Thursday, August 27, 2009

Sunday prayers - Ordinary 22 - Aug 30

Approaching God

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Prelude, Gathering & Introit

Acclamation (based on words from Psalm 52)

Leader: Let us trust in the LORD's unfailing love.

People: We will praise God forever, for the great works He has done.

Leader: We hope in His Holy Name. Let us worship and glorify the LORD

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer

Guide: Eternal Lord, whose power is limitless and whose works are glorified throughout Creation; we come before You, seeking to please Your Spirit, and faithfully blessing Your Holy name.

People: Almighty Father, whose ways still astound us and whose love strengthens our hearts, we turn to You for hope and renewal, for comfort and peace.

Guide: Loving God, You know us completely and comprehend all of our ways. You see the mistakes that we make and observe all of our foolish and selfish choices.

People: Merciful Lord, You bring us here to confess our sins and silently admit our guilt. You lead us to this moment where we ask for pardon and seek Your grace. Hear us now as we privately pray.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Immortal Father, we are gathered in Christ' Name, for only He can cleanse us of the past and restore us to Your Kingdom. His sacrifice is our salvation; His obedience is our offering. His perfection is our prayer. His cross is our confession.

People: We make these prayers in the Holy Name of Jesus and through His everlasting words, we now pray, saying, “Our Father, etc.” (Isaiah 27v12)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide: Jesus amazed His own people with His knowledge and preaching of the Gospel. Those things still amaze us today, but we are also astonished by His bravery and courage, which led Him to the Cross-to suffer and die for our sins. Only He can restore us to God. Only He can take us into the glorious, eternal Kingdom. So let us rejoice and give thanks for Christ our Savior is supreme and His grace is more than sufficient for all our needs. Amen. (John 7: 15)

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: Throughout the day, from beginning to end, we will praise the Name of the Lord.

People: He is exalted over all the nations; His glory extends from heaven to earth.

Leader: Our God is sovereign of all that we know; His power is displayed among His people.

People: The Lord looks down upon the earth and sees all of our problems and troubles.

Leader: He raises us from the pits of despair; in the midst of our pain, He fulfills our needs.

People: May the Lord hear our prayers for all our loved ones and ourselves. May He bring healing to our hearts, peace to our minds, strength to our bodies and comfort for our souls.

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

Leader: May the Lord restore our hopes and accept our prayers. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 113)

A Time to recognize our Sunday School Teachers (Past & Present)
Singing of ‘Sanctuary’

Prayer for Illumination:

Reader: Holy Spirit, fill our hearts with Christ's teaching and love. Enable us to understand and retain today's message, so that we may apply these lessons each day of our lives. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen. (Acts 5:3)

Scripture Readings & Sermon & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication:

Lord Jesus, You have enabled our church to come together to sing praises to God, to pray for one another and to receive the blessings of Your words. We now bring to You our thankful response. Take these gifts and tithes for Your continuous ministry amongst us and Your mission throughout the world. In Your Holy name, we give and pray. Amen. (1 Corinthians 14:23)

Closing Hymn:

Benediction: May Christ continue to direct our lives each day; may the Father encourage us to devote more of our time to His Kingdom; and may the Holy Spirit inspire us to go out into the world expressing our faith, with joy, hope and love. To the glory of the One, Triune and Living God, both now and evermore. Amen. (Romans 15:3)

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

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Sunday prayers: 21st Sunday in ordinary Time - Aug 23

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Gathering Song & Prelude

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer

Guide: Almighty Lord, whose holiness and perfection are beyond our comprehension; whose power and glory are infinitely above all that we can achieve; we humbly bow in Your Presence, seeking Your Salvation and the comfort of Your Grace.

People: Gracious Father, speak to our hearts and change our foolish ways. In the midst of our problems and struggles with life, be our constant guide. When fear or anxiety threaten our faith, be our strength and shield. When we selfishly fall away from Your influence and care, grasp hold of our souls and return us to Your Love.

Guide: Merciful Lord, when we take You for granted, doing our own things, living our own lives, and cheapening Your Grace, forgive us and cleanse us, reclaim us and restore us through Your Son Jesus Christ, to whom we now individually and silently pray for pardon.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Heavenly Lord, we thank You the forgiveness of our past mistakes and personal sins. We praise You for bringing Jesus into the world and into our lives, so that we may have the opportunity of being restored to Your Holy Kingdom. In the Name of our Savior, we make these prayers and unite our hearts in His Spirit, saying, “Our Father,…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide: Jesus is the Sacrificial Lamb of God, whose perfect obedience and holy life fulfilled God’s great plan of salvation. Through Jesus, we have the opportunity to be forgiven of our sins, renewed in spirit, and perfectly prepared for God’s Coming Kingdom. So let us rejoice and be glad, for Christ, our Messiah reigns! Amen.

Gloria Patri

Children’s Sermon

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; For He founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.

People: We have come into God’s Holy Presence, seeking His peace in this Holy place. O Lord, cleanse our souls and grant healing for our hearts; lift up our spirits and lead us by Your Truth.

Pastor: May we receive these blessings from the LORD and may our loved ones be touched by our Savior’s healing power. May we be united as a generation of those who seek Him, who seek God’s healing in all our lives. Hear us now, Lord, as we pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor: The Lord is strong and mighty. He is the King of Glory and the Healer of our lives. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing Prayer based on words from Psalm 24)

Anthem

Minute for Mission:

The Message: Part #1

Prayer of Illumination : Jesus, Draw Me Close.

Reader : Holy Spirit, make us glad in our hearts as we rejoice in Christ’s holy words. Enable us to live in hope through the power of the Gospel. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings:

The Message Part #2 & Apostles Creed.

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication : Lord Jesus, we follow Your Loving example by sacrificing these gifts from our resources and humbly placing them before Your Holy Throne. Bless these tokens of gratitude for the work of Your church here on earth. Help us to use these gifts for the proclamation of Your Word, the enhancing of Your Kingdom and the glorifying of Your Name. Amen.

Hymn :

Benediction: May Jesus speak to our spirits and lead us everyday; may the Father fortify our faith and send us out into the world; and may the Holy Spirit empower us to minister to the people we encounter each and everyday. Glory to God forevermore. Amen.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Sunday prayers - 20th Sunday in Ordinary - Aug 16

Approaching God

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Gathering – No prelude

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer

Guide: Eternal Lord of Heaven and Earth, whose power fortifies our spirits and whose love sustains our lives; we come before You as chosen children and elected worshippers, as humble servants and blessed heirs.

People: Immortal Father, You have never abandoned Your faithful people nor forsaken Your sacred promises. You have allowed us to abide in Your Presence and seek refuge in Your sanctuary.

Guide: Merciful God, we have sinfully taken You for granted. We have placed our own wants above Your will. We have selfishly made our own foolish choices, opposing Your perfect counsel. Pardon us for being uncaring, unfaithful and unholy. Hear us now as we silently seek Your forgiveness for all our faults and fallen ways.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Gracious Father, we seek salvation from Your Holy Jesus Christ, our Lord. By His supreme sacrifice, our mistakes are pardoned and our sins are absolved. Through His Grace, we are restored to Your Favor and set free from the past. In His holy words, we now pray, saying, “Our Father,…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide: We are not afraid to worship Jesus and broadcast His Name to the world, for He alone has the power on Earth to grant us God’s everlasting peace He is the High Priest of our hearts and the sacred Savior of our souls. So let us rejoice and express our faith in the praising and glorifying of His Name 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 extol the Lord with all our hearts in this place of holiness and healing. Great are the works of the LORD; we will recall His words and delight in them.

People: Glorious and majestic are the deeds of God; His righteousness endures forever. We remember His wonderful ways, for the LORD is gracious and compassionate.

Pastor: May God provide strength and sustenance for those who need Him; may He remember the prayers of our people for health, hope and healing. May the Lord show us the power of His works to us and our loved ones; may he set us free from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and spirit. Hear us now, Gracious God, as we silently pray.

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

Pastor: The works of God’s hands are faithful and just; we will trust all of His merciful ways. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 111)

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

Prayer for Illumination:

Reader: Holy Spirit, You know each of us by name and You call us into Christ’s service. Let His words and teaching challenge our lives, so that we may better honor and glorify His Sacred Name. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message: Part #2 & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication(unison):

Lord Jesus, You speak to us everyday of our lives and grant us many blessings. From the fruits of our work and the bounty of our resources, we place our tithes and offerings before You. Take these gifts and consecrate them for the ministries that You want to accomplish by our church, in this community, and throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we give our lives and seek Your blessing. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction(unison): May Christ be all the strength that we need each day; may the Father support us in times of weakness and failure; and may the Holy Spirit teach us to delight in the Lord by pleasing the One, Triune and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

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

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Sunday Prayers - 19th Sunday in Ordinary - Aug 9

Approaching God

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Gathering Song & Prelude

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer

Guide: Almighty Creator and Immortal Lord, whose holiness purifies the universe, and whose sacred words sustain all life; we humbly gather before You as servants seeking to honor You and as sinners needing salvation.

People: All Powerful and Ever Present God, whose ways are beyond our imagining and whose noble works have been glorified for centuries, we humbly approach Your Throne of grace, looking for mercy, favor and love.

Guide: Heavenly Father, we have built barriers of pride and prejudice, insolence and ignorance, as well as faithlessness and fear around our souls. We have damaged our spirits by our greedy ways; we have diminished our faith by our selfish sins. Pardon our guilt and forgive our foolish choices. Hear us now as we silently confess and pray.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Loving Father, Your forgiveness restores us to Your divine favor and godly grace. The blood of Jesus Christ our Lord has atoned for our guilt. Without His sacrifice, we would have no salvation. Without His perfect obedience, we would have no everlasting hope. In Christ’s words, we unite our hearts, saying, “Our Father,…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide: Jesus lived among us to show us God's love. His goodness and grace established in the hearts and minds of many people a new faith, a new understanding, and a new hope. We have received His blessings and are called to be His disciples. He forgives all our faults and releases us from the wrath of God. So let us rejoice and be glad, for Christ is our Savior and we are restored to God's everlasting favor. 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: O Lord, come amongst us and let Your Spirit abide in our presence. Extend Your healing power and favor upon us as we pray.

People: In the midst of all that troubles us, be our strength. Throughout our times of worry and fear, be our shield. Become our constant hope and the solid foundation of our faith, as we present our prayers for healing to You alone.

Pastor: Gracious Lord, hold us in Your precious hand. Heal us from all that harms us in body, mind, heart and soul. Let Your sovereign and sacred power touch all our loved ones in the midst of their pain, sickness, and distress. Hear us now as we silently pray.

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

Pastor: Lord, refresh our spirits with Your love that heals. Lift up our hearts, so that we may praise You alone. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 110)

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

Prayer for Illumination:

Reader: Holy Spirit, sow seeds of salvation within our hearts and minds. Let the scriptures enrich our lives so that we may serve Christ all of our days. In Jesus' Name, we humbly ask. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message: Part #2 & The Apostles’ Creed


Serving God

Offering & Offertory


Dedication:

Lord Jesus, across the centuries You have spoken to our people in the language of hope, faith, and love. Today, we willingly give of ourselves and our resources to continue Your sacred work on Earth. Bless our tithes and offerings. May they be used for the praising of God and the glorifying of His kingdom. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction: May Christ diminish our doubts by enhancing our faith each day; may the Father sustain us by supplying our daily needs; and may the Holy Spirit keep us from sin with good guidance and constant counsel; to the glory of the One, Triune and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow & Postlude