Prayers for Pentecost - 27 May

Approaching God

Welcome and announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Youth:             Lord, You have been our safe haven and dwelling place for many generations.

People:           Even before the mountains were born, or the Earth was ever created, You ruled the universe,

Youth:             From people to people, and from nation to nation, You are praised throughout this world. We                             will worship and glorify Your Spirit forever!

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:              Everlasting God, whose kingdom is above all the nations, and whose dominion extends throughout all of creation, we come to worship Your ways and praise Your sacred Name. Your words are constantly being fulfilled and You ways can never be diminished. We approach You humbly and reverently, seeking to please You with our songs and to petition You with our prayers.

People:           Gracious Lord, we are sometimes troubled by temptation and besieged by sin; we are continually fighting against faithless ways and selfish choices. In the midst of all our restless and misguided ways, forgive us for failing You, for neglecting the needs of others, and for imposing our sinful demands on those around us.  Hear us now as we make our sincere confessions.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:              Compassionate Lord, You have given us Your Son Jesus to save us from our mistakes and faults. He alone can cleanse us of the past. By His merciful promises, we can prevail; through the work of the Holy Spirit, we can be restored. In Christ, we place our lives and souls, seeking mercy and absolution, forgiveness and salvation. In His Name, we pray, saying, "Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide: Jesus came into the lives of many people and brought them God’s goodness. His words were full of healing and holiness, as well as challenge and change. We have come to Him this day with our confessions and He has received our prayers. Let us give thanks and rejoice, for Christ is our everlasting Savior and merciful King. Amen.

Gloria Patri(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.

Minute for Mission

Family Sermon (parents and all children, including Elementary school students come forward)

Encountering God

Choir Anthem

Memorial Day:            List of the dearly departed in the last year and a time of respectful silence

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:             We cry to the Lord in the midst of our troubles; we come to Him with our worries and fears. The Lord listens to our voices and is attentive to our prayers for health and strength, peace and healing. Through the Holy Spirit, we find forgiveness and compassion, grace and love. He is the source of our strength and the center of our existence.

People:           We wait for the Lord to be merciful. We call upon His Holy Name and seek salvation through Him alone. We place our hopes for healing in Him; we offer our family and friends into His unfailing love. May we each be healed of all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul.

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

Pastor:             God Himself will answer our prayers and set us free from all our fears. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 130)

Singing of 'Sanctuary’.

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:           Holy Spirit, persuade us by the power of these sacred words to apply Christ's teaching in our lives. Enable us to grasp the meaning of today's message and to seek ways with which to practice its importance. In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison):              Lord Jesus, we give You thanks for all that You have done on our behalf and especially for granting us salvation. We place before You our tithes and offerings, humbly asking that You bless them for the growth of Your church, the advance of faith in our community, and the expressing of the Gospel throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison):            May we remain in Christ and continue to honor Him each day; may the Father captivate our hearts and minds, so that we may serve Him with our gifts and talents; and may the Holy Spirit keep us true to our faith in the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and forevermore. Amen.

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