Friday, August 16, 2013

Sunday Church Prayers: Ordinary 23c - September 08

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude
Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Liturgist:               Let us come together and praise the Lord, who is our Protector and Redeemer, as well as our Deliverer and Savior.
People:                 Our help is in the Name of the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth.
Liturgist:               We will worship the One, True, and Living God, both now and forever. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Lord God Almighty, You are our shield and sanctuary, our righteous rock and glorious redeemer. Look compassionately upon Your people and lift our spirits up when we are in great need.
People:                Loving Father, we know that there are times when we make mistakes and let our bad feelings compromise our faith. We confess to being proud and stubborn, foolish and haughty, especially when dealing with others who displease or disagree with us.
People:                Merciful Lord, when we stray from Your path and follow our own ways, or when we neglect worshiping You and devote ourselves to things that please us, forgive us for these sinful distractions and selfish desires. Have mercy on our souls and please hear us now as we confess to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                  Heavenly Father, our sins separate us from You and keep us from being good Christians. Only Jesus can return us to Your Kingdom; only He can restore us to who and what we should be in Your eyes. We place our lives into Christ’s hands and through His sacred words, we continue to pray, saying "Our Father…THE LORD'S PRAYER" (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Christ is the Greatest Savior that the world has ever known. We are blessed by His obedience and saved by His sacrifice. No matter who we think we are, we are all sinners, standing in the need of deliverance and requiring Christ’s forgiveness. In Jesus’ Name, we claim that pardon and salvation. 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, if we have been foolish and disappointed You, forgive us. If we have been sinful and angered You, be merciful to us. Sometimes we suffer sickness and experience illness because of our selfish ways and sinful habits. Pain and isolation, fear and anxiety, as well as guilt and worry overwhelm our spirits, damage our souls, weaken our bodies, and stifle our minds.
People:                 O Lord, sometimes our faith is feeble and our confidence is crushed. We need You, Lord, to save us from all that diminishes us and heal us from all that harms us. We wait for You, O God, and seek Your answer. We  focus our thoughts on You, looking for Your love. May You also remember our loved ones, Lord, and never forsake them in the midst of their troubles. Hear us now as we pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                  Come quickly to us and help us, O Lord our God and Savior. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.
 (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 38)

Unison singing of “Sanctuary.”

Prayer of Illumination
Reader:                Holy Spirit, come among our assembly and bless us with Your presence. Speak to us through Christ’s words and deeds. Let them become living words in our hearts and minds, so that we may pass them on to those we meet. 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 bring meaning into our lives and give us a purpose for our faith. We depend upon You for salvation and look to You each day for guidance. Take these gifts from our tithes and resources. Use them for the life, work, and ministry of Your church in this community, this country, and throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray.  Amen.

Closing Hymn

Benediction (in unison):                May Christ write His loving words in each of our hearts; may the Father stand among us and bless our deeds; and may the Holy Spirit keep us obedient to the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and forevermore.     

Doxology & Postlude


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