Aaron's Beard - Sunday Worship Prayers

Sunday Prayers for Ordinary 5 - February 05

2012-01-30T07:52:00.000-08:00

Approaching God

Prelude

Welcome and announcements

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Pastor: May the LORD teach us His ways; may we keep His word throughout our lives.

People: God grants us meaning and purpose, when we obey Him and praise His deeds.

Pastor: May the LORD direct us as we delight in worshipping and glorifying His Name. Amen.

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide: Sovereign Lord, we gather here in Your sacred House of Prayer and come to honor Your authority over all Creation. We seek to please You with our praises and want to serve You with our worship.

People: Merciful Father, we are ashamed of our past sins and sorry for our continual mistakes. We regret being selfish and tarnishing our lives with foolish choices. Instead of finding joy in Your salvation, we fret over our failures. Instead of trusting Your strength, we weaken our faith through being proud and angry, bitter and self-centered. Forgive us for ignoring Your guidance and influence over our lives. Hear us now as we humbly pray.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing us to confess our sins; for granting us mercy, and for giving us Your Son, Jesus Christ, as our One, True and Holy Savior. In His Hands, we place our souls; in His Name, we make our confessions, and in His words we continue to pray, saying, "Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide: The world questions who Jesus was, but we know that He is all that He ever claimed to be. He is the Holy Son of God, the Savior of our souls, and the Ruler of the Universe. By Him, we are granted forgiveness and through Him, we can receive eternal life. Let us rejoice and worship Christ, 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

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: How long, O God, will we experience sickness and pain? How long will we endure illness and anxiety? How long must we wrestle with our worries, and find sadness in our hearts? How long shall we strive and be subjected to stress?

People: Look upon on us, O LORD, our God, and mercifully answer us. Lighten our loads and save us from despair. When our hopes seem to fail, heal our hurts. When we falter through fear, restore our faith.

Pastor: O Lord, we will trust in Your unfailing love; we will rejoice in Your salvation. Come among us, Gracious God, and be present with our loved ones. Heal us from all that harms us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit.

Pastor: We will praise the Lord, for He has been good to us. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 13)

Unison singing of “Jesus Draw Me Close.”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader: Holy Spirit, each time we visit God's House, we learn more about the truth of Jesus Christ. His words and ways come to us across the centuries, from the events and experiences of His amazing Earthly Life. Open our hearts and minds, our spirits and souls to Him today. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, You come among us and grant us Your peace. You forgive our sins and restore us to God's love. In response, we give our lives to You, and we ask that You will bless them, so that we may honor God throughout our days. We also bring before You our tithes and gifts. Bless these tokens of our gratitude to the continuing life, work, and mission of Your Church on Earth, in this community, and all over the world. In Your Precious Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Communion

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ continue to help us as He intercedes for us; may the Father keep us thankful for the favors He grants us each day; and may the Holy Spirit guide us as we worship, serve, and glorify the One, Triune and Living God, both now and forevermore. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Worship Prayers - Ordinary 2 - Jan 15

2012-01-10T07:36:00.000-08:00

Approaching God

Prelude

Welcome and Announcements

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Pastor: Let us praise the Lord for every good thing He brings into our lives.

People: May He open our eyes that we may see His glorious deeds; may He open our hearts that we may truly worship Him.

Pastor: May our souls be consumed with His love; may our spirits delight in His presence. Amen.

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide: Almighty Father, each week we collectively worship in Your Holy House; each day, we walk in Your Holy Presence. You have given us life and granted us faith. You have blessed us with hope and filled us with Your love.

People: Gracious God, our sins create a wall between us; our faithless ways separate us from Your sacred and holy kingdom. We are sorry for our past mistakes and personal failings. We regret allowing temptation to overcome our spirits, causing our faith to collapse, and our souls to be damaged. Hear us now as we silently and sorrowfully make our confessions to You.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Everlasting God, we owe everything to You, especially our salvation. You have given Jesus as the joy of our lives and the Savior of our souls. Without His grace, our faith is groundless; without His mercy, our lives are meaningless. We therefore pledge our hearts to Christ our King and seek to serve Him all of our days. In His sacred words, we continue to pray saying, "Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD'S PRAYER" (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide: Jesus teaches us that unless we believe in Him, we will die in our sins. Because we have come to Him today, to seek His pardon and to look for His mercy, Jesus receives our confessions and restores us to God's pleasure. Let us rejoice in Christ, for He is our Eternal Savior and King, both now and forever. Amen.

Gloria Patri (sung 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

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: In the Lord, we will take our refuge. In His love, we will be encouraged and endure. The Lord sees our trouble and knows of our afflictions. He confronts our fears and seeks to calm our worries.

People: Sometimes Lord, our faith is assailed by sickness and our doubts cause us to question You; please hear our prayers and listen to our pleas. From on high, You watch over us. You examine our plight and understand our pain.

Pastor: God knows His people and He preserves us. He alone has the power to heal us with peace, strength, and love. O Lord, we bring before You our prayers for healing. Come amongst us and touch us with Your loving hands. Be with our loved ones and heal them from all that harms them. Hear us now as we pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit.

Pastor: The Lord is righteous and He loves justice. He hears our prayers in Jesus' Name. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 11)

Singing of “Jesus Draw Me Close.”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader: Holy Spirit, we have heard that Christ has the words of eternal life and that He is the true source of all that can nourish our souls, and spirits. Let His words and ways enter our hearts and minds, so that we may accept and apply His Gospel teaching each day of our lives. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, You built Your church upon the faith and experiences of all Your followers. Today, we are the heirs of Your ways and the messengers of Your words. Take our tithes and gifts and bless them for the continuing work of Your church here in this place, this nation, and throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we faithfully give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ remain within our hearts and encourage us each day; may the Father enable us to depend upon His blessings; and may the Holy Spirit raise and enhance our faith, so that we may cheerfully, lovingly and thankfully serve the One, Triune and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology May God's Blessing & Postlude

Sunday Worship Prayers - Christmas 1 - Jan 01

2011-12-27T06:56:00.000-08:00

Approaching God

Prelude

Welcome and Announcements

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Pastor: Blessed is the Lord, whose ways are blameless, and in whose path, we joyfully walk.

People: We will praise the Lord with all of our hearts; we will humbly serve Him with our lives.

Pastor: The Lord will not forsake us; He will lead us throughout our days and years on Earth. Amen.

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide: Almighty God, who knows all of our ways and who understands every worry in our hearts, be near to us in this New Year and lead us by Your mercy and grace. Time makes no difference to You, nor can You cannot be bound by any limitation. We worship Your holy and awesome works; we acknowledge Your Sovereignty over all the Universe.

People: Gracious Father, we are sometimes fearful of the days to come and of the things that we have still to experience. When our faith is weak, be our strength. When our hope is diminished, be our help. Forgive us for failing to honor You with our lives and for neglecting to help others with our resources. Pardon us for participating in sins of selfishness and greed, pride and prejudice, as well as arrogance and indifference. Hear us now as we inwardly confess our sins to You.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Living Lord, You confront our sinful selves and challenge our wasteful lives. You gave us Jesus to be our Savior. You sacrificed Your Son to grant us forgiveness and everlasting life. We are unworthy of Your grace and we depend upon Christ to restore us to Your favor. In His Name, we make these confessions and continue to pray in His words saying, “Our Father, Who art in Heaven...THE LORD'S PRAYER.” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide: Jesus invites us to come to Him, to receive the blessings of forgiveness and to be reclaimed for the kingdom of God. Without His invitation, we cannot go to be with Him. Without His everlasting mercy, we cannot enter the presence of God. So let us humbly rejoice and be truly thankful that Christ is our Lord and immortal King. Amen.

Gloria Patri (sung 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

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: Lord, we will praise You with all of our hearts; we will tell of all Your wonders. We will be glad and rejoice in You; we will sing praise to Your Name, O Lord Most High.

People: We pray that You will uphold our petitions and listen to our prayers. We ask for Your help and look to You for healing. You are a refuge for all those who are weary and worried, who are anxious and alarmed. Grant us peace and patience, health and wholeness.

Pastor: Almighty God, we place our trust in You, for we know that You never forsake those who seek You. Heal us and all our loved ones from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit.

Pastor: We will sing praises to the Lord and proclaim to our people all the great things He has done. In Jesus' Name, we ask. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 9)

Singing of “Jesus Draw Me Close.”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader: Holy Spirit, grant us wisdom through these sacred words. Help us to receive Christ's message and apply His teachings into acts of goodwill that will bring blessings to other people. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, according to the Scriptures, You were buried and on the third day, God raised You from death to eternal life. Ever since, You have been the One, True Hope for all our people and the Savior of all our souls. Take these tithes and offerings that we gladly bring before You. We pray that You will accept them for the continuing ministry of the Gospel in our church, community and throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we cheerfully give and pray. Amen.

Communion

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ's hope remain firm in each of our lives; may the Father continue to share His blessings amongst us; and may the Holy Spirit increase our comfort and joy in the One, Triune and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology May God's Blessing & Postlude

Christmas Day Worship Service (2011)

2011-12-21T11:27:00.000-08:00

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Call to Worship

Pastor: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever.

People: The LORD is with us, we will not be afraid. We will take our refuge in Him.

Pastor: God is our strength and song; His Son, born among us this day, has become our salvation!

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide: Gracious Lord, whose works of salvation have been revealed to us through prophets and seers, holy leaders and visionaries, we give You thanks, this Christmas, for Your wonderful gifts of mercy and grace. We praise You for the promise of Your Son, who came into the world, to save us from sin and to restore us to Your blessed favor and everlasting love.

People: Heavenly Father, we confess that we have made foolish choices and still neglect to do what is right. We have permitted pride to harden our hearts and we have allowed greed to diminish our compassion. We are guilty of giving in to temptation and surrendering to selfish ways. We are sorry for our past mistakes and regret disappointing You and our loved ones. Hear us now as we confess our sins to You.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Almighty God, You sent Jesus into our world, not just to be the Messiah of His people, but to become the Savior of all our souls. His perfection purchased our salvation. His sacrifice atoned for all our mistakes. Through Jesus, we are given the promises of complete forgiveness and everlasting life. We worship Him and through His holy words, we continue to pray, saying, "Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD’S PRAYER" (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide: When Christ came to us, He revealed the true way to salvation. Ever since His Birth, humanity has been given the opportunity of following Christ and accepting Him as Lord. By confessing our mistakes solely to Him and placing our spirits into His hands, we are putting our faith in His words and acts. So, let us rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for Jesus has restored us to God, both now and forever. Amen.

Gloria Patri (sung 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, You are majestic and glorious. Your powerful presence permeates throughout the whole Earth. You are truly worshipped among all our people. Infants and adults, youth and seniors are praising Your Name all over the world

People: When we consider Your mighty works of creation, and see all that You have set in place, we confidently pray to You for health, wholeness, and healing.

What are we, Lord, that You are mindful of our weaknesses and failings? Why are we so privileged to receive Your blessings of love, mercy, and strength?

Pastor: Although we are lowly and frail, finite and made of flesh, You bless us with salvation and deliverance, glory and honor. We place our lives, and those of all our loved ones into Your hands. We ask that You will heal us of all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit.

Pastor: O LORD, our God, how majestic is Your Name in all the Earth and how blessed we are in Jesus' Name. Amen. (Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 8)

Unison Singing of “Jesus Draw Me Close.”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader: Holy Spirit, through the message of the sacred scriptures, we know that God is with us and that we are called to serve Jesus Christ. Empower us by His teaching and inspire us through the events of His Precious Life. In Christ's Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, You came into the world to die for our sins. Throughout the ages, the Church has passed on that message of eternal hope through the ministries and missions that You have established. Today, we gather before You our tithes and offerings. We pray that You will bless them for the continuing work of Your Kingdom and the spreading of Your Living Gospel. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ continue to comfort us in the midst of our troubles and distress; may the Father keep us patient through all that we endure; and may the Holy Spirit grant us the strength to overcome our sufferings, so that we may joyfully serve and worship the One, Triune and Living God forevermore. Amen.

Doxology May God's Blessing & Postlude

Christmas Eve Worship Outline 2011

2011-12-21T11:24:00.000-08:00

Prelude

Lighting of the Christ Candle

Carol O Come, All Ye Faithful #41

Reading Isaiah 9: 2-7

Prayer

Carol Hark the Herald Angels Sing #31

Reading Luke 1:26-38

Lighting of Blue Christmas Candle

Carol O Little Town of Bethlehem #44

Reading Matthew 1:18-25

Anthem:

Reading Luke 2:1-7

Prayer and candle for our troops and their families

Carol Away in a Manger #25

Reading Luke 2:8-20

Anthem:

Homily

Offering

Offertory

Reading John 1:1-9

Candle Lighting & Carol Silent Night, Holy Night #60

Postlude

At Home Christmas Day Family Worship

2011-12-19T09:54:00.000-08:00

At Home Family Worship Service for Christmas Day

With Christmas taking place on Sunday this year, some families are choosing to stay at home to be with their loved ones. The following is a short worship service that can be conducted at home during the traditional worship hour.

(Make copies for all of your family members to follow the worship and also have a candle to light at the beginning. You will need a Guide and a Reader from your family group to lead the service. Gather as a group around a small decorated table, possibly with a nativity scene, as well as a candle to light).

Call to Worship

Guide: Today we remember that Jesus was born in Bethlehem and that He became the Light of the World and the Savior of our souls.

All: We ask Christ to bless us this day and we praise Him for His Love which brightens the whole world.

(A candle is lit)

All: O Lord, May Your Light shine among us and Your Love bless our hearts. Amen.

Adoration and Confession Prayer

Guide: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the wonderful promises that were fulfilled when Jesus came to the Earth. We praise You for His amazing Life and sacred teaching that has given everlasting hope and joy to the whole world.

All: We know that we are unworthy to receive such blessings because we are selfish and sinful. We thank You that by Your Grace, we are forgiven of the past and restored to Your Love forever. In Your Holy Name, we cheerfully pray. Amen.

Reading: Luke 2: 4-15

Reader: (4-5) So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

All: (6-7) While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Reader: (8-9) And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

All: (10-11) But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

Reader: (12-14) This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

All: (15) When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

Amen and thanks be to God for His Holy Word.

Carol: First verse of ‘Away in a Manger.’

Away in a manger, no crib for His bed,

The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head.

The stars in the sky looked down where He lay,

The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.

Prayer for the World

Guide: Lord Jesus, we ask that You continue to be the Light of our world and that Your Church on Earth continues to fulfill Your work around the globe.

All: We pray for those who are hungry and homeless at this time. We ask that You enable Your people like us to help them whenever, wherever, and however we can.

Guide: We pray for those who are ill and weak, lonely and lost, grieving and sad. Comfort them and heal them. Embrace them and encourage them.

All: We pray for Your Peace to be known in our hearts and homes, in our country and throughout the nations. May Your Love direct our decisions and Your Light guide our ways. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Share the Peace of Christ with one another.

Carol: 2nd verse of ‘O Come All Ye Faithful.’

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, Born this happy morning,

Jesus, to Thee be all glory given;

Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing!

O come, let us adore Him

O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord!

Benediction

All: May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God, and the Presence of the Holy Spirit be with us now and forevermore. Amen.

End the service by extinguishing the candle

Sunday Worship Prayers - Advent 4 - Fourth in Advent - Dec 18

2011-12-14T11:56:00.000-08:00

Approaching God

Welcome and announcements

Prelude

Call to Light the Advent Wreath

Family: The season of Advent continues. Today we shall be lighting the candle of love.

Congregation: No other word so completely describes what we know of our God. For God so loved the world that a child was given....God's love in human form.

Family: We wait in hope and peace, and with joy.

The two purple candles and the pink candle are lit

Family: We light the candle of love to proclaim that God's love is revealed in the Child born in Bethlehem.

Congregation: We are challenged to proclaim and
reveal that same love as we live out our faith here in this area.

The purple candle is lit

Family: We give thanks for a love that passes our human understanding.

Congregation: We await once more the birth of God's enduring love this Christmas. In Christ’s Sacred Name, we hope, wait, love, and pray. Amen

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide: Heavenly Father, we gather as Your people and children, seeking to delight You with our prayers and music, as well as our praises and worship. We come before You as humble servants, thankful for our lives and grateful for Your blessings.

People: Merciful Lord, we know that we are sometimes rebellious and wayward, and that we do not make the best choices each day. We confess that we are sometimes unwilling to listen to Your words and constantly ignore Your commands. We are guilty of being unholy and unfaithful, unworthy and ungodly. We keep allowing pride and prejudice, anger and greed, arrogance and envy to diminish our faith and contaminate our souls. Hear us now as we make our sorrowful confessions to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Loving Father, You gave Jesus to us to become our only Savior and Perfect Redeemer. He can save us from our sins and restore us to Your grace. We ask for Your mercy in His Name. Without Christ's power, we would be doomed forever. Without His love, we would be eternally lost. In His precious words, we continue our prayers, saying, "Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD’S PRAYER" (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide: Christ taught us everything about God's grace and offered Himself as the Supreme Sacrifice for all of our sins. Death cannot seize us forever, for we have been liberated by Christ's blood and reinstated to God's pleasure, both now and forever. Amen.

Gloria Patri (sung 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

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: O Lord, our God, we take refuge in You; save and deliver us from all that harms us. When pain reduces us to tears, or fear overwhelms our souls, grant us comfort and peace.

People: O Lord, if we have brought harm and suffering upon ourselves, grant us mercy and relief. When we seek peace of mind and strength to overcome weariness, be near to us, O Lord.

Pastor: O Lord God Most High, You are the shield of our hearts and the sustainer of our lives. Hear our pleas for healing and bestow upon our loved ones health and wholeness, recovery and restoration. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit.

Pastor: We will give thanks to God for His righteousness and give praise to the Lord Most High. In Jesus' Name, we make these prayers. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 7)

Singing of “Jesus Draw Me Close.”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader: Holy Spirit, we are heirs to the Lord's covenant and His chosen people. Let these sacred words penetrate our hearts and minds, so that our spirits and souls may be strengthened through the teaching, love and grace of Christ. In His Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, we are saved through Your Gospel when we firmly hold to the words You have preached. Strengthen our beliefs and personal commitment to You. Take these tithes and gifts for the service of the Kingdom, the preaching of Your Word and the glorifying of God's Name. In Your Presence, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ flow into our lives and enhance our faith; may the Father comfort and strengthen us every day; and may the Holy Spirit empower and enable us to worship and witness to the One, True and Living God, both now and forevermore. Amen.

Doxology May God's Blessing & Postlude

Sunday Worship Prayers - Advent 3 - Third in Advent - Dec 11

2011-12-05T10:52:00.000-08:00

Approaching God

Welcome and announcements

Prelude

Call to Light the Advent Wreath

Family: Today - the third Sunday in Advent, we hear from the writer of the Psalm and the prophet Isaiah.
Congregation: We hear of a world where even the desert sings, rejoices and blossoms.

Family: A world where eyes will see and ears will hear; where everyone will want to dance and sing for joy. We watch and wait for these signs of the in-breaking of God's kingdom.
Congregation: We wait in hope and peace, and with joy.

(Two purple candles are relit)

Family: The God in whom we rejoice, prepares our hearts for the coming of the Lord. We light the candle of joy.

(The pink candle is lit)

Family: God of grace and truth, may our spirits rejoice in the forthcoming birth of Christ, our Savior, in whom we are privileged to experience Your mercy and see Your glory.

Congregation: May this house of prayer become a sanctuary of joy. May our hearts and spirits be lifted up through the praising and glorifying of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who is yet to come amongst us again. Amen.

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide: Almighty God, whose words of hope have been written across the universe as signatures of Your salvation and guarantees of Your grace, we rejoice at being in Your presence and are glad to worship You.

You know all things and see the years yet to come, therefore we acknowledge Your authority over our lives and proclaim You as Sovereign over all creation.

People: Gracious Father, we confess our selfish feelings and faithless ways. We regret our past mistakes and sinful deeds. Instead of wanting to witness to Your glorious kingdom, we waste our lives on fulfilling our own desires. Forgive us for casting You aside when we make important decisions. Forgive us for casting others aside when they need our help. And pardon us for setting aside Your commands when we are under pressure, deeply troubled, or worried. Hear us now as we make our confessions to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Compassionate Father, without Your mercy, we would meander through life and drift into the darkness of death without any hope. Because of Your Son Jesus and through His sacrifice, we can be redeemed from our sins and restored to Your kingdom. We praise You for sending Jesus into the world and for giving Him authority over our lives. In His Name, we offer our confessions and with His own words we continue to pray, saying, “Our Father...” THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide: Christ came to reveal to us the mercy of God and to grant us the opportunity of being restored to His Father. He alone can bring us this everlasting hope, and in Him, we can find eternal salvation. So let us praise our Savior's Name, both now and forever. Amen.

Gloria Patri(sung 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

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: Be merciful to us, O Lord, in the midst of our troubles. Heal us from all that harms us. When we get anxious about our lives, grant us peace. When we become impatient with our issues, grant us strength.

People: Turn to us, O Lord, and deliver us; save us because of Your unfailing love. When we are worn out from worrying, and crushed by our concerns, take us by the hand and help us to overcome our fears.

Pastor: When we are weak with sorrow and beset with problems, have mercy on us, O Lord. We bring before You all our loved ones, who need Your strength and compassion, Your care and healing. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit.

Pastor: The Lord has heard our cries for healing. The Lord accepts our prayers. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 6)

Singing of “Jesus Draw Me Close.”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader: Holy Spirit, we have come to worship God in this holy place and we seek to become His servants. As we hear these sacred words, open our hearts and minds, as well as our spirits and souls to Christ’s teaching. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The message and the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, You brought to us the Gospel and now welcome us into God's Kingdom. You empower us to serve You and to use our gifts to glorify Your ways. Take our tithes and offerings, and bless them for the holy work of Your Church on Earth. In Your Sacred Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ continue to comfort us in the midst of our troubles; may the Father embrace us each and every day; and may the Holy Spirit empower us to share these blessings with others, to the glory of the One, Triune and Living God, both now and forevermore. Amen.

Doxology May God's Blessing & Postlude

Sunday Worship Prayers - Advent 2 - Second in Advent - Dec 4

2011-11-30T08:58:00.000-08:00

Approaching God

Welcome and announcements

Prelude

Call to Light the Advent Wreath

Family: Today - the second Sunday in Advent - we hear about Isaiah's
vision of a new and transformed world.
Congregation: A world where all creatures live together in harmony and peace.

Family: We wait with hope for this vision to become reality.
Congregation: The God of hope fills us with joy and peace in believing. We light the candle of hope.

(The first purple candle is relit)

Family: We proclaim our belief in God's faithfulness in keeping promises, as we light the candle of peace.

( A second purple candle is lit)

Family: God of all faithfulness - Isaiah's vision paints a picture of a world shaped in accordance with Your will and Your design.

Congregation: He tells of One so enlightened by your Spirit that he would open eyes and ears and hearts to a new understanding of your will and your design for the world. Isaiah described the one for whom the people waited - the Messiah .

Family: We wait also, but we wait in the joyful knowledge that the Messiah has come in the form of your beloved Son.

Congregation: We wait in faith, praying that through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus - Prince of Peace - will be born anew in our hearts and in our lives. Amen

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide: Everlasting Lord and God of all the Universe, who calls us each by name, we offer You our devotion and pledge to You our hearts. Almighty Father, who helps the powerless and supports the weak, we worship Your holy ways and glorify Your loving deeds.

People: Merciful Lord, we know that we are utterly dependent upon You to sustain our lives, yet we humbly confess that we often take You for granted and frequently try to cast You aside. When we take Your name in vain, or choose to neglect our neighbor's need, or decide to hate our enemies, please forgive us. When we place ourselves at the center of our lives, or selfishly seek to satisfy our sinful desires, or forget to honor Your Son, pardon our mistakes. Hear us now as we humbly confess our faults to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Loving Father, left to ourselves, we would do nothing about our need to repent, nor would we change our lives. You Son Jesus challenges our ways and offers us the opportunity to be forgiven of our sins and restored to Your favor. Therefore, in His precious Name, we make these confessions and continue to pray in His own words, saying, “Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide: Christ came into the world, to reconcile all things to Himself, and to witness to God's everlasting grace. He alone is the Savior of our souls and the Redeemer of the Earth. Let us rejoice and be glad in Him, 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

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: Give ear to our words, O Lord, consider our feelings and prayers. Listen to our cries and pleas for help, for You are our King and God.

People: This morning, O Lord, we lay our requests before You and wait in expectation. We have come into Your house seeking mercy; in reverence we bow before Your presence and ask for healing.

Pastor: Help us to release our prayers to You and to put all that concerns us into Your hands. Lead us O Lord, in Your righteousness. Make plain Your ways before us, as we pray for our loved ones and ourselves. Heal us from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit.

Pastor: We will take refuge in the Lord and be glad. May He bless us with His favor and love. In Christ's Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 5)

Singing of ‘Jesus Draw Me Close.’

Prayer of Illumination

Reader: Holy Spirit, may God speak to us through these sacred words. May we become familiar with His ways and honor the teachings of His Son. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, You call upon us to do everything in a fit and orderly way. We bring before You our tithes and offerings, praying that they may be given to Your service and dedicated for Your work by this congregation. Take these gifts, and our lives, for the glory of God's Kingdom and the life, ministries and missions which You ask us to undertake, accomplish and fulfill. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Communion

Closing Hymn:

Benediction(unison): May our Lord Jesus Christ bring us closer to the Father of all compassion; may the Holy Spirit lead us each day to the One, Triune and Everlasting God of all comfort, joy, and love, both now and forever. Amen.

Doxology May God's Blessing & Postlude

Advent Clip art: Free advent art

2011-11-24T20:52:00.000-08:00

Here are four clip images that I've drawn for Advent Bulletins

You can also find all four in larger versions at the following facebook link:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150368100662109.346523.525292108&type=1&l=babd9171df

Sunday Worship Prayers - Advent 1 - First in Advent - Nov 27

2011-11-22T10:52:00.000-08:00

Approaching God

Prelude

Welcome and Announcements

Gathering Song

Lighting of Advent Candle

Family: Today, the prophet Isaiah describes a future shaped by peace for all nations as they walk in the light of the Lord. We wait in hope for this prophecy to be fulfilled.
Congregation: We light the candle of hope to proclaim that God's light is coming into the world

A purple candle is lit.

Family: God of all nations - You spoke to Isaiah and You empowered him to speak welcome words of peace and hope to the people of his time.

Congregation: We need to hear Your word anew to us today as the darkness of despair is still experienced wherever peace and hope are absent.

Family: Strengthen us with the power of the Holy Spirit so that we may be Your prophets in this day and age - teaching Your ways to release people from darkness through words and work of love, peace, and justice.
Congregation: In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide: Divine Maker of all creatures and Mighty Sustainer of every life, we humbly bow before Your holy presence and peacefully place our lives into Your hands. Living God, who knows all of our ways and whose love has never let us go, we gather together as one people, who are thankful for Your blessings and grateful for Your goodness.

People: Gracious Lord, in the midst of our hardships and distress, we sometimes make rash and selfish decisions. We allow fear and anxiety, anger and pride to undermine our faith and diminish our devotion to You. When we treasure our troubles or nurse our wrath, when we gloat over other people's mistakes or neglect to help those in need, forgive us and pardon our sins. Here us now as we personally pray to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Almighty God, You have given us Jesus to be our Burden Bearer and Sin Receiver. He has borne Your wrath and endured the punishment due for our sins. He alone has the power to free us from our unprofitable and unworthy ways. Without Jesus, we have no everlasting hope. Without His mercy and grace, we have no future life in eternity. In His Name, we bring our confessions and continue to pray in His precious words, saying, “Our Father...THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide: The Law of God demands justice and punishment for our sins. Jesus is our only Redeemer and His testimony before God, on our behalf, releases us from oblivion, and restores us to the everlasting favor of God. To Christ, be glory, thanksgiving, and power, both now and forever. Amen.

Gloria Patri(sung 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

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: Please answer us, when we call to You, O Righteous God. Grant us relief from our distress and hear our prayers. Forgive us, Lord, for doubting Your compassion, because of our emphatic fears and worries.

People: O Living God, be merciful and listen to our heartfelt pleas. Enable us to set aside our anxieties by trusting in Your holy power. Search our hearts and deliver us from all that stops us placing our lives into Your care.

Pastor: Help us to focus our prayers on You and to put all that concerns us into Your hands. Let the light of Your face shine upon us and all our loved ones, O Lord. Heal all of us from everything that harms us in body, mind, heart and soul. Hear us now as we quietly pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit.

Pastor: The Lord fills our hearts with hope and joy, strength and peace. In Christ's Name, we make these prayers. Amen. (Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 4)

Singing of '"Jesus Draw Me Close."

Prayer of Illumination

Reader: Holy Spirit, let the promises of God touch our hearts and transform our lives through His Sacred Word. May Christ take possession of our minds and souls through His message and teaching. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, throughout the ages Your word has come alive in the hearts and minds of millions of people. Today, we join with them through the giving of our lives to the holy service of Your sacred kingdom. Bless the tithes and gifts that we bring before You. May they be used for the ministries and missions that You have appointed to this congregation. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ's grace be experienced by all of us and made evident in our daily lives; may the Father's peace endow our hearts with fortitude and strength; and may the Holy Spirit grant us courage and compassion, so that we may effectively witness to the One, Triune and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology May God's Blessing & Postlude

Sunday Worship Prayers - Christ the King Sunday - Nov 20

2011-11-16T06:10:00.000-08:00

Approaching God

Prelude

Welcome and Announcements

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Pastor: The LORD is exalted over all the nations, His glory above the heavens.

People: Who is like the LORD our God, the One who sits enthroned on high?

Pastor: From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the Name of the LORD is to be praised. Amen.

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide: Living Lord and Divine Creator, whose mighty deeds have delivered Your people, and whose sacred power sustains our lives; we humbly gather in Your presence to joyfully praise Your Holy Name. Your mysterious ways challenge our lives, and Your plans are never thwarted. We place our lives at Your disposal, to do Your bidding and serve Your Kingdom.

People: Heavenly Father, we confess that our sins bring shame upon us, and that our selfish mistakes damage our souls. Forgive us for choosing to do wrong, and for deserting Your commands when we seek to fulfill our own desires. Here us now as we pray.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Everlasting God, You have laid the disgrace of our deceits and the humiliation of our iniquities upon Jesus. You have made Him the scapegoat for our sins and the victim of our vices. Without His sacrifice, we would remain unforgiven. Without His suffering, we would be unsaved. In His Name , we make our confessions and continue to pray, saying, "Our Father....THE LORD’S PRAYER" (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide: Jesus judges us correctly because He knows us completely. We cannot make excuses before Him, nor can we justify our sinful choices. He alone stands with the Father, who sent Him to us. When we sincerely confess our sins to Christ and earnestly repent of our foolish ways, Jesus receives our prayers, reclaims our lost souls, and restores us to God's everlasting favor, both now and forever. Amen.

Gloria Patri (sung 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

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: King of all the nations, we come to You for healing; may our prayers not be in vain. We gather together in Your holy presence, and ask that You anoint us with Your Healing Spirit.

People: O LORD, throw off the fetters of our fears; cast aside our worries that chain us to despair. Smile upon us and bless us with Your comfort; favor us with Your grace and mercy.

Pastor: Rebuke the sicknesses in our hearts and minds; heal the injuries of our bodies and souls. Loving God, install Your holiness within us and all our loved ones. Grant us recovery and remission, strength and sustenance; health and healing. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit.

Pastor: God speaks to us and calls us His children. He hears our prayers and remains our Loving Father. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 2)

Singing of “Jesus Draw Me Close.” (twice)

Prayer of Illumination

Reader: Holy Spirit, help us to leave behind our personal issues as we approach God's sacred word. Inspire us with Christ's teaching and send us into our community with faith, hope, and love. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message and the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, we cannot ignore Your commands, nor set aside Your teaching. You claim us as Your own and we need to respect You as our Master and King. We give of our lives and resources, our tithes and offerings, asking for You to bless them, so that we may sacredly use them for the continuing ministry of Your Church in this congregation and throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ send us out into the world to do God's will; may the Father strengthen our church so that we may serve His ways; and may the Holy Spirit bind us together with all the saints to glorify, worship and praise the One, Triune and Living God forever and ever. Amen.

Doxology May God's Blessing & Postlude

Sunday Worship Prayers - Ordinary 33 - Nov 13

2011-11-09T07:48:00.000-08:00

Approaching God

Prelude

Welcome and Announcements

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Pastor: O God, You are our God, and earnestly we seek You.

People: Because Your love is better than life, our lips will glorify You.

Pastor: Let us praise God as long as we live; in His Name, let us lift up our voices.

Hymn:

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide: Living God, whose wondrous works are displayed across the Universe and whose glorious deeds will praised throughout eternity, we call upon Your Holy Name and seek Your Sacred Presence. You care for our lives and set purposes for our existence; we humbly approach Your Throne, praising Your almighty power and worshipping Your invincible ways.

People: Heavenly Father, we know that we are weak and sinful, selfish and proud, as well as being arrogant and foolish at times. We make many mistakes and choose to neglect our responsibilities. We seek to be served, instead of helping others. We want to be personally glorified, instead of bringing honor to You. Forgive us for being impertinent and impatient. Pardon us for being angry and unkind, unfaithful and unfruitful as Christians. Hear us now, as we humbly pray.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Merciful Majesty, we are eternally indebted to Your Son Jesus Christ, who died for all our sins. His sacrifice paid the price for our offenses. His death fully redeemed us forever. We are truly thankful for our Savior and in His holy words, we unite our hearts to Him, praying, "Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER." (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide: We publicly proclaim Jesus to be the Savior of our souls and the Forgiver of our sins. He is the Christ who came into the world to lay down His life, so that we may be restored to God's favor and His Kingdom forever. So let us rejoice and be eternally glad, for Jesus is our Lord, and we are called to be His own, both now and always. Amen.

Gloria Patri(sung 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.

Minute for Mission

Family Sermon (parents and all children, including Elementary school students come forward)

Encountering God

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: May Your unfailing love come to us, O Lord; may Your promised salvation heal us today. We will trust in Your words when trouble taunts us and we are faced with fear.

People: Your word of truth will be on our lips, as we place our hope in Your hands. May we always seek Your help and accept Your holy ways. Liberate us from our anxieties and cares, O Living God, for we seek Your blessing of peace and strength.

Pastor: May we delight in Your protection and may all our loved ones be touched by Your Holy Spirit, so that healing of body and soul, mind and heart, may occur at this sacred time. Hear us now as we personally pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit.

Pastor: We will lift up our hearts and glorify the Lord, whom we love. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 119:Waw)

Unison Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw Me Close.'

Prayer of Illumination

Reader: Holy Spirit, strengthen our beliefs in Christ's ministry and mission today, so that we may go forth from this place of power and prayer, ready, able and willing to serve Him by inviting, attracting and encouraging other people to come and praise His Holy name. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message and the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, bring order and peace into our lives through the praising of Your Name and the preaching of God's Word. Take our tithes and offerings for the use of Your church, and the advancement of God's Kingdom, in this community and throughout the earth. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ fill us with joy each day; may the Father continually grant us peace, as we trust in Him, and may the Holy Spirit enable us to overflow with hope to the everlasting glory of the One, Triune and Living God. Amen.

Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; etc & Postlude

Sunday Worship prayers: Ordinary 31 - October 30 - Reformation Sunday

2011-10-24T11:33:00.000-07:00

Approaching God

Prelude

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Pastor: The LORD speaks to us in our hearts. He leads us to His holy throne.

People: God extends His love to all His people. He fills our lives with faith and hope.

Pastor: The LORD calls us to worship and serve Him, as servants and believers, as disciples and followers of His way. Amen.

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide: Everlasting God, whose strength supports us and whose compassion comforts us, we offer You our hearts and pledge to You our lives. Your will sustains all living beings, and by Your Word this world was created. Today we seek to honor You with our service and please You with our praise.

People: Merciful Father, we know that we have disappointed You this week by falling into temptation, following our own desires, and failing to keep Your commands. We have rejected Your counsel and objected to Your guidance. We have placed our pride above Your purpose; we have delighted in deceit and have been distracted from our duties. Forgive us for being poor witnesses of faith, and flawed messengers of Christ. Hear us now as we silently pray.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Loving Father, each day we come to You for pardon, and each time You offer us Jesus. Without His sacrificial death, we could never experience eternal life. Without His perfect obedience, we would never know everlasting joy. We confess our sins and seek forgiveness in Christ's Name. With His own words, we continue to pray, saying, "Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD’S PRAYER" (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide: Jesus came down from Heaven to save us from our sins. He was constantly challenged and confronted by His enemies. When we sin, we oppose God, and therefore we need to be forgiven for our rebellious and disrespectful ways. Only in Christ can we find salvation; only by His Name, can we be restored to God's Kingdom. Amen.

Gloria Patri(sung 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

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: We praise God in this sanctuary; we send our prayers to Holy One in the highest heavens. We worship God for His acts of power; we seek healing and blessing from His greatness.

People: In the midst of our troubles, He hears our cries. When we are anxious or alarmed, He pacifies our souls. We come before the LORD needing help, strength, and guidance.

Pastor: O Living God, send forth Your Holy Spirit and touch our lives. When our fears clash with our faith, be near to us and comfort our spirits. We humbly ask that You will sustain our petitions and grant our pleas. Heal us and our loved ones from all that harms our bodies, minds, hearts, and souls. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit.

Pastor: Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 150)

Singing of “Jesus Draw Me Close.”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader: Holy Spirit may we listen to Christ's message from the gospel, and let His lessons be carried in our hearts from this time forth. In Jesus' Name, we ask. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, Your words inspire our faith and Your ways enhance our devotion to God. You seek to make us servants and stewards of Your Church. We offer You our tithes and gifts, our time and talents, as well as our love and lives. Bless these tokens to Your continuing ministry in this church, community and throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we serve and give. Amen.

Closing Hymn

Benediction (unison): May Christ make known to us His purpose for our lives; may the Father enable us to keep His commands each day; and may the Holy Spirit help us to share our beliefs, encouraging others to worship and obey the One, Triune and Living God, both now and forever. Amen.

Doxology May God's Blessing & Postlude

Sunday Worship Prayers - Ordinary 30 - 23 October

2011-10-19T09:42:00.000-07:00

Approaching God

Prelude

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Pastor: The LORD has saved us according to His love, therefore we will rejoice and praise Him.

People: We will greatly extol the LORD; in this sacred place, we will happily glorify Him.

Pastor: The LORD stands with us, in the midst of our troubles and needs. Let us honor and worship Him.

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide: Lord God Almighty and Strong Deliverer of Your people, we approach Your throne of grace with thanksgiving and love, loyalty and devotion. You are the Holy One who creates our lives, who builds up the nations, and who sustains the universe, therefore we gather to worship and adore You.

People: Gracious God, You offer us Your guidance and grant us Your perfect counsel, but we, as persistent sinners, continue to act without consulting You, and make choices that disappoint You. Instead of seeking Your strength, we rely upon our own. Instead of looking to You for help, we constantly follow our own understanding. We repeatedly set You aside, instead of centering You in our lives. Forgive us, Loving Father, and hear us as we confess our sins.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Everlasting God, You sent Your Son Jesus to save us from our sinful ways. His blood has atoned for all of our guilt. His death has completely purchased our salvation. We make these confessions and present these petitions in Christ's Name and, with His own words, we continue to pray, saying, “Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide: Jesus was constantly challenged to relinquish His claims and to conform to the world. Instead, He chose to follow God's bidding and completely obey His will. He earned the right to become the Savior of the world and in Him alone rests the universal authority to forgive sins and redeem sinners. Let us rejoice and be thankful for His great sacrifice and perfect obedience, which has delivered us from God's wrath and returned us to His everlasting love. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

Gloria Patri(sung 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.

Minute for Stewardship

Family Sermon (parents and all children, including Elementary school students come forward)

Encountering God

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: We have gathered in God's House; we have assembled to praise and pray to the Lord. We will rejoice in our Maker; we will have confidence in the compassion of our King.

People: We honor His Name by invoking His Spirit; we appeal to the Most High for healing. The Lord takes delight in His people; He crowns us with love and salvation.

Pastor: O Merciful God, as we seek to praise You with our hearts, listen to our pleas. We pray that You will heal us and our loved ones, that You will calm our spirits, bring peace to our minds, settle our souls, and strengthen our bodies. Hear us now as we inwardly pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit.

Pastor: May the praise of God be on our lips as He answers our prayers in Jesus' Name. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 149)

Singing of “Jesus Draw Me Close.”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader: Holy Spirit, reveal to us the Gospel truth through these sacred words of hope and love. Teach us Christ's ways and empower us to live our lives according to His message. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, we speak to You with our prayers and praises; we show our love through our service and gifts. We bring before You our tithes and offerings, and ask Your blessing upon them. Receive these tokens of our gratitude and use them for the ministry of Your word and the mission of God's Kingdom. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ reveal His unique purpose for each of our lives; may the Father make known to us all that He commands; and may the Holy Spirit build up our faith, so that we may continue to believe and obey the One, Triune and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; etc & Postlude

Midweek Worship - Oasis 01

2011-10-12T10:24:00.000-07:00

Oasis is a new worship experience at our church. Each Wednesday evening, we hold a short worship service to renew our commitment to God, to refresh our weary souls, and to recharge our spiritual batteries.

Oasis – a place to worship

the Lord and be refreshed

Jesus said: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." –Matthew 11:28-30

Worship Songs

Prayer

Father God, we worship You this evening and praise the Name of Jesus Your Son. As usual, we are always seeking your help.

When we lack energy, give us Your Spirit. When we lack discipline, grant us Your love. When we lack time, bless us with Your patience.

We have so much to do, God. Smile on our tasks. Help us to be patient with those we need to help…or at least help them to be patient with us.

Let the patience and forgiveness we receive from others equal the patience we extend to them. The world around us seems to be spinning out of control. We am worried about many things and people. Hear us now as we silently name them before You.

Silence

Be with us Lord. We go through this life as best we can and sometimes it’s just barely enough. Other times we fall seriously short of the mark. Walk with us. Make us aware of Your presence beside us throughout this week. Help us to glorify You each day. Amen

Word of God

Devotional

Quiet Time

Responsive Prayer

God, there are times when we just want to throw in the towel and give up on everything. And the week is barely half over! Help us to be kind to those who aren’t. Help us be kind to our family and friends who must live with us. Help us to be kind to those who try our patience each day.

We’re feeling overwhelmed God. Stand beside us; let us feel Your presence. Stay with us God. Get us through this crazy week. Fill our souls. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen

Worship Songs

Peace of Christ

Benediction

May Jesus allow us to come to Him each day with our burdens; may God the Father continually hear our prayers and mercifully attend to our needs; and may the Holy Spirit lead us and guide us through the rest of this week, both now and always. Amen.

Sunday Worship prayers: Ordinary 29 - October 16

2011-10-12T08:49:00.000-07:00

( This Sunday is when our congregation highlights Breast Cancer awareness. We call it "Pink Sunday." Everyone wears something pink, including the men to show our support to those who have this disease. The healing prayers reflect this)

Approaching God

Prelude

Welcome and announcements

Gathering song

Call to worship

Pastor: Let us praise the LORD among the nations; let us sing of Him among our people.

People: For great is God's love, higher than the heaven. His faithfulness reaches beyond the skies.

Pastor: We will exalt our God above the heavens. We will declare His glory over all the Earth.

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide: Everlasting Lord of the Universe, whose Name remains holy forever and whose works declare Your almighty power, we humbly approach You as servants who seek to praise Your ways. Your will sustains our planet and Your words strengthen our souls. We hope to praise and adore You by trying to live our lives according to Your commands.

People: Loving Father, sometimes we are obstinate and stubborn, selfish and sinful. We allow ourselves to be overcome by fear and anxiety, temptation and desire. Forgive us for carrying out plans that do not have Your blessing and for choices that are sinful. Hear us now as we confess our failings to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Merciful God, through Your Son Jesus Christ, we are restored to Your love and favor. Through His supreme sacrifice and by the power of His atoning blood, we are forgiven. Hear our prayers, given to You in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, in whose words we continue to pray, saying, "Our Father, Who art in Heaven...THE LORD’S PRAYER" (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide: Jesus came from God to bring us the Good News. He laid down His life, so that we could be raised up above our sinful nature and be restored to God's holiness. So let us rejoice in His coming among us, both in the past and in the Sacred Day yet to come. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

Gloria Patri(sung 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. Children leave for Enrichment and Planet Worship programs)

Encountering God

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: We praise You, O Lord, that we are living in a time when more people are becoming aware of breast cancer and are seeking to prevent it from progressing among us. We glorify You for the many women of the past who, through their courage and goodness, their sacrifice and persistence, have given us much medical knowledge and specialized treatments that are helping our people to turn the tide and win the battle against this disease.

People: O Lord, through our cancer treatment centers, support organizations like Susan G Komen, educational programs and medical specialists, You have brightened the hopes and lengthened the years of those who have breast cancer. Each day, You bring us one step nearer to finding a cure and defeating this disease. We thank You for the dedicated women and men who have devoted their minds and hearts, bodies and souls to this important cause. We ask that You will bless their efforts and bring fruit to their labors.

Pastor: O Lord, we thank You for the great things that are presently being accomplished in this field of medical science, treatment and cure. We lift up to You those among us who are breast cancer survivors and we praise You for their important part in discovering new ways to treat this disease and overcome it forever. In silence, we also remember our sisters and brothers from the past who have pioneered many programs and given us much knowledge from their own experiences of this cancer. Hear us now as we honor them in our hearts and recall them in our minds.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A pink candle is lit.

Pastor: We remain confident, Lord, in the blessings yet to come and the cures that are soon to be discovered. We place all of our lives, our families and friends, our supporters and survivors into Your precious hands of care, compassion, and cure. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen

Singing of “Jesus Draw Me Close.”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader: Holy Spirit, help us to look and listen intently at these scriptures, so that we may receive them gladly in our minds. Let us find the face of Christ in these holy words and reflect upon the challenges He makes to our lives. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, You ask us to submit to Your ways and to place our lives into Your hands. You speak to our hearts in mysterious ways, and prompt us to give our tithes and offerings to Your Church. Take these tokens of our devotion and gratitude, so that we may turn them into gospel deeds of preaching, teaching and healing, both in our community and throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ establish His Gospel within our hearts, so that we may proclaim His work each day; may the Father reveal to us His purposes and help us devote our lives to Him; and may the Holy Spirit grant us the courage to publicly profess our faith in the One, Triune and Living God, both now and forever. Amen.

Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; etc & Postlude

Advent Devotions for Kindle: Preparing the Way by John Stuart

2011-10-10T10:59:00.000-07:00

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Sunday Worship Prayers: Ordinary 28 - October 9

2011-10-04T08:16:00.001-07:00

Approaching God

Prelude

Welcome & Announcements

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Pastor: Let us give thanks to the Lord for His goodness and grace.

People: His love and kingdom endure forever.

Pastor: He has redeemed and gathered us as His people. Let us worship and praise His name.

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration & Confession

Guide: Almighty Father and Ruler of all Creation, You have called us to Your House of Prayer and we have gathered in Your Sacred Presence. We have come to honor Your deeds and glorify Your greatness throughout the Earth.

People: Gracious God, we are wayward in spirit and prone to being proud, selfish, and sinful. We lead lives that are sometimes inconsistent with our faith; we make choices that frequently challenge Your sovereignty. Instead of pursuing Your ways, we follow our own sinful desires. Instead of accepting Your authority, we complain about Your commands. Forgive us for being stubborn and foolish, as well as being rebellious and resentful. Hear us now as we confess our sins.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Loving Father, we have no Savior except Jesus. We have no hope of forgiveness, except what Christ has given to us. He alone cleanses our past mistakes. He alone restores us to Your favor. We make these prayers and petitions, these pleas and confessions in His name. Through His own words, we now continue to pray, saying, "Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD’S PRAYER" (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide: Christ challenges us to accept His teachings. The scriptures witness to us by revealing Jesus as our Savior and testifying to the fact that He is the Holy Son of God. When we submit our hearts and minds to Him, and place our souls into His hands, He can forgive our mistakes and restore us to God everlasting 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)

Children leave for enrichment at conclusion

Encountering God

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: How good it is to bring our prayers before the Lord; how fitting it is to ask for healing. The Lord builds us up through His grace; He gathers us to ask for His blessings.

People: The Lord heals the brokenhearted and binds up our wounds. The Lord determines the number of our days and calls us each by name.

Pastor: Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding of our worries and concerns is complete. O Lord, sustain us and all our loved ones. Cast Your care upon us and heal us from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul. Hear us now as we inwardly pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit.

Pastor: We will praise the Lord with thanksgiving. We will be glad and rejoice in Jesus' Name. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 147)

Singing of “Jesus Draw Me Close”.

Prayer of Illumination:

Reader: Holy Spirit, confront us with Christ’s words and challenge us to adopt His ways. Diminish our anxieties and fears by replacing them with a greater faith and the total acceptance of His teaching. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, You bring blessings and order to our daily lives. You grant us peace and unity with God. We gather before You our tithes and offerings, which we ask You to receive and bless for the continuing life, work and purpose of Your church in this community and throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction(unison): May Christ work His goodness through our deeds each day; may the Father sustain our faith and love for His ways; and may the Holy Spirit send us out into the world as messengers and witnesses, as servants and stewards of the One, Triune and Living God, both now and forever Amen.

Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; etc & Postlude

Sunday Prayers - Ordinary 25 - Sept 18

2011-09-12T10:55:00.000-07:00

Approaching God

Prelude

Welcome & Announcements

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Pastor: O Lord, our God, You are almighty and everlasting, all-powerful and majestic.

People: We will sing to the Lord all of our lives; we will praise His Name forever.

Pastor: May our meditations be pleasing to Him, as we rejoice in the Lord.

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide: Gracious and Merciful God, who judges the Earth and all of its inhabitants, we come before You, seeking Your peace and in need of Your strength. Your power sustains our lives; Your ways are holy and perfect; we look to You for mercy and we pray to be forgiven.

People: Heavenly Father, we have been ensnared by sin and trapped by temptation. We have arrogantly allowed ourselves to be distracted and deceived by our pride, greed, and self-centered choices. Forgive our faithless and fallen ways. Pardon our constant mistakes and destructive sins. Hear us now as we confess our faults to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Immortal God, whose wisdom has granted us a Savior and whose mercy has given us salvation, we praise You for sending Jesus into our world and for His supreme sacrifice, which has paid for all our sins. To Christ, we offer our gratitude and thanksgiving. In His holy words, we now pray, saying, "Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD’S PRAYER"

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide: Christ asks us to change our lives and follow His ways. He does not come to condemn, but instead He seeks to save us from perdition and restore us to God's Kingdom. Let us rejoice and praise Him forever. Amen.

Gloria Patri (sung): 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

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: Praise be to the LORD our Rock, who prepares us to face our fears and overcome our anxieties. He is our loving God and fortress, our stronghold and deliver, in whom we take refuge.

People: O Lord, what are we that You should care so much for us? Why are You so constantly involved in our lives? We know that we are weak and frail; that our time is precious and our lives are limited.

Pastor: Yet You still come down among us, Lord. You still listen to our cries and prayers. We ask that You send forth Your Holy Spirit to heal our lives. Bless our loved ones with recovery and strength, peace and wholeness. Hear us now as we inwardly pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit.

Pastor: O Lord, reach down Your hand from on high, and deliver us from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 144)

Singing of 'Jesus, Draw Me Close.’

Prayer of Illumination:

Reader: Holy Spirit, keep us from taking God's Word for granted or from misusing it to justify our selfish choices and sinful ways. Keep us focused on what Christ has to say to our spirits, so that we may honor Him with our lives. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, You have revealed Your purpose for our church through Your holy scriptures and sacred presence. In Your Name, we gather our tithes and offerings. We ask that You will accept these tokens of our gratitude and help us to apply them to the life, work, and ministry of Your Church in the world. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ empower us to work for His glory; may the Father greet us each day with love; and may the Holy Spirit reshape our lives so that we may honor, serve, and glorify the One, Triune and Living God, both now and forever. Amen.

Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; etc & Postlude

Sunday Worship prayers - Ordinary 24 - Sept 11

2011-09-05T08:40:00.000-07:00

Approaching God

Prelude

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Gathering

Call to Worship

Pastor: Surely God is our help; the Lord is the One who sustains us.

People: We will praise Your Name, O Lord, for it is good and holy.
Pastor: The Lord delivers us from all our troubles; let us worship and glorify our God!

Hymn:

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide: Eternal Creator and Immortal God, the entire Universe displays Your almighty power and the beings on this planet we call Earth praise Your Holy Name each day. We come before You as seekers and servants, disciples and worshippers to magnify and glorify Your wonderful deeds. We call upon You to fill our lives with Your blessings, bounty, and beauty. Your words sustain and direct us; Your mercies sanctify and correct us; Your love welcomes and accepts us.

People: Sovereign God and Glorious Savior, forgive us for allowing our faith to weaken and our pride to proliferate; pardon our foolish ways and sinful choices. When we neglect to help others or discard opportunities to meet their needs, have mercy upon us and change our lives. When we forget to be Christians with our families and friends; when we set aside our beliefs in order to be popular, or when we reject the responsibilities of our faith because they are inconvenient, pardon us and challenge our ways. Hear us now as we silently confess our sins to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Gracious God, only Jesus can restore us to Your joy and make our lives complete. When we are laid low and beset by sin, He raises us up and returns us to Your blessing and favor. We praise You for the renewing of our hopes and the redeeming of our lives. Our confessions are given in Christ's Name and we further pray in His everlasting words saying, Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide: Christ's teaching came directly from God and the words of forgiveness that He spoke from the Cross apply to all who seek His mercy and believe in His Name. Therefore, we are glad and will rejoice, for Jesus is the Restorer of our souls and the Savior of our lives, both now and forevermore. Amen.

Gloria Patri(sung 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

(Choir Anthem)

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: The Lord remembers who we are and will bless us, for God blesses all who revere and glorify His Holy Name.

People: May the LORD increase our strength and that of all our loved ones. May we each experience the blessings of encouragement and healing from the Maker of Heaven and Earth.

Pastor: Everything belongs to the LORD; our lives, our loved ones, and our souls are in His hands. Almighty LORD, heal us and all our loved ones from everything that harms us in body, mind, heart and soul. Hear us now as we quietly pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit.

Pastor: We will praise and bless the One, True and Living God, whose compassion conquers our fears and whose faithfulness cares for our concerns. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 115)

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw Me Close’

Prayer for Illumination:

Reader: Holy Spirit, help us to hear what Christ is saying to each one of us through these sacred words. Challenge our opinions and ideas; change our wayward lives and selfish ways. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, You have come among us, knowing the secrets of our hearts and bringing peace to our minds. We place these offerings and tithes before You, as symbols of our service and tokens of the truth that You proclaim. Take our lives and sanctify them to serve, honor, and worship You each and every day. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ grant us faithful endurance in all that we face this week; may the Father bless us with encouragement as we seek to fulfill His purposes; and may the Holy Spirit bestow unity, harmony and peace upon us as we worship, witness, and work to the glory of the One, Triune and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; etc & Postlude

Sunday Worship Prayers - Ordinary 23A - 04 September

2011-08-29T10:52:00.000-07:00

Approaching God

Prelude

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Gathering song

Call to Worship

Pastor: We will praise the Lord with all our hearts and souls; let us lift up and magnify His Holy name.

People: We will remember His glorious deeds; we will recount His wonderful blessings.

Leader: We will glorify the Lord who crowns us with love and compassion; we will worship Him forever.

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide: Almighty and Everlasting God, to whom our hearts belong and through whom our lives are given meaning, we approach Your holy throne and seek to please You with our praise. Holy Lord, whose compassion embraces us and whose strength empowers us, we offer ourselves as servants to Your Kingdom, and as disciples of Your Son.

People: Merciful Father, You know us perfectly and are completely aware of our mistakes and misdeeds, as well as our shameful secrets and selfish sins. Forgive our foolish and fallen ways. Pardon our self-importance, insensitivity and intolerance. Hear us now as we confess our sins to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Compassionate Lord, absolve us of our sinful past and cleanse us of our faithless ways. Forgive us through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, for His sacrificial death has purchased our salvation. Change our lives through Christ's teaching and challenge us today by His message. In His holy words, we make our confessions and continue to pray, saying, "Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD’S PRAYER

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide: Christ confronts our life style choices and seeks to change us with the gospel. He has the power to forgive our past mistakes and restore us to God's everlasting favor. So let us thank Him for giving His life and taking our punishment. He is our immortal Savior and eternal Lord. 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)

Children leave after sermon

Encountering God

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: O LORD, hear our prayers and listen to us as we cry for mercy. In Your faithfulness and righteousness, come to our relief.

People: Answer us, O Lord, especially when our spirits fail or we become fearful. Do not hold back Your healing from us; do not leave us in despair.

Pastor: Bring to us Your unfailing love, O God, for we have placed our trust in You. Show us what to do, O Lord, on behalf of our loved ones who are ill and in need of comfort. Heal us and them from all that harms us in body, mind, heart and soul. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit.

Pastor: The Lord, in His unfailing love, can preserve our lives and bring us out of trouble. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 143)

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw Me Close.’

Prayer of Illumination

Reader: Holy Spirit, grant us wisdom and understanding of these sacred scriptures. Speak to our hearts and fill us with Christ's love. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

Sermon & the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, You have spoken to our hearts through Your word and message. Help us to weigh carefully all that You have given to us here. In loving response, we gather before You our tithes and gifts. We pray that You will receive and bless them for the ministries and missions You would have our church fulfill. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Communion

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ's grace be with us each day; may the Father's peace empower our faith; and may the Holy Spirit keep us devoted to the One, Triune and Living God, both now and forever. Amen.

Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; etc & Postlude

Sunday Worship Prayers - Ordinary 22A - 28 August

2011-08-23T08:13:00.000-07:00

Approaching God

Prelude

Welcome and Announcements

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Pastor: O Lord, look down from Your sanctuary on high; cast Your loving gaze upon Your people.

People: We will declare the deeds of the Lord and give praises to His holy Name.

Leader: We have assembled to glorify and worship God. Let us continue to love and adore Him.

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide: Heavenly Father and Wonderful King, we humble ourselves in Your sacred presence; we rejoice in Your holy love. We belong to You and so we seek to serve Your Kingdom. We exalt Your powerful ways and lift up on high Your Everlasting Name.

People: Loving God, in the midst of our many needs and numerous wants, we sometimes give in to temptation and sin, selfishness and pride. When we go against Your Word or turn our backs on Your counsel, forgive our foolishness and pardon our ingratitude. Hear us now as we confess our sins to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Eternal Lord, through Your divine wisdom, we have been given a Holy Savior. By Your compassionate love and perfect grace, we have been redeemed through Jesus Christ, our Lord. We make our confessions in Christ's Name, knowing that He has all authority in Heaven and on Earth to restore us completely to You. In His sacred words, we now pray, "Our Father, Who art in Heaven...THE LORD’S PRAYER" (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide: Christ stooped down from Heaven to become one of us. His perfect obedience to God led Him to be sacrificed for all of our past mistakes and shameful sins. He writes our names in the Book of Life and reclaims us as God's own. Let us rejoice in our Redeemer and celebrate the everlasting victory of our Savior, Jesus Christ. 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

Offering & Offertory anthem

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, You enable us to interpret Your teachings through acts of devotion and love. Faithfully, we bring before You our tithes and gifts, asking that You will bless them for the preaching of Your Word and the praising of God's Name. Amen.

Children leave for Enrichment and Planet Worship

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: O LORD, we cry aloud to You and lift up our voices for mercy. We pour out our petitions to You, O Lord; we tell our heartfelt troubles to You alone.

People: When our spirits are weary and our hearts are full of anxiety, we turn to You, O Lord, who sees the way ahead. When we feel isolated and alone, uncared for and unloved, we seek refuge in You, our God.

Pastor: The Lord is our source for strength. He has the power to overcome our sickness, suffering and pain. Rescue us, O Lord, and all our loved ones, for we are in need of healing, wholeness and recovery from all that harms us in body, mind, heart and soul. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit.

Pastor: The Lord sets us free from our fears and restores us by His goodness, compassion, and love. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 142)

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw Me Close.’

Prayer of Illumination:

Reader: Holy Spirit, grant us wisdom and understanding of these sacred scriptures. Speak to our hearts and fill us with Christ's love. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May we obediently serve Christ in our daily lives; may the Father's wisdom brings us everlasting joy; and may the Holy Spirit keep us faithfully devoted to the One, Triune and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; etc & Postlude

Sunday Worship prayers - Ordinary 21A - August 21

2011-08-16T10:20:00.000-07:00

Approaching God

Prelude

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Pastor: Let us sing of God's love and justice; let us sing our praises to Him.

People: We will devote our lives to God; we await His coming among us.

Pastor: Let us worship the Lord in His holy house; let us glorify the Living God!

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide: Amazing and Almighty Lord, we come before You as Your people. We gather together to bless Your Wonderful Name. We open our hearts and minds to Your presence and power. We seek to delight in Your words and want to please You with our praises.

People: Eternal Father, sometimes we close our spirits to Your guidance and sever our hearts from Your love. We permit pride to direct our paths and allow sin to determine our choices. We create gloom and darkness in our lives through ungodly and deceitful ways. Forgive us for being foolish and mistaken, selfish and sinful. Hear us now as we confess our faults to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Gracious God, through Jesus Christ, we are absolved of the past and forgiven of our mistakes. We are embraced by His love and restored through His sacrifice. Therefore, inChrist's Name, we sincerely pray and with His words we continue by saying, “Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD’S PRAYER”

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide: Jesus answers all of our prayers through His holy words. He frees us from our sinful past and allows us to regain the hope of eternal life with God. He is the Savior of our souls and the healer of our broken ways. Let us rejoice and be glad, for Christ is our Redeemer and Everlasting King. Amen.

Gloria Patri(sung 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

Offering and Offertory Anthem

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, You personally speak to our hearts and call us individually by name. We are privileged to be Your servants, so we gather our tithes and gifts before Your throne. Take them and bless them for the ministries and missions that You would have us support, enable, accomplish and fulfill. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Children leave for Planet Worship

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: O LORD, come to us quickly when we call to You; hear the cries from our hearts. May our prayers be set before You, as we lift up our requests for healing to You.

People: Keep us focused on these prayers; help us to value our requests and petitions. Enable our hearts to be drawn to Your compassion and love. Let our minds be strengthened with Your peace and grace.

Pastor: May Your kindness uplift our spirits; may Your care cause us to endure. As we pray, Almighty Lord, may we, and all our loved ones, be healed of all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit.

Pastor: May the furrows of our faith bring forth a harvest of healing and wholeness. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 141)

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw me Close.’

Prayer of Illumination:

Reader: Holy Spirit, overcome our opposition to Christ's teaching and holy words. Help us to retain His message in our hearts and permit us opportunities to practice and share His commands in our daily lives. In Christ's Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Closing Hymn:

Benediction(unison): May we serve Christ faithfully and effectively each day; may the Father speak to our hearts and direct our paths; and may the Holy Spirit keep us determined to worship the One, Triune and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; etc & Postlude

Sunday Worship prayers: Ordinary 20A - August 14

2011-08-08T11:33:00.000-07:00

Approaching God

Prelude

Welcome and Announcements

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Pastor: Shout for joy to the LORD, all you His people and worship Him with gladness.

People: We will come before Him with joyful songs, for we know that the LORD is God.

Leader: Let us glorify the One who made us, for we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Amen.

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide: Lord of Time and God of Ages, throughout the centuries Your Name has been praised and Your works glorified. Today, we come before You, worshipping Your ways and revering Your Word. Our lives are sustained by Your goodness and our times are in Your hands. We seek to serve and love You; to please and delight You.

People: Gracious Lord, we confess to being sinful and wasteful, inconsiderate and unfaithful, selfish and vain. We fulfill our own desires, instead of doing what You want of us. We follow our own paths, instead of being guided by Your Spirit. We are wayward and self-centered. We are rebellious and inconsistent with our faith. Forgive us for being hostile to Your holiness and disrespectful of Your truth. Hear us now as we confess our sins to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Loving Father, we pledge our lives to Your Son Jesus Christ, for He alone grants us forgiveness and restores us to Your favor. His death at Calvary has redeemed our sinful souls and returned us to Your everlasting grace. In His Precious Name, we make our confessions and continue to pray in His holy words, saying, Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide: Jesus frees us from our sins and enables us to avoid the traps of temptation. He no longer accuses us; instead He assures us of the forgiveness of all our sins when we sincerely confess our mistakes to Him. So let us rejoice and be glad, for Christ our Savior reconciles us to our Creator, both now and forever. Amen.

Gloria Patri (sung 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

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, You seek to strengthen our church through the gifts and blessings which You grant to all of us. We have combined our tithes and offerings and gathered them before You. Bless them for the life, work, and ministry of Your church in this community and throughout the Earth. In Your Holy name, we give and pray. Amen.

Children leave for Enrichment programs

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: Rescue us, O Lord, and deliver us from fear; protect us from sickness and suffering. Free us from anxiety and strengthen our hearts; in the midst of our troubles, grant us peace.

People: When we have doubts, O Lord, carry and support us. When despair or depression hounds us, be our protector and shield. Keep us safe in Your hands and guard us from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul.

Pastor: When we feel isolated or vulnerable, when we experience pressure or suffer stress, let Your Holy presence encourage and embrace us. O Lord, You are our God, and we cry to You for mercy and grace, for healing and wholeness. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit.

Pastor: Sovereign Lord, You are our strong deliverer and greatest hope. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 140)

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw Me Close.’

Prayer of Illumination:

Reader: Holy Spirit, fill us with God's grace and power through the reading and receiving of these sacred words. Reveal to us Christ's wonders and show to us His will for all our people. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

Sermon & The Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ keep us free from conflict and division by granting us peace and unity in our lives; may the Father free us from the obstacles and barriers that hinder our faith; and may the Holy Spirit keep our hearts and minds full of the teachings and truths of the One, Triune and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; etc & Postlude

Sunday Worship prayers : Ordinary 19A - Pentecost 8 - August 7

2011-08-01T11:19:00.000-07:00

Approaching God

Prelude

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Gathering

Call to Worship

Pastor: Great is the LORD in the universe; He is exalted above all of Creation.

People: We will praise His almighty and everlasting name; He is awesome and holy.

Pastor: Let us worship and glorify our God. Let us magnify and bless the Lord! Amen.

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide: Immortal Creator and Everlasting Father, whose power sustains the universe and whose will enables life to endure; we applaud Your wonderful deeds and adore Your gracious ways. You formed our planet and permitted us dominion over the Earth. We approach You with our prayers and now come to You, confessing our sins.

People: Loving God, we often question Your words and sometimes doubt Your decisions about our lives. We cast aside Your counsel and decline to accept Your commands. We think too highly of ourselves and allow pride to diminish our humble faith. Forgive us for subverting Your kingdom and ignoring Your sovereignty over us. Hear us now as we express our regrets and repent of our sinful ways.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Merciful Lord, without Your Son Jesus Christ, there would be no opportunity for forgiveness or restoration, repentance or reconciliation. We thank You for His sacrifice and seek to pledge our lives to Him.

We have made our confessions in Christ's Name and so through His holy words, we further pray, saying, "Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD’S PRAYER" (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide: Every day we break God's Law and dishonor His commands. We put ourselves under severe and eternal punishment, from which only Jesus can save us. He alone has the power to pardon and return us to God's Kingdom. Let us rejoice and be glad in His Name. Amen.

Gloria Patri(sung 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)

Offertory anthem and Offering

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, You know the secrets of our hearts, and yet You still allow us to come to worship You. You have permitted Your holy presence to be experienced in this sacred place. We thank You for these blessings and bring before Your our tithes and gifts, our loyalty and lives. Bless them for the work of God's Kingdom and the praising of His Everlasting Name. Amen.

Children leave for Enrichment

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: O Lord, You have searched our spirits and You know us completely. You see all that we do and perceive our thoughts, our worries and concerns.

People: You are familiar with all of our ways; You understand all that we experience.

Before we voice our prayers, You know what we are about to ask.

Pastor: When we feel pressure or suffer from stress, You lay Your loving hand upon us. Your presence is wonderful; we appeal to You for healing and peace to come upon us and all our loved ones. Hear us now as we pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit.

Pastor: We are never out of God's reach. We always belong to Him. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 139)

Singing of “Jesus, Draw me Close.”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader: Holy Spirit, spread God's Word into our hearts and souls, so that we may grow spiritually and become obedient to Christ Jesus in faith, hope, and love. In His Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

Sermon & The Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Communion

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ embrace us each day and fill us with His love; may the Father send us into the world with His strength; and may the Holy Spirit guide us to worship the One, Triune and Living God, both now and forever. Amen.

Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; etc & Postlude

Sunday Worship prayers - Ordinary 15 A - July 10

2011-06-29T07:51:00.000-07:00

Approaching God

Prelude

Welcome and Announcements

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Pastor: Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

People: We will come before Him with thanksgiving; we will praise Him with music and song.

Leader: For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods Amen.

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide: Almighty King and Everlasting Lord, whose dominion is unlimited and whose kingdom never ends, we offer You our hearts and souls, our prayers and praise, our love and adoration. Creator of the Universe and Maker of heaven and earth, we joyfully approach Your throne of grace to celebrate Your sovereignty and worship Your sacred ways.

People: Benevolent God and Heavenly Father, Whose ways are recorded in the holiest of books and Whose will is always fulfilled, we confess to being unfaithful, unworthy, and, at times, unwilling servants of Your Kingdom. We have challenged Your choices; we have protested against Your purposes; we have rebelled against Your words. Forgive us for following our own ways and pandering to our selfish desires. Hear us now as we silently confess our sins to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Gracious God, we seek Your favor through Jesus Christ our Lord. Only He can restore our lives and grant us mercy. In Him alone, we find salvation through His sanctification. Therefore, in the Name of Jesus, we make our pleas and through His precious words, we continue to pray, saying , "Our Father, Who art in heaven..." THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide: We gather together in this holy place to seek Christ's Spirit and to learn from His ways. He has died to set us free from sin, so let us live in that liberty which Christ has purchased by His blood, for all of His people, both now and forever. Amen.

Gloria Patri(sung 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)

Offering & Offertory anthem

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, throughout the ages, You have talked to the hearts of our people, challenging us to change our ways and causing us to reflect upon God's will for our lives. Today we gather before You our tithes and offerings, asking that You will bless these gifts for the furtherance of Your mission and ministry in our church, community, and world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

(Children leave for Enrichment and Planet worship program)

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: As servants of the Living God, let us lift up and praise His holy name. In this house of holiness, we seek His blessings and favor, asking for the Lord to minister to our troubled souls. We know that the LORD is good, so we pray for strength and healing from Him.

People: We are His treasured possessions; our lives are compassionately held in His loving hands. We know that the LORD is great and His power surpasses all of creation.

Pastor: Merciful Lord, You do what pleases You best, yet we ask for mercy and peace, healing and wholeness for us and our loved ones. Free us and preserve us from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul. Hear us now as we quietly pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit.

Pastor: The LORD oversees the entire Universe and sustains it with His word. May we be comforted, healed, and blessed from the riches of His infinite grace. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 134)

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw me Close.’ (twice)

Prayer of Illumination:

Reader: Holy Spirit, You have called us to be here in God's House, so that we may learn from Christ's teaching and grow in His wisdom. Grant us open hearts and minds, so that we may fully receive and embrace all that God graciously reveals to us through His sacred scriptures and Living Word, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ greet us with His grace and goodness each day; may the Father strengthen our church family to be a household of holiness, wholeness and healing; and may the Holy Spirit keep our faith, love and hope in the One, Triune and Everlasting God, both now and forevermore. Amen.

Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; etc & Postlude