Monday, August 29, 2011

Sunday Worship Prayers - Ordinary 23A - 04 September

Approaching God

Prelude

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Gathering song

Call to Worship

Pastor:             We will praise the Lord with all our hearts and souls; let us lift up and magnify His Holy name.
People:           We will remember His glorious deeds; we will recount His wonderful blessings.
Leader:            We will glorify the Lord who crowns us with love and compassion; we will worship Him forever.

First Hymn:
           
Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:              Almighty and Everlasting God, to whom our hearts belong and through whom our lives are given meaning, we approach Your holy throne and seek to please You with our praise. Holy Lord, whose compassion embraces us and whose strength empowers us, we offer ourselves as servants to Your Kingdom, and as disciples of Your Son.
People:            Merciful Father, You know us perfectly and are completely aware of our mistakes and misdeeds, as well as our shameful secrets and selfish sins. Forgive our foolish and fallen ways. Pardon our self-importance, insensitivity and intolerance. Hear us now as we confess our sins to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Compassionate Lord, absolve us of our sinful past and cleanse us of our faithless ways. Forgive us through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, for His sacrificial death has purchased our salvation. Change our lives through Christ's teaching and challenge us today by His message. In His holy words, we make our confessions and continue to pray, saying, "Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD’S PRAYER
           

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide: Christ confronts our life style choices and seeks to change us with the gospel. He has the power to forgive our past mistakes and restore us to God's everlasting favor. So let us thank Him for giving His life and taking our punishment. He is our immortal Savior and eternal Lord. Amen.

Gloria Patri (Sung in unison): 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)

Children leave after sermon

Encountering God

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:             O LORD, hear our prayers and listen to us as we cry for mercy. In Your faithfulness and righteousness, come to our relief.
People:           Answer us, O Lord, especially when our spirits fail or we become fearful. Do not hold back Your healing from us; do not leave us in despair.

Pastor: Bring to us Your unfailing love, O God, for we have placed our trust in You. Show us what to do, O Lord, on behalf of our loved ones who are ill and in need of comfort. Heal us and them from all that harms us in body, mind, heart and soul.  Hear us now as we silently pray.

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

Pastor:             The Lord, in His unfailing love, can preserve our lives and bring us out of trouble. In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.
(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 143)
           
Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw Me Close.’

Prayer of Illumination
Reader:           Holy Spirit, grant us wisdom and understanding of these sacred scriptures. Speak to our hearts and fill us with Christ's love. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

Sermon & the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison):    Lord Jesus, You have spoken to our hearts through Your word and message. Help us to weigh carefully all that You have given to us here. In loving response, we gather before You our tithes and gifts. We pray that You will receive and bless them for the ministries and missions You would have our church fulfill. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Communion

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ's grace be with us each day; may the Father's peace empower our faith; and may the Holy Spirit keep us devoted to the One, Triune and Living God, both now and forever. Amen.

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

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