Sunday Prayers - Ordinary 21B - August 26

Approaching God

Welcome and announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Youth:             As we take refuge in You, O Lord, let us be glad; let us ever sing for joy.
People:            May You love and embrace us, O Lord, as we rejoice in Your Name.
Youth:             O Lord, bless us and surround us with Your favor throughout this sacred time. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                         Life Giver and Law Maker of the Universe, we come to You with our praises and prayers. We bless You with our worship; we exalt You above all else. You alone are Sovereign of all creation; You are the King of all that lives.

People:                        Gracious God, You grieve our sinful ways and are displeased with our selfish deeds. You mourn our wasted moments and dislike our shameful sins.  We are guilty of being proud and vain, foolish and faithless. We silently come to You with our personal confessions and humbly ask for grace.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                         Loving Lord, our faith diminishes when we are weak and deceitful. However, our hearts and souls can be restored to You through the mercy and grace of Jesus, our Lord. Through Christ alone, we have forgiveness; with Him, we are saved from sin.  In His holy words, we continue to pray, saying

“Our Father...THE LORD'S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)    

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                         Christ makes us see the error of our ways and reveals to us God’s mercy and grace. He alone has the power to cleanse our tarnished souls, and He sanctifies us as God’s children. Let us rejoice and be glad, for Christ is our King and everlasting Savior, forever and ever. 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)

Encountering God

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:             We cry out to God for help; we call upon Him to hear us and help us. In the midst of our distress, we seek the Lord; when we experience anxiety and discomfort, we look for the Lord to heal us.

People:            O God, we remember You and recall Your great works. When we are weak and faint, be our strength and salvation. When we are too troubled to speak, let us hear Your peaceful voice; when we are tired and exhausted, bring rest to our bodies and comfort for our souls.

Pastor:             Almighty Father, fill us with Your love and heal us by Your grace. Rescue and restore our loved ones from all that harms them in body, mind, heart and spirit. May Your healing mercy and loving compassion touch all those in need of freedom from pain and recovery from illness. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:             Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; You display Your power among the peoples. In Jesus’ Name, we make these prayers. Amen.

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 77)

Singing of “Sanctuary”

Moment for Stewardship

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:            Holy Spirit, enable us to follow Christ through these scriptures. Reveal to us the lessons of faith that we must learn, and the sacred things that we can apply in our daily lives. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering and offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor):  Lord Jesus, we go through our lives with Your presence among us each day. In times of trial and trouble, You carry us. In moments of joy and celebration, You bless us. We gladly gather our tithes and gifts before You. Take and bless them for the life, work, and ministry of this church, as well as for the tasks that You have called us to accept and accomplish. In Your Holy Name, we cheerfully give and faithfully pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Jesus be our Strength when we are weak; may the Father shield us from sin and protect us from despair; and may the Holy Spirit be our Guide and Comforter throughout our days, leading us to that moment in everlasting glory when we will truly worship the One, Triune, and Living God,  both now and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude