Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Advent 2 Sunday Prayers - Dec 8

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude
Gathering Song

Call to Worship: Advent Two

Pastor:                 Isaiah 11:6-7      The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox.

Family:                  Peace is the theme of the Second Sunday in Advent. Peace is what we all long for in our lives and the scriptures tell us of a wonderful day when all of nature will be at peace forever. Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace and we welcome His sacred presence in the world.

Lighting of Two Advent candles

Family:                  May Christ’s peace descend upon our hearts and souls during this time of praise.
All:                         Glory be to God on high! Amen.               Singing of “Gloria in Excelsis Deo.”

Hymn   
               
Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Eternal Majesty, whose riches and resources are unlimited; whose power is absolute and abounding with holiness; we gather before You in this place of praise, peace, and prayer. You have set apart this time in our lives to worship and adore You. We have responded to Your call and we continue to bless Your Holy Name.
People:                 Gracious Father, we confess our sins to You. We have stored up bitterness in our hearts. We have allowed pride to damage our souls. We have hurt other people with our words and disappointed You with our deceptions. We have fulfilled our own desires and cast aside Your commandments. Forgive us, Merciful God, as we repent of our sinful ways and selfish deeds. Hear us now as we personally seek Your pardon.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Compassionate Lord, who permits us to call upon Your Son for help, healing, and wholeness, we praise You for the promises of salvation through the blood and sacrifice of Jesus. Without His obedience to You, we would remain unforgiven. Through His sacrifice, we are pardoned and restored to Your favor forever. Hear us now as we pray in Christ’s words, saying, “Our Father….THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Jesus is the King of Creation and the Lord of our lives. We did not give this honor to Him. Through His complete devotion and perfect obedience, God bestowed upon Jesus all authority on Earth and in heaven to forgive our sins, to restore us to God’s favor, so that we may be welcomed into His Eternal Kingdom. Let us rejoice and be truly thankful, for Jesus is our One, True, and Only Savior, 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

Encountering God

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing


Pastor:                  Your healing love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens; Your faithfulness to the skies. Your strength is like the mighty mountains; Your justice is deep and unfailing.
People:                 O LORD, we pray that You will preserve our lives and loved ones. How precious is Your constant love and mercy to us! May our families and friends find refuge in Your presence and healing from all that harms them.
Pastor:                  May we all regain our health and strength from the abundance of Your power; may You grant our petitions and delight us with Your grace. Hear us now as we pray.
                               
Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Leader:                 Living and Gracious Lord, continue Your love to those who need You, and Your healing to those most cherished in our hearts. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.
(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 36)

Singing of Sanctuary

Prayer for Illumination

Reader :               Holy Spirit, challenge and change us through the truths that these sacred scriptures reveal. Move our hearts and show us how to fulfill Christ’s message in our daily lives. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings                         
The Message and Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory     

Dedication (unison – led by pastor)                        Lord Jesus, You know us completely and perfectly understand everything about our lives. We often fail to fulfill our service and devotion to You, and yet You still allow us to receive the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation. With humble and sincere thanks, we offer You our time, talents, and money. Take these tokens of our gratitude and bless them for the continuing life, work, and ministry of Your Church in this community, across this nation, and throughout the world. In Your Precious Name, we pray. Amen.  

Hymn                   
               
Benediction (unison):    May Christ protect us from our sinful nature and keep us on His Holy path; may the Father continually cultivate our faith through His Love and Grace; and may the Holy Spirit enable us to branch out into the world to effectively witness to God’s kingdom, glory, and power. Both now and forever. Amen.

Doxology


Postlude

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