Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Sunday prayers: 18th Sunday in Ordinary - 2 August

Approaching God


Announcements & A Word of Welcome


Gathering & Prelude


Hymn:


Confessional Prayer

Guide: Lord God of hosts and Sacred Creator of humankind, we gather in this precious place to honor and magnify Your Holy Name. Your will sustains our lives and Your words strengthen our souls. We humbly come before You to offer our service and praise.

People: Eternal God, we know that we are guilty of contending with Your counsel; we confess that we are sometimes rebellious and resentful, indifferent and insensitive, sinful and selfish. We make war against Your Kingdom with our pride, lust, and greed. We fight against Your faithfulness with our stubborn ways and foolish choices. Hear us now, Gracious Father, as we silently admit our mistakes.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Loving Lord, we seek forgiveness through the blood of Jesus Christ, our Savior. We look for mercy by the wounds He received and the pain He endured. Without His Cross, we have no communion with You. Without His Sacrifice, we have no salvation. We give these prayers in the precious Name of Jesus, the Lamb of God and Savior of our souls and in His words, we further pray, saying, “Our Father,…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)


Promise of the Gospel

Guide: Many people watched for Jesus throughout His lifetime, in order to experience hope, faith, and love. We are the recipients of His blessings, for by His grace, we are forgiven and through His mercy, we are restored to 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)

Encountering God

Choir Anthem


Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: O Sovereign LORD, deal well with us for Your Name's sake; out of the goodness of Your love, deliver us. When we are poor in spirit and in much need of Your encouragement, heal the wounds of our hearts and grant us Your peace.


People: When our health is diminished and fear overtakes our minds, deliver us from being consumed by worry, stress, and exhaustion. When we buckle under pressure and lose strength in the midst of our troubles, help us to refocus our faith and look to You for healing.


Pastor: Heavenly Father, when others around us are in need of help, be their salvation. When our loved ones suffer illness or injury, insecurity or anxiety, grant them healing and wholeness, protection, and peace. Help us and all whom we pray for, O LORD our God. Save us from all that harms us in body, mind, heart and soul. Hear us now as we personally pray.

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

Pastor: With our prayers, we exalt the Lord. In the midst of His people, we will forever praise His holy grace. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 109)

The Message: Part #1
Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw Me Close’

Prayer for Illumination:

Reader: Holy Spirit, encourage us with these Living words of Christ; call us as devoted disciples, seeking to discern today's message and the meaning of our Master's teaching. In Jesus' Name, Amen.


Scripture Readings

The Message : Part #2 & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory


Dedication:

Lord Jesus, You speak to us in many ways - through music, to reach our hearts; through scripture, to feed our minds; through prayer, to heal our souls. In response, we offer You our gifts. Take these tithes and offerings and bless them to be used for the work of God's Kingdom in this church, community and throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Communion

Closing Hymn:

Benediction(unison): May Christ keep growing our beliefs each day; may the Father approve of our daily deeds; and may the Holy Spirit liberate our souls by encouraging us to worship the One, Triune and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

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

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