, for Jesus our Savior rescues us forever. Amen. (John 6:67)

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
Choir Anthem
Prayers for Health and Healing

Leader: The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty and is armed with strength.
People: God establishes our world and sustains our lives.
Leader: Eternal God, we are finite and frail, in need of help, healing and wholeness.
People: We lift up our voices of prayer to You, from our pounding hearts and troubled minds.
Leader: Mighty Redeemer, have mercy upon us and heal us of all that harms us in body, mind, heart and spirit.
People: Gracious God, we also bring to You our families and friends, colleagues and neighbors who need Your Loving touch and holy healing. Hear us now as we pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit
Leader: The LORD is merciful and holy; just and faithful. He hears our prayers in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 93)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary’

Prayer for Illumination:
Reader: Holy Spirit, help us to see what Christ is doing amongst us. Enable us to hear His words from these holy passages. Teach us His ways so that we may tell others of His ministry, mission and kingdom. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. (Acts 4:20)

Scripture Readings & Sermon & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God
Offering & Offertory:
Dedication: Lord Jesus, we have worshipped You in song and praised You with our music. We have gathered our tithes and offerings and placed them before Your throne. Take these lifeless tokens and bless them, so that we may bring life to Your words by ministering in our congregation, across our community and throughout this country. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. (1 Corinthians 14:7)

Hymn:
Benediction: May Christ remind us that our lives are not our own, but chiefly belong to Him; may the father bestow His favor upon all that we do; and may the Holy Spirit reside in our hearts so that we may die to sin and live for faith in the One, triune and Living God, both now and always. Amen. (Romans 14:7)

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