Sunday Prayers - Ordinary 26B - Sept 30

Approaching God

Welcome and announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Youth:   We will praise You, O Lord, with all of our hearts.
People: We will tell of Your wonders and rejoice in Your ways.

Youth:   We will be glad and sing praise to Your Name, O Lord Most High. Amen!

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty God, throughout our lives we have heard of the great things that You have done. You have watched over our people for generations. You have delivered us from evil and blessed us with Your good. As we gather in this sacred and special place, receive us as Your servants and children. Accept the praises we bring and allow us to acknowledge Your power, presence, and wisdom over our lives.
People:                 Gracious God, we understand our human frailties and limitations. We confess to being sinful and selfish, proud and impassive, stubborn and defensive. We have failed You many times and we often regret our past failures. Hear us now as we silently bring to You our confessions.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Heavenly Father, we thank You for Christ’s grace and mercy. In Him, we are forgiven and restored. By Him, our lives are given meaning and purpose, strength and hope. We make these prayers in Christ’s Name and through His everlasting words, we continue to pray, saying “Our Father...THE LORD'S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)    

Promise of the Gospel

Guide: God speaks to us through the life, words, and ministry of Jesus Christ. He allows us to be forgiven of all our mistakes when we sincerely seek His forgiveness and pardon. Let us rejoice in our King, for Jesus is our Savior and everlasting 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)

Encountering God

Minute for Mission – Outreach – Peacemaking

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 Let us declare our joy to God, who is our strength; let us proclaim His great and mighty works! Gracious Lord, remove our burdens from us; release us from our deepest worries and concerns.

People:                 In the midst of our sickness and illnesses when we are weak and helpless, we look to You, O Living God to answer our prayers. Give us patience to wait for You; grant us mercy for all of our requests.

Pastor:                  Subdue our fears and heal us of all that harms us in body, mind, heart and spirit. Mend us and all our loved ones with Your healing Hands. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                  The Lord will feed us with hope and strength; with His goodness and grace, we shall experience healing, hope and salvation. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 81)

Singing of Sanctuary

Prayer of Illumination

Reader: Holy Spirit, help us to receive these scriptures in ways that will challenge and change our lives. Let God’s words be acceptable to our hearts and minds, so that we may be transformed into becoming better servants for His Kingdom. 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, in the giving 0f these gifts, we open doors for effective ministries and missions to be accomplished by our church. Our tithes and offering reflect our devotion to You and the work of Your Gospel throughout the world. Accept our treasures and our lives; our time, as well as our talents. May they be used for the glory of God’s Kingdom. In Your Holy Name, we freely give and faithfully pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May the death of Christ make us realize how precious we are to Him; may the Father’s words and ways strongly influence our spirits and guide our lives; and may the Holy Spirit keep us faithful serving the One, Triune, and Living God, from this day forth and forevermore. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude