Approaching God
Welcome
and announcements
Prelude
Gathering
Song
Lighting of Advent
Candles
Herald: The Lord has done great things
for us, so our hearts are filled with love.
People: May this sacred place be filled
with gladness; may our lips sing out with joy.
Lighting of 3 candles (including Joy candle)
Herald: May Christ restore us to the
One, Triune, and Living God. May we joyfully worship Him forever. Amen.
Hymn
Prayer of Adoration
and Confession
Guide:
Everlasting God, who upholds
the universe and sets the stars on their courses, we honor and bless You with
our lips; we praise and worship You from our hearts. You know and see all
things, therefore we thank You for sharing Your wonders with us and we glorify
You for granting us a life filled with learning and love.
People: Gracious
Lord, we seek Your peace and yearn for the blessings of Your favor. We know
that we are not worthy of Your love for we are weak and sinful creatures, subject
to fear and full of sin. We acknowledge our selfish and faithless ways. We have
allowed greed to corrupt our hearts and pride to diminish our compassion. We
have neglected to help other people and have declined opportunities to witness
to Your Word. Forgive us for being fearful and timid servants. Hear us now as
we personally confess our failings.
-
SILENCE -
Guide:
Loving Lord, keep us steadfast in our faith and loyal to Your Holy Son Jesus.
He alone has provided for our salvation. He alone has the authority to forgive
our sins and restore us to Your Favor. We ask this in Jesus’ Name and through
His own precious words, we unite our hearts together, saying, “Our
Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).
Promise of the Gospel
Guide: By
accepting Jesus into our lives, we are acquitted of our sins and accepted into
God’s Kingdom. By being faithful to Christ alone, we are received into His
Spirit and He remains within us at all times. Let us rejoice and be glad for we
are a forgiven and favored people, 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:
O
Lord our God, do not keep Your distance or remain inactive when we pray to You
for healing.
In
the midst of our troubles, calm our souls and strengthen our hearts, O God. When
things become chaotic and fearful in our lives, be our shield and firm
foundation.
People:
Lord, when we face disease
and discomfort, pain and sickness, be our Comforter, Healer and Savior. When
fears overcome our families and despair attacks our friends, bring them
assurance, peace, and love. By Your Power, Lord, heal us and all our loved ones
from all that harms the body, mind, heart, and spirit. Hear us now as we
silently pray.
Silent
Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit
Pastor:
O
LORD our God, You alone are the Most High over all the Earth. In Jesus’ Name,
we pray. Amen.
(Healing
Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 83)
Singing
of ‘Sanctuary.’
Prayer for
Illumination
Reader:
Holy Spirit, call us to account for all that
we do today. Let these sacred scriptures fill our hearts and minds, so that we
can apply the challenges and lessons Christ gives to us this very day. 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, through the giving of our tithes and offering, You enable us to fulfill
the life, work, and ministry of our church. You know all that God requires us
to do and You also know that we have been given all of the resources of time,
talents, and money to fully support and enhance Your mission for this church.
Help us to cheerfully give of ourselves and our assets to You. In Your Holy
Name. Amen.
Hymn
Benediction
(unison): May Christ help us to love one another; may the Father enable us to
care for one another; and may the Holy Spirit equip us to support and bless one
another; in the Name of the One, Triune, and Living God forevermore. Amen.
Doxology
& Postlude
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