Sunday Worship Prayers - Lent 4C - 10 March

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Youth:                   Loving God, we come into Your House of praise and prayer; accept our songs and worship.

People:                 We are called to be in Your presence and seek to please You with our devotion.

Youth:                   Come among us, Holy Lord, and bless each of us here today. In Jesus’ Name, we ask. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration & Confession

Guide:                 Sovereign Lord of the Universe and Gracious God of our hearts, we praise Your glorious ways and bless Your wonderful deeds. You are the One, True, and Living God. We are honored to be called into Your Holy Presence. We feel favored to gather in Your Holy House.

People:                 Loving Lord of Life, You created the Earth and watch over our entire planet. You know that we are human and frail, prone to pride and drawn to sin. Forgive our faults and pardon our past mistakes. Have mercy upon us for we are foolish and faithless at times, overcome by greed and vanity, temptation and trouble. Hear us now as we humbly confess our sins to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Heavenly Father, enable us to honor Your Name by placing Christ at the center of our lives. May His Passion free us from our sins. May His sacrifice restore us to Your Favor. For we make our confessions in Christ’s Name and through His own words, we unite our hearts in prayer, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (DEBTS/DEBTORS)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Christ opens our eyes to the consequences of our sins. By giving His life for us, He shows us how seriously God deals with our selfish and deceitful mistakes. Thankfully, He also opens the gates of eternal freedom to those who come to Him sincerely seeking forgiveness, peace, and love. By the power of His blood, we receive mercy and are restored to God’s favor. Therefore, in Christ’s Name, let us rejoice and 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: Hear our cries, O God; listen to our heartfelt prayers. Deep within our souls, we call to You. When we are weak and our hearts are troubled, be the rock of our salvation.

People:                 You are our refuge and our strength against all things which harm us in body, mind, heart and soul. We seek to dwell in Your healing presence and look to You to keep us safe from illness and injury, disease and despair, pain and suffering.

Pastor:                 We call upon You for ourselves, our loved ones, and those whom we know need Your help. May Your love and faithfulness protect all of us and may our loved ones experience Your peace and blessing, Your hope and healing. Hear us now as we pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 May we sing praise to the One, True, and Living God, whose compassionate healing is given and fulfilled in each of our lives this day. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.    

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 61)

Singing of “Sanctuary"

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, lift up our hearts and help us to see the real Jesus in the midst of these scriptures. Reveal to us His teaching for our lives, and help us to apply what we learn from Him today.  In Christ’s Sacred Name, we pray. Amen. 

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (infusion – led by pastor):    Lord Jesus, You have revealed to us Your ways through the Living Word of the scriptures. In response, we gather together our tithes and offerings, placing them into Your keeping. We ask that You will bless these tokens and enable us to use them for the many ministries and missions You have called us to pursue and fulfill. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Closing Hymn

Benediction (unison): May Christ help us to regard each day as holy and special; may the Father continue to bless our needs and strengthen our souls; and may the Holy Spirit teach us to live our lives in thankfulness to the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Worship Prayers - Lent 3C - March 03

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Youth:   We come here to praise the Lord and to honor His great deeds throughout the Earth.

All:         We have been summoned in Christ’s Name and cheerfully responded to His Call.

Youth:   Let us gladly worship the One True and Living God. Amen.

Hymn   

               

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Sovereign Lord of the Universe, we praise Your glorious ways and bless Your wonderful Name. We are honored at being called into Your Holy Presence. We feel favored when You summon us to Your Holy House of praise and prayer.

People:                 Loving Lord of Life, You rule over the Earth and see all of its ways. You know that we are sinful and selfish, foolish and faithless, as well as proud and pitiless at times.  Forgive our faults and pardon our past mistakes. We have neglected to do good deeds, and have inflicted hurt on other people. We have followed our own foolhardy ways and allowed temptation to contaminate our souls. Hear us now as we inwardly confess our sins to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Heavenly Father, help us to honor You by placing Christ at the center of our lives. May His Passion free us from our sins. May His sacrifice restore us to Your Favor. In Christ’s Name, we pray and through His own words, we unite our hearts, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’s PRAYER” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide:                   Jesus wants us to turn away from sinful ways and return to Him. He calls us to follow Him and be witnesses of His mercy. Our past sins are forgiven because He loves us. We honor Christ’s authority over our lives by asking for His redeeming grace. Let us rejoice and be glad, for Christ is our Savior and we are eternally restored to God’s favor and blessing. 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.

Children’s Sermon

Anthem

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 Lord, we proclaim Your love this morning and thank You for Your faithfulness to us. You make us glad through Your wonderful deeds; we rejoice in the work of Your healing hands.

People: Loving Lord, we know that You understand us perfectly, and that You think about us constantly. May we flourish by Your grace; may we be healed through Your mercy.

Pastor:  In the midst of our illnesses, be our salvation. During times of depression or despair, be our defender and deliverer. Loving Lord, look after our loved ones and heal them of all that harms them in body, mind, heart and soul. Hear us now as we pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit

Pastor: The Lord is our righteousness, our peace and strength. He loves and restores us in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

                                (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 92)

Prayer for Illumination                

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, enable us to judge between right and wrong through the guidance of these scriptures. Open our hearts and minds to Christ’s teaching, so that we may please and obey God every day. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings                         

The Message & Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory     

Dedication (in unison – led by pastor): Lord Jesus, You have revealed Your ways through the Living Word of the scriptures. In response, we gather together our tithes and offerings, placing them into Your keeping. We ask that You will bless these tokens and enable us to use them for the many ministries and missions You have called us to pursue and fulfill. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Communion

Hymn                                   

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

Doxology& Postlude

Sunday Worship prayers - Lent 2C - Feb 24

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to worship

Youth:   O Lord, help us to focus our hearts and minds on worshipping You.

All:         We have come into Your Holy House to praise Your Everlasting Reality.

Youth:   Bless our prayers and songs, gifts and voices. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Hymn   

               

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty and Everlasting God, we approach You with awe and reverence; we gather in humility and service. Your Hands have formed our universe; Your Will sustains our lives. What are we that You are mindful of us? Who are we to receive Your compassion and care?

People:                 Gracious Lord, nothing is hidden from Your gaze; no secrets can be kept from Your heart. We have shamefully sinned and selfishly centered our lives upon greed, pride, desire, and deceit. We have neglected our faith, spoken angry words; we have passed by people in need, and put You to the back of our minds. We are guilty of many sins, so we seek Your compassion and ask for mercy. Hear us now as we solemnly pray.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Loving Father, we are unworthy to receive grace and yet You have given us Your Son Jesus to die for our mistakes, to take the punishment due for our sins, and to sacrifice Himself for all the wrong things we have committed, as well as for all of the right things we have omitted. Without our Savior, we would remain unforgiven. Without Christ’s obedience, we would not be restored. Hear us now as we unite our hearts with His, by saying Christ’s own words, saying “Our Father...THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide:                                  Christ knows all of our secrets and everything that goes on in our minds, hearts, and lives. Only He can fully offer us salvation. Only He can restore us to the One, True and Living God. When we honestly believe in Him and sincerely confess our sins, He will forgive us and bring us back to God. Let us rejoice and be glad for Jesus has pardoned our foolish ways and re-established our everlasting relationship with the LORD, both now and always. 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.

Children’s Sermon

Anthem

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 Almighty God, You have been our dwelling place and healing source throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or Time began, You existed.

People:                 O LORD, how long shall we suffer? Have compassion upon us and heal all of Your servants. Satisfy our prayers with Your unfailing love, so that we may praise and glorify You every day.

Pastor:                  Make us glad by restoring our health; bring peace, hope, and healing to all our loved ones.

May Your compassionate deeds be shown to us; may the splendor of Your strength be experienced by all for whom we now pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 May the favor of the LORD rest upon us. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

                                (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 90)

Unison singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, open our hearts to Christ’s teaching, and enable us to spread His message amongst the people we know and love, through applying these sacred words in our everyday lives. In Jesus’ Name, we ask. Amen.

Scripture Readings                         

The Message & the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory:    

Dedication (in unison – led by pastor): Lord Jesus, through the things that we do, we witness to others about Your ministry. Today, we gather this offering as a true token of our faith and loving response to Your sacred words. Take these gifts and tithes and bless them for Your continuing work and ways amongst us. In Your Holy Name we pray. Amen. 

Hymn                                   

Benediction (in unison):  May we be drawn closer to Christ and devoted to His ministry on Earth; may the Father continue to captivate our hearts and bless our lives; and may the Holy Spirit lead us onward to that glorious day when we shall worship the One, Triune and Living God forever . Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Worship Prayers - Lent 1C - Feb 17

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Youth:                   Almighty God, You have summoned us to come and worship You.

People:                 We have obeyed Your call and seek to praise Your Everlasting Name.

Youth:                   May our hearts rejoice in Your Presence and may our songs be filled with joy. Amen.

First Hymn:        

               

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Gracious Lord, whose words have shaped our civilization and whose love sustains our people, we humbly approach Your Holy presence. You have edified our lives and blessed our spirits. We acknowledge You as our Strong Deliver and Almighty King.

People:                 Merciful God, each day we are distracted by sinful things which plague our faithful ways. We are tempted by selfish desires and end up justifying our chronic mistakes.

People:                                Everlasting Father, enter our hearts and strengthen our Christian beliefs. Anoint our souls with Your Holy Spirit, so that we may overcome our reckless and foolish ways. Forgive us for being weak and sinful people. Pardon our neglect of good works, charitable deeds, and selfless giving. Hear us now as we confess our sins to You.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Loving Lord, You have returned hope to us and we are grateful for Your compassion. May we continue to adore Jesus as our Savior, who gave His Life so that we may be cleansed of the past, strengthened in the present, and restored to Your eternal Kingdom in the future. In His holy words, we now pray, saying:

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

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide:                  In the midst of our troubles, Jesus is here beside us, ready to calm the rough times in our lives with His mercy, grace, and love. Let us celebrate His wonderful deeds and glorious life, 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.

Children’s Sermon

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                  We have heard what God has done in the past and experienced His unfailing love in our lives. With God’s guidance, we have overcome our troubles and through His mercy, we have flourished.

People:                 The Lord is our King and God forever. We look to Him for the health and healing. We pray that God will relieve us from our pain and sickness, our illness and disease, as well as our discomfort and despair.

Pastor:                  Almighty LORD, hear our prayers and answer our heartfelt pleas. Touch us with Your Holy Spirit and enter into the hearts, minds, bodies and souls of all our loved ones, so they may healed of all that harms them. Restore them to health, happiness, and wholeness. Hear us now as we silently bring our prayers and requests for healing to You alone.

               

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                  May the LORD rise up and help us, restoring us through His unfailing love. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.                                (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 44)

Anthem

Prayer for Illumination                

Reader:                                Holy Spirit, possess our minds with Christ’s goodness and fulfill our spiritual needs through the power of the sacred scriptures. Open our hearts to His godly ways and change our lives by challenging our ideas, opinions, and beliefs. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings                         

The Message & the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory     

Dedication (in unison, led by pastor):                    Lord Jesus, sometimes we are distracted by worldly concerns, causing our giving to be depleted through our insecurity. Today, You have granted us a new hope and restored us to Your Father’s Kingdom. In return, we cheerfully give these tokens to You, praying that You will bless them for the ministries and missions that You have called our church to establish, sustain, and accomplish. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.  

Second Hymn                                   

Benediction (in unison):  May the God of hope fill us with joy and peace as we trust in Him, so that we may overflow with His Son’s blessings, and  through 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