Sunday worship Prayers - Ordinary 5C - Feb 10

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Youth:   Living God, You have called us to be in Your House of praise and prayer.

All:         We have obeyed Your summons and now seek to please You with our worship.

Youth:   Allow us the presence of Your Holy Spirit, so that we may bless and honor You. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Everlasting Lord, who speaks to all Creation, sustaining the entire Universe with Your Word, we come here to worship and adore Your wonderful ways. We are blessed with Your peace and strengthened by Your love.

People:                 Gracious Father, You command us to listen to Your voice and to follow Your ways. We confess that we have been disobedient and rebelled against Your ways. We are weak, mortal, and imperfect whereas You are holy, immortal, and almighty. Forgive our faithless and selfish ways; pardon our wrong acts and sinful deeds. Hear us now as we silently pray.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                  Loving God, enable us to be attentive to Your commands, and obediently listen to what You have to say through Jesus Christ, Your Holy Son. In Christ alone, our spirits can be reunited with You forever. Through Him, we are saved from eternal separation and destruction. In His Name and by His words, we make these prayers, saying,

 "Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER" (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                                  We thirst for Jesus and His soul-refreshing words. He is the Savior of our spirits and the Healer of our hearts. Let us rejoice and be glad, for Christ has overcome sin and death, bringing to us eternal blessings of faith, hope, and love. 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

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 We call to You from all of our hearts, O LORD; answer us and we will obey Your decrees. We call out to You to save us and heal us. We will earnestly follow Your divine counsel and accept Your ways.

People:                 Each day, Living Lord, we ask You for help. We place our hopes in Your promises and sacred words. Hear our prayers, given in accordance with Your love. Preserve and sustain us, in accordance with Your great compassion.

Pastor:                  You are near to us, O Lord, and Your promises are reassuring. We bring before You our loved ones, our neighbors, other people, and ourselves. We ask You to heal us of everything that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul  Hear us now, as we faithfully pray.

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

Pastor:                  Lord God, long ago Your words were established in scripture, and our people faithfully followed You by applying them in our lives. Grant us healing through Your promises, for in Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 119:Qoph)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary’

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, let these words of scripture send us a meaningful message today. Enable our hearts to receive Christ's teaching and open our minds to His ways. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.         

Scripture Readings

The Message and Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (in unison – led by pastor):  Lord Jesus, You come to display God's good works in our lives and throughout the entire world. You call us to faithfully serve You in ministry and mission. Take these tithes and gifts as our cheerful response to that invitation.  Bless them for the life, work, and tasks that our church undertakes and fulfills to the glory of God and His Kingdom. Amen.

Closing Hymn

Benediction (in unison):  May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace as we trust in Him, so that we may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: One God forevermore. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Worship prayers - Epiphany 4C - Feb 03

Approaching God

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Youth:                   May the LORD teach us His ways; may we keep His word throughout our lives.

People:                 God grants us meaning and purpose, when we obey Him and praise His deeds.

Youth:                   May the LORD direct us as we delight in worshipping and glorifying His Name. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Sovereign Lord, we gather here in Your sacred house; we come to honor Your authority over all Creation. We seek to please You with our praise and want to serve You throughout our days.

People:                Merciful Father, we are weary of our sins and sorry for our mistakes. We regret offending You with our selfish ways and tarnished lives. Instead of finding rest in Your salvation, we fret over our failures. Instead of trusting in Your strength, we weaken our souls through our inconsistency and despondency, our foolish pride and unfaithful moments. Forgive us for casting aside Your influence over our lives. Hear us now as we humbly pray.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing us to confess our sins; for granting us mercy; and for giving us Your Son, Jesus Christ, as our One, True and Holy Savior. In His Hands, we place our souls; in His Name, we make our confessions; and in His words we continue to pray, saying, "Our Father...THE LORD'S PRAYER"  (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide: The world wonders who Jesus is, but we know that He is all that He claimed to be. He is the Holy Son of God, the Savior of our souls, and the Ruler of the Universe. In Him, we are granted forgiveness and through Him, we can receive eternal life. Let us rejoice and worship Christ, both now and forever. 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

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 How long, O God, will we experience sickness and pain? How long will we endure illness and anxiety? How long must we wrestle with our worries, and find sadness in our hearts? How long shall we strive and be subjected to stress?

People:                 Look upon on us, O LORD, our God, and mercifully answer us. Lighten our loads and save us from despair. When our hopes seem to fail, heal our hurts. When we falter through fear, restore our faith.

Pastor:                 Come among us, Gracious God, and to all our loved ones. Heal us from all that harms us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Hear us now as we silently pray.

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

Pastor:                  We will praise the Lord, for He has been good to us. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 13)

Singing of “Sanctuary.”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, each time we visit God's house, we learn more about the truth of Jesus Christ. His words and ways come to us across the centuries, from the events and experiences of His amazing earthly life. Open our hearts and minds, our spirits and souls to Him today. In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message and the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (in unison, led by pastor):    Lord Jesus, You come among us and grant us Your peace. You forgive our sins and restore us to God's love. In response, we give our lives to You, and we ask that You will bless them, so that we may honor God throughout our days. We also bring before You our tithes and gifts. Bless these tokens of our gratitude to the continuing life, work, and mission of Your Church on Earth, in this community, and all over the world. In Your Precious Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Communion

Closing Hymn

Benediction (unison):    May Christ continue to help us as He intercedes for us; may the Father keep us thankful for the favors He grants us each day; and may the Holy Spirit guide us as we worship, serve, and glorify the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and forevermore. Amen.                                

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Worship Prayers - Epiphany 3C - Jan 27

Approaching God

Welcome & announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Youth:   Let us come before God in this holy place, to worship and praise Him together.

All:         We will lift up our hearts and voices to glorify God with prayers and songs.

Youth:   We are God’s people and we are thankful that we belong to Him this day. Amen.

Hymn:

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                 Almighty and Holy Lord, today we joyfully seek to praise Your ways and cheerfully give of ourselves to Your Kingdom. In this holy place of peace and prayer, we humbly await for Your Presence.

People:                                Loving God, forgive our inconsiderate and careless ways; pardon our mistakes and misdeeds. Have mercy upon us when we are tempted and succumb to evil. Hear us now as we silently confess our faults to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Immortal God, let Jesus become the desire of our hearts so that our decisions may honor Him. Without His grace, we are godless; without His sacrifice, our lives are squandered. In His Words, we now thankfully pray, saying: Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  Christ is our Wonderful Counselor, Merciful Healer, and the Prince of our Peace. He restores us to God’s favor and we are restored to His ministry and mission. Let us rejoice and be glad, for on this day and at this time, all our sins are forgiven and we are reunited with God, both now and forever. In Christ’s Name, we pray. 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:                 O Lord, You are the foundation of our lives, so we pray to You for love and favor. Enter into our hearts and minds; come into our spirits and souls; heal us of all that harms us. We have heard glorious things spoken of You, Holy God. Grant us Your goodness and grace. We acknowledge and adore Your power; please bless our faith and accept our prayers.

People:                                Gracious Father, establish Your strength among our loved ones. Free them from fear and save them from sickness. Let Your healing ways overcome their weakness; let Your perfect peace vanquish their pain. Hear us now as we personally and sincerely pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 We will rejoice in the greatness of the Lord. May His blessings restore our hopes and refresh our weary souls. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.                 

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 87)

Singing of “Sanctuary”

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, enable us to see the work of God in our lives. Through the readings of these sacred scriptures, open our hearts and minds to Christ’s teaching. Challenge us by the things He says; change us through the things that Jesus does.  In His Holy Name, we read and pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory:

Dedication (in unison, led by pastor):    Lord Jesus, we have followed Your way of love and we eagerly await Your blessing. You have showered us with spiritual gifts and helped us to find meaning, purpose, and hope in our lives. Take these monetary gifts and bless them for the continuing work of Your ministry in this church, throughout this community, across our country and in the world. In Your Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Hymn:

Benediction (in unison):              May Christ clothe us with His compassion and love; may the Father free us from temptation and despair; and may the Holy Spirit keep us focused on the wisdom, words, and ways of the One, Triune & Living God, now and forevermore. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Worship prayers - Epiphany 2C - Jan 20

Approaching God

Welcome and announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Youth:                   Let us joyfully come and freely worship the Lord our God.

People:                We praise His loving ways and glorify His wonderful deeds.

Youth:                   Let us honor God from our hearts and praise Him from our lips. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty and Eternal God, in whose holy presence we live, and for whose predestined purposes we are sustained, accept the prayers and praises that we express from our lips and hearts. To You alone, we dedicate this time of worship and exaltation. In You alone, we place all our faith, hope, and love.

People:                 Gracious Lord, we confess that there are times when we make bad choices, which separate us from You. There are moments in our lives when we are stubborn and disobedient, proud and resentful, as well as prejudiced and bitter. Forgive our self-centered and faithless ways. Hear us now as we silently make our confessions.

SILENCE –

Guide: Loving Father, You have given Jesus to us as the Way to forgiveness, the Truth of salvation, and the Life which leads us to restoration. In Him, through Him, and by Him, we are saved and renewed, pardoned and reunited to You forever. In Christ’s words, we lift up our prayers, saying: “Our Father…” (The Lord’s Prayer – debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                                  Christ obeyed God completely throughout His life. As God’s Perfect and Holy Son, He made the supreme and sacred sacrifice that paid for all of our sins. In Jesus, we have the One, True, and Living Savior, who sets us free from our past mistakes and restores us to God forevermore. 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:                  O Lord, when we are afraid or if our faith is weak, help us to look to Your promises. You are our refuge and our shield; we place our confidence in Your Word alone.

People:                 Cast out our doubts and fears. Help us to remain focused on Your power. Sustain us with Your almighty strength; do not let our hopes be dashed.

Pastor:                  Keep our thoughts from being distracted by our fears. Help us to follow You in faith. Heal us, and all our loved ones, from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul. Hear us now as we quietly and sincerely pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 Lord, we abide in Your loving presence. We remain in awe of Your amazing love and healing power. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.    (Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 119:Samekh)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, enable us to receive the message and purpose of these scriptures. Keep us from trivializing the truth. Open our hearts and minds to all that Christ gives us through His actions and words. In His Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (in unison, led by pastor):    Lord Jesus, through the power of the Gospel, we are brought closer to You. By the gracious presence of the Holy Spirit, we are given the priceless gift of salvation. Gladly and cheerfully, we bring to You our tithes and gifts as a thanksgiving offering. Take and receive them for Your continuing work in this church and throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Hymn:

Benediction (in unison):  May the Father’s amazing love fill us with joy and peace as we trust in Him; may the Son open up opportunities of service and devotion to Him each day;  and may we  overflow with hope by the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, One God forevermore. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Worship Prayers - Baptism of Jesus - 13 Jan

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Sacred God, whose power formed the universe and whose creativity made our world, we gather in this place of peace and praise to honor and glorify Your wonderful Name. For generations our people have been blessed by Your loving deeds and mighty acts. Your words and works continue to amaze and inspire us throughout the ages and across the nations.

People:                 Heavenly Father, we are humbled by Your blessings, for we know that we are unworthy of Your grace. You are righteous and we are sinful. You are mighty and truthful; we are weak and deceitful. Forgive us, Lord, for allowing pride, greed, and anger to blemish our hearts and souls. We are often shallow and selfish, faithless and false, hurtful and unholy. Hear us now as we personally ask forgiveness of You.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Loving Lord, we thank You for Jesus who cleanses our past mistakes and restores us to Your favor. By His mercy our sins are forgiven and He restores us to become trusted servants of Your Kingdom. We are eternally indebted to Christ, so we unite our spirits with Him through the saying of His words:

Our Father, who art in heaven…(The Lord’s Prayer – debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  Jesus never said that believing in Him would be easy. He asks us to follow His ways and apply His words to our daily lives. When we fail to live up to His teaching, He is willing to forgive us if we choose to sincerely confess our faults to Him. So let us rejoice and be thankful that Christ is Our Savior, Lord, and God, both now and evermore. 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:                  Hear, O LORD, and graciously answer us, for we are poor in spirit and in need of Your care. Guard our lives and protect us from illness, for we are devoted to You and Your ways.

People:                 Have mercy upon us, O Lord, for we call upon You this day for health and healing. Bring comfort to us, for to You alone we lift up our prayers and make our healing petitions.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 In the day of our trouble we will call to You, O Lord, for You will answer us. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.                                (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 86)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination:

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, encourage us through these sacred scriptures and open our hearts to receive God’s word. Astonish us with this teaching and enable us to take note of all that God fulfills in the life of Christ. In Jesus’ Name, we read and pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory:

Dedication (in unison – led by pastor): Lord Jesus, we can never repay You for the eternal blessings of salvation. We gather before You our gifts and tithes as a thanksgiving offering for the faith we share.  Bless these tokens and give us guidance to use these gifts for the preaching of the gospel, the sharing of Your love, and the praising of our God. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Hymn

Benediction (in unison):  May the God of hope fill us with His joy and grant us peace as we trust in Jesus Christ His Son; may we overflow with hope by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives. In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; One God forevermore. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude