Monday, November 24, 2014

Sunday Prayers for Advent 2 - Dec 7

Approaching God

Welcome and announcements

Prelude & Gathering

Lighting of Advent Candles

Herald:                 Revive us again, O Christ our Savior, so that we may rejoice in Your grace and peace.
People:                 Show us Your unfailing love, O God, and grant us Your salvation.

Lighting of 2 candles
Herald:                 May peace be experienced in our hearts as we worship and glorify the Lord. Amen.

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Everlasting God, who watches over all Creation and who understands our thoughts and fears, open our hearts to Your Holy Presence and enhance our spirits to experience Your Living Power. In this sacred place of prayer, may we know Your peace. As we gather in Your Name, may we sense Your Precious Love.
People:                 Lord of all Righteousness, we confess our failings and weaknesses. We are sinful and selfish creatures. We are bitter and resentful beings. We are greedy and stubborn people. We are careless and faithless servants.
Have mercy on our souls and deliver us from Your displeasure. Forgive us and cleanse us of our past mistakes, shameful acts, and broken promises, through the sacrifice and blood of Jesus, our Lord. Hear us now as we personally pray.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Compassionate Father, we thank You for Jesus. His obedience and service, as well as His crucifixion and death have paid the penalty due for our sins. We are completely in His debt and totally grateful for His Grace.
We uplift our prayers in Christ’s Name, and through His Sacred words, we unite our hearts together, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel
Guide:                  The broken body and the lifeblood of Christ atoned for our sins and acquits us of our guilt. We are set free from God’s condemnation and given the perfect opportunity to be restored to His favor and grace. We cannot do this by ourselves, for only Jesus can completely restore us to God’s Kingdom, 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

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 God presides over our lives, sustaining our bodies, and nurturing our spirits. May He constantly defend us against disease and discomfort; may His favor grant us hope and health. In the midst of our weaknesses, may the Lord grant us His strength. When fear affects us, may He enhance our faith.
People:                 Lord, rescue us from pain and suffering; attend to our loved ones and answer all our prayers. Grant us patience and understanding. Free us from worry and reinforce us with Your peace. Heal us and all our loved ones from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and spirit. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 May the Lord positively respond and grant all of our requests. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.
(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 82)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination
Reader:                 Holy Spirit, fill us with Your sacred presence and rule our hearts and minds. Let Christ’s teaching be personally experienced by all of Your people gathered here today. In the Name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings
The Message & the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor):       Lord Jesus, Your love never fails and we are blessed by Your grace. We gather these tokens in Your Holy Name and ask for Your blessing upon them. These tithes and offerings are the gifts of grateful people. We pray that You will enable us to honor God’s Kingdom by using them to proclaim the Gospel, help the needy, and serve God’s Kingdom in this community and throughout the world. In Your Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Communion

Hymn

Benediction (unison):    May Christ enable us to honor our daily debts to Him; may the Father keep us loving one another; and may the Holy Spirit fulfill our lives through continuous service to the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and throughout eternity. Amen.


Doxology & Postlude

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