Approaching God
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude
Call to Worship
Pastor: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever.
People: The LORD is with us, we will not be afraid. We will take our refuge in Him.
Pastor: God is our strength and song; His Son, born among us this day, has become our salvation!
First Hymn:
Prayers of Adoration and Confession
Guide: Gracious Lord, whose works of salvation have been revealed to us through prophets and seers, holy leaders and visionaries, we give You thanks, this Christmas, for Your wonderful gifts of mercy and grace. We praise You for the promise of Your Son, who came into the world, to save us from sin and to restore us to Your blessed favor and everlasting love.
People: Heavenly Father, we confess that we have made foolish choices and still neglect to do what is right. We have permitted pride to harden our hearts and we have allowed greed to diminish our compassion. We are guilty of giving in to temptation and surrendering to selfish ways. We are sorry for our past mistakes and regret disappointing You and our loved ones. Hear us now as we confess our sins to You.
- Silent Confessions -
Guide: Almighty God, You sent Jesus into our world, not just to be the Messiah of His people, but to become the Savior of all our souls. His perfection purchased our salvation. His sacrifice atoned for all our mistakes. Through Jesus, we are given the promises of complete forgiveness and everlasting life. We worship Him and through His holy words, we continue to pray, saying, "Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD’S PRAYER" (debts/debtors)
Promise of the Gospel:
Guide: When Christ came to us, He revealed the true way to salvation. Ever since His Birth, humanity has been given the opportunity of following Christ and accepting Him as Lord. By confessing our mistakes solely to Him and placing our spirits into His hands, we are putting our faith in His words and acts. So, let us rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for Jesus has restored us to God, both now and forever. Amen.
Gloria Patri (sung 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)
Encountering God
Anthem
Prayers for Health and Healing
Pastor: O Lord, You are majestic and glorious. Your powerful presence permeates throughout the whole Earth. You are truly worshipped among all our people. Infants and adults, youth and seniors are praising Your Name all over the world
People: When we consider Your mighty works of creation, and see all that You have set in place, we confidently pray to You for health, wholeness, and healing.
What are we, Lord, that You are mindful of our weaknesses and failings? Why are we so privileged to receive Your blessings of love, mercy, and strength?
Pastor: Although we are lowly and frail, finite and made of flesh, You bless us with salvation and deliverance, glory and honor. We place our lives, and those of all our loved ones into Your hands. We ask that You will heal us of 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: O LORD, our God, how majestic is Your Name in all the Earth and how blessed we are in Jesus' Name. Amen. (Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 8)
Unison Singing of “Jesus Draw Me Close.”
Prayer of Illumination
Reader: Holy Spirit, through the message of the sacred scriptures, we know that God is with us and that we are called to serve Jesus Christ. Empower us by His teaching and inspire us through the events of His Precious Life. In Christ's Name, we pray. Amen.
Scripture Readings
The Message & The Apostles' Creed
Serving God
Offering & Offertory
Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, You came into the world to die for our sins. Throughout the ages, the Church has passed on that message of eternal hope through the ministries and missions that You have established. Today, we gather before You our tithes and offerings. We pray that You will bless them for the continuing work of Your Kingdom and the spreading of Your Living Gospel. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.
Closing Hymn:
Benediction (unison): May Christ continue to comfort us in the midst of our troubles and distress; may the Father keep us patient through all that we endure; and may the Holy Spirit grant us the strength to overcome our sufferings, so that we may joyfully serve and worship the One, Triune and Living God forevermore. Amen.
Doxology May God's Blessing & Postlude
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