Approaching God
Welcome & Announcements
Prelude
Call to Worship
Pastor: Give thanks to the LORD, call upon His Name; make known among the nations what He has done.
People: We will sing to God and praise Him; we will tell of all His wonderful deeds.
Pastor: Let us glorify His Holy Name; let us seek the LORD and rejoice! Amen.
First Hymn
Prayers of Adoration and Confession
Guide: God of all ages, we come before You as servants and seekers, looking to Your Spirit for wisdom and guidance. We are called to be worshippers of Your Ways and witnesses of Your Holy Name. You have gathered us in this place of praise and prayer; You have led us into Your sanctuary of salvation and peace.
People: Gracious Father, we know that we are not worthy of such blessings. We regret our past mistakes, our personal sins, and foolish choices. We humbly ask that You hear us when we make these confessions to You. Within our hearts and minds, we silently express our need to be forgiven. Hear us now as we confess our sins to You alone.
- Silent Confessions -
Guide: Almighty God, we need Your pardon and seek Your grace. We appeal to Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior, whose sacrifice has paid for our mistakes and whose authority redeems our lives. In His Holy Name, we make these petitions and prayers. By His sacred words, we now pray together, saying, “Our Father...THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).
Promise of the Gospel
Guide: Christ forgives us through His grace and mercy. We are no longer condemned, but we are challenged to change our lives and end our sinful ways. Through Christ's teaching and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can renew our faith and restore our relationship to God, 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.
Choir Anthem
Family Sermon (parents and all children, including Elementary school students, come forward)
After sermon, children leave for enrichment programs.
Encountering God
Prayers for Health and Healing
Pastor: Great is the LORD, who is worthy of all praise. His mighty ways can never be fully explained, nor entirely understood. Throughout the generations, we have commended the work of the LORD and continue to proclaim His loving deeds. We appeal to His splendor and majesty, seeking to benefit from His mercy and healing. Let us humbly ask to experience His powerful presence in our lives, and to personally know of His powerful work.
People: Lord God, let us celebrate Your abundant goodness through our healing. Deliver us and all our loved ones from anything that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul. May we experience Your grace and compassion. May You accept our prayers and pacify our souls. Hear us now as we inwardly pray.
Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit.
Pastor: The Lord is good to all. He has compassion on all that He has made. In Jesus' Name, we thankfully pray. Amen.
Singing of "Sanctuary."
Prayer of Illumination
Reader: Holy Spirit, refresh our souls and inspire our minds with God's message today. Bring us before the Living Presence of the Eternal One, through the meaning of the scriptures and the praising of God's deeds. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.
Scripture Readings
The Message
Serving God
Offering & Offertory
Dedication (unison – led by the pastor): Lord Jesus, You have instructed us through God's Holy Word and encouraged us with Your Truth. We faithfully respond by bringing to You our tithes and offerings, resources and gifts. Take these tokens and bless them for the life, ministry, and work of Your church, both here at Erin, and throughout the entire world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.
Closing Hymn
Benediction(unison): May Christ share His everlasting love in our lives; may the Father bless us favorably each and every day; and may the Holy Spirit strengthen our faith in the One, Triune, and Living God, forever and ever. Amen.
Doxology & Postlude
