Friday, August 22, 2008

Sunday Prayers: 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time - 24 Aug

Approaching God

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Prelude & Gathering Song

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer
Guide: Almighty God, whose kingdom never ends and whose sovereignty is limitless, we praise Your wonderful works and glorify Your godly ways. When our spirits are downcast and we are weary, You refresh our souls and grant us strength. When our hopes diminish and our beliefs falter, restore us to Your love and favor.
People: Gracious Father, sometimes we lack understanding of our faith and the responsibilities You expect us to fulfill. Sometimes we focus too much on ourselves and forget the needs of other people. We are sorry for those moments and seek Your mercy. Enable us now to turn to You, to silently confess our sins and wait upon Your grace.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Everlasting God, without Jesus, we are nothing. Without His Death, we have no life. Without His forgiveness, we have no future. In Him, we are shielded from Your wrath and through Him, we are restored to Your blessed love.
People: Our confessions are made in the precious and Holy Name of Christ Jesus, our Lord, in whose words we now pray, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide: Jesus comes amongst us to teach us His truth, to win us with His words, and to liberate us through His glorious life. We have sincerely confessed our mistakes to Him, so we are now wonderfully and completely forgiven. Let us rejoice and be glad, for Christ is our King and Everlasting Savior. 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

Pastor: Let us revere the LORD and delight in His healing power. God is mighty throughout the earth and we are blessed by His compassion.
People: The LORD enriches our lives with His resources; His righteousness endures forever. In the midst of our troubles, God is gracious and supportive. In our time of fear, He is faithful.
Pastor: May the goodness of the Lord come to us; may He free us from all that harms our bodies, minds, hearts and souls. May God strengthen our loved ones and heal them. May the Holy Spirit bring them peace of mind, renew their hopes and restore their health.

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

Pastor: May our hearts be steadfast, as we trust in the Lord and make our prayers in Jesus' Name. Amen.
(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 112)

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw Me Close’

Prayer for Illumination:

Reader: Holy Spirit, You enrich our lives so that we may share our faith with other people. Bless us with these sacred words and enable us to apply them in a practical, effective and positive way. In the glorious name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings & Sermon & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication:

Lord Jesus, by Your words, we are shown how to live our lives. Through our deeds, we express to the world how much we believe in You. You call upon us to give of our time, talents and treasures to the ministries and missions that our church is expected to fulfill. Bless our tithes and offerings, which are symbols of our dedication and devotion to You. Enable us to be faithful servants and Christian witnesses in our congregation and community. In Your Holy name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction: May Christ enable us to please our neighbors with faith and love; may the Father continually call us to be kind and good to the people we encounter each day; and may the Holy Spirit grant us the resources and strength to enhance and build up the faith in all whom we love and all whom we know. To the glory of the One, Triune and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

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