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

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 4 worship prayers - Fourth Sunday in Advent - 19 December

Approaching God

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Family:            This is the Fourth Sunday in Advent and we seek the Lord’s blessing.

All:                  His Peace heals our pain and His Love liberates our souls.

(Lighting of Three Purple Advent Candles and Pink Joy candle)

Family:            Since we have been justified through our faith, we have everlasting peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Prelude

First Hymn:

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide: Everlasting Lord, whose ways are beyond our imagining and whose will is beyond our control, we assemble in Your Holy Presence and gather to praise Your Sacred Name.

People: Almighty God, whose covenants have always been fulfilled, and whose compassion is unequalled, we gladly worship Your Power and glorify Your wonderful deeds.

Guide: Heavenly Father, when sin affects our souls and we willfully damage our spirits by yielding to temptation, enable us to humbly seek Your forgiveness, and grant us the favor of Your pardon. You alone have the authority to condemn us or forgive us, to judge us or justify us. Hear us now as we personally make our confessions to You.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Gracious God, You are our refuge and hiding place, our safe haven and sanctuary. Your Holy Son Jesus Christ has purchased our salvation with His own blood. We are grateful for the opportunity to be acquitted of our past mistakes and restored to Your love and blessing.  We humbly make these confessions in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Only Savior and precious Lord, in whose words we faithfully pray, saying,

"Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  God sent Jesus into the world to heal it of all its unholiness and to reclaim creation to God's Kingdom. We know Jesus as our Savior and Christ, our Peace Bringer and Soul Restorer. So let us gladly rejoice in His perfect obedience, complete forgiveness and everlasting reassurance. In His Name. Amen.

Gloria Patri: 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 of Life, in the midst of weakness or strength, we place our hope in Your sacred words. When we are fearful or anxious, O God, we look to You for comfort and compassion.

People:                        In times of distress or despair, we will not forget Your words of holiness and healing. When our patience is stretched and our peace is broken, reassure us with Your presence and strengthen us with Your love.

Pastor:             When we fall down, or when we feel feeble or frail, do not forsake or abandon us; do not forget our pleas or reject our prayers. Compassionate Father, we appeal to Your mercy and grace and we ask for healing. Restore all our loved ones, and us to health and wholeness. Protect us 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: Preserve us according to Your gracious words. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Healer of the World and Savior to the Nations. Amen.

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

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw Me Close.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:             Holy Spirit, release us from our fears and strengthen our faith in Jesus. Let God's word bring us closer to Him and equip us to go out into the world liberated by Your love and inspired by this message. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

Sermon & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison)   Lord Jesus, You have taught us to cheerfully give of ourselves to You and God's Kingdom. You have sacrificed Your life for our salvation, so we gratefully bring to You these gifts and tithes, praying that You will accept them for the life, ministry and work of Your church here in this congregation, our community, and throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison):

May Christ lead us each day to accomplish His purpose for our lives; may the Father's gracious love keep us always in obedience to Him; and may the Holy Spirit continually influence us so that we may glorify and praise the One, Triune and Living God, from this day forth and forevermore. Amen.

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

First Sunday in Advent Prayers - Advent 1 - November 28

Approaching God

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Family:            This is the First Sunday in Advent and the beginning of a new journey of faith.

All:                  Our hope is in the Lord and we await His Return.

(Lighting of the First Purple Advent Candle)

Family:            This hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us. Amen.

Gathering & Prelude

Hymn:

Prayer of Adoration & Confession

Guide:                         Almighty Lord of Life and Creator of the Cosmos, You have called us by name and we have responded to Your voice. In this house of praise and prayer, we seek Your presence and yearn for Your favor.

People:            Faithful Father, whose words bless our lives and whose ways grant us hope, we turn to You as our Counselor and Comforter, our sacred source of goodness and holiness, of strength and love.  We are also weary of our sins and regret our past mistakes; we are sorry for our failings and apologize to You for our imperfections.

Guide:                         Merciful Majesty, when we choose to ignore Your voice and follow our own counsel, forgive us. When we rebel against Your word and neglect to do good, pardon us. When idolize ourselves and cast aside Your ways, have mercy upon us. Hear us now as we humbly pray.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Gracious Lord, Your love sustains us and Your grace restores us. Your Son Jesus bled for our sins and died for our selfish deeds. We will always be indebted to You for grace. We will always be thankful to You for saving us.  We place our lives into Your hands and give our hearts to Jesus. By His authority we are forgiven and in His words, we now thankfully pray, saying, "Our Father..." THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:             Christ taught us about God and showed us how to live our lives. He was sent to save humanity and restore the entire world to God's Kingdom. His truth endures and we are forgiven of our past mistakes. We are returned to God's love and favor. So let rejoice forever, for we are Christ's people and through Him, we are God's favored servants. 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, You are the most important part of our lives and we have promised to obey You. Today, we seek You with all of our hearts; be gracious to us and hear our prayers.

People:                        Help us to reconsider our ways and look to You for strength and salvation. Enable us to adhere to Your sacred will and accept Your holy words.

Pastor:             Though fear and frustration, pain and perplexity may disturb our souls, we will not forget Your mercy. We give You thanks for the possibilities of prayer; we humbly ask that You heal us, our families and friends, of all that is harmful to our bodies, minds, hearts, and souls. Hear us now as we pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves.

Pastor:             The Earth is filled with Your love, O Lord; teach us Your gracious ways. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

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

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw me Close.'

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:             Holy Spirit, we have gathered from different places, both near and far, to be with our families at worship. Strengthen us by Christ's mighty words, and inspire us to receive, follow, and apply His ways. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, when we ask You to guide and help us, You always answer our needs and prayers. In response to these blessings, we bring to You our tithes and offerings, as symbols of our thankfulness and tokens of our faith. Receive this offering and bless it for the continuing life, work, and mission 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 boldly challenge our lives and change our ways; may the Father constantly remind us of His love and mercy; and may the Holy Spirit keep granting us grace, so that we may encourage other people every day to glorify the One, Triune and Living God, both now and forevermore. Amen.

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

Sunday prayers: 4th Sunday in Advent - Advent 4 - December 20

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Gathering Song & Prelude

Call to Worship:Fourth in Advent: PEACE

Advent Guide:  Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Strength of God and the Sacred Shepherd of our souls.

All:      Your greatness is amongst us and Your power reaches out to the ends of the Earth.

(Lighting of Three Purple Candles & Pink Candle)

Advent Guide:              Lord Jesus, let us live securely in Your peace and be blessed forever by Your Holy Name. Amen.

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer

Guide: Eternal Lord of Life, we come before You as servants seeking Your favor, and as disciples devoted to Your Kingdom. Almighty God, we place our trust in You for You are our Rock and refuge, our shield and salvation, our gracious leader and loving guide.

People:  Heavenly Father, we have wandered from Your ways and rebelled against Your righteousness. We have chosen to embrace our pride and greed; we have decided to follow our fallen ideals and selfish sins.

Guide: Loving God, we have sometimes placed our confidence in our own strength and rejected Your truth. We have frequently allowed ourselves to be swayed by our culture and misdirected by our misconceptions. Forgive us for being false and foolish, unholy and unworthy. Hear us now as we personally confess our sins.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Merciful Lord, we regret our past mistakes and look to Jesus for our salvation. We turn away from our guilty sins and seek Christ to renew our lives. Help us to remain united with Him. In His Holy words, we now pray, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  Christ was sent by our Heavenly Father to save the world from sin. He sacrificed Himself so that we may be given the opportunity of being forgiven and restored to God’s favor and grace. Without Jesus, we have no hope of avoiding the wrath of God. With Christ, we are spiritually purified and eternally pardoned. We rejoice in His power and Holy Name, both now and forever. Amen.

Gloria Patri(unison-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

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: O Lord, in the midst of this sanctuary, our souls yearn for Your Favor, our hearts cry out for healing. Bless us, Living God, for having set our hearts on You and trusting You for strength.

People:                        Hear our prayers, O LORD God Almighty; listen to us, O God of Jacob. Look upon Your people, O God, gathered here in Your Name. Look upon us with mercy and compassion.

Pastor: For You, O LORD, fill us with hope and help us through each day. Do not withhold Your power from us and heal our loved ones from their sickness and pain, anxiety and depression, illnesses and injuries.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor: O LORD Almighty, blessed are those who trust in You. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 84)

Singing of Jesus, Draw Me Close

Prayer for Illumination:

Reader:             Holy Spirit, enable us to receive Christ into our hearts through the reading of these sacred scriptures. Heal us of the past and lead us by His presence in our lives. May we experience Christ being born in our spirits this day and forevermore. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory:

Dedication(unison): Lord Jesus, You are the Perfect One and our lives are transformed by Your mercy and grace. In return, we pledge to You our lives and dedicate our time, talents and tithes to You alone. Take these gifts and bless them for Your work in the world and Your ministry among us. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Hymn:

Benediction(unison):  May Christ enable us to love our neighbors each day; may the Father help us to support one another with mercy and grace; and may the Holy Spirit lead us to fulfill God’s law through being servants of His Kingdom and disciples of Christ, for now and always. Amen.

Doxology         Praise God, from whom all blessings flow & Postlude

Sunday prayers: Second in Advent - Advent 2 - December 6

Approaching God

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Gathering Song & Prelude

Advent Call to Worship

Advent Guide:              Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Almighty Messenger, sent from heaven to proclaim God’s Gracious Love to the people of this planet. 

All:                  You have freely come among us to lovingly challenge our beliefs and change our ways.

(Lighting of Two Purple Advent Candles)

Advent Guide:              Lord Jesus, sanctify our people and make us acceptable to You. Reclaim and restore us to God’s Everlasting Love. Amen.

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer

Guide: Living Lord, whose sacred words inspire our lives and whose holy ways direct our paths, we gather before You as one people, seeking Your love and abiding in Your presence.

People: Everlasting God, whose deeds declare Your sovereignty and whose works are glorified throughout the universe, we acknowledge You as our Heavenly Father, and we serve You as our Eternal King.

Guide: God of mercy and grace, forgive us for falling into temptation and surrendering to sin. Forgive us for damaging our souls and injuring our faith. Pardon us for being snared by our selfish ways and captured by our careless commitment. Hear us now as we confess our faults to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Heavenly Father, we look to Your Son Jesus Christ to cleanse us of the past and remove the punishment due for our sins. We make our pleas in the Name of Jesus, our Savior, in whose words, we further pray, saying, Our Father...THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  Jesus knows God completely, perfectly, and infinitely. He has been sent to earth to restore us to God's grace and favor. When we truly confess our sins to Him, we are totally forgiven. So let us rejoice, and be of good cheer, for Christ has sacrificially given His life, so that we may be re-accepted and welcomed by God. 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:             Do good to your servants according to Your healing words, O Lord. Teach us knowledge and good judgment, for we believe all Your commands.

People:                        Where we have wandered from Your ways, O Lord, lovingly set us in the right direction, for You are good, and all that You do is good. Grant us healing and health, protection and peace.

Pastor:             When pride prevents us from praying or fear disables our faith, be near to us and teach us to depend upon Your love. May we delight in Your deeds by being delivered from all that harms us and our loved ones, 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 promises of the Lord are more precious to us than the entire wealth of the whole world. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

Minute for Mission: Campaign Closure

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw me Close.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:             Holy Spirit, enable us to humbly accept the authority of God's Word. Keep us from diminishing the power of these holy passages over our lives. Help us to apply Christ's teaching in all that we say and do each day. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication(unison):   Lord Jesus, the word of God has penetrated our hearts and minds, so that we are challenged by Your ways and inspired by Your love. In return, we want to thankfully bring to You our tithes and gifts for the continuing mission of this church, the holy ministry of God's Kingdom, and the evangelization of this community. In Your Sacred Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Communion

Closing Hymn:

Benediction(unison):             May we all minister to one another in Christ's Holy Name; may we continue to proclaim the gospel of the Father with our daily lives; and may the Holy Spirit continue to inspire us to offer our devotion and faithfully serve the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

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

Sunday prayers: First in Advent - Advent 1 - Nov 29

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Gathering Song & Prelude

Call to Worship

Advent Guide:              Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Hope Bringer of the Universe, whose gracious promises strengthen our faith and brighten the spirits of our people.

All:                  You bring justice and righteousness to the Earth. You save the world from sin and free us from our fears.

(Lighting of First Purple Advent Candle)

Advent Guide:              Lord Jesus, Your Everlasting Light restores our eternal hopes. You are our Righteousness and Redeemer forever. Amen.

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer

Guide: Immortal and Almighty Lord, Most Powerful and Everlasting Majesty, we sing of Your greatness and praise Your magnificent ways. Your strength is undiminished and Your words are always fulfilled.

People:  Lord of Salvation and Grace, we adore Your Holy Presence and devote ourselves to Your Sacred Kingdom. We are sometimes sinful and selfish people. We follow our own stubborn ways and damage our faith with pride, greed, and neglect.

Guide: Merciful Majesty, come into our hearts and help us to seek forgiveness so that we may find salvation in Christ alone. Hear us now as we humbly pray.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Loving Father, without Jesus we would have no hope of being forgiven. Without His sacrifice, we would have no salvation. We thank You for this opportunity to sincerely confess our sins, to declare our guilt, and be completely pardoned by Your grace and favor. In Christ’s holy words, we unite our hearts together, saying, “Our Father...” THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  When we come to the Lord and feed upon His words, He releases us from the wrath of God. When we ask Jesus to cleanse us by His blood, He restores us to God’s holiness. So let us truly rejoice and give thanks, for Christ is our Savior and we are completely forgiven, from this day forth and forevermore. 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

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: Let us declare our joy to God, who is our strength; let us proclaim His great and mighty works! Gracious Lord, remove our burdens from us; release us from our deepest worries and concerns.

People:                        In the midst of our sickness and illnesses, at the time when we are weak and helpless, we look to You, O Living God to answer our prayers. Give us patience to wait for Your healing; grant us mercy for all of our requests.

Pastor: Subdue our fears and heal us of all that harms us in body, mind, heart and spirit.

Let all our loved ones be graciously touched by Your healing Hands. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor: The Lord will feed us with hope and strength. By His goodness and grace, we shall experience healing, hope, and salvation. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Singing of “Jesus, Draw Me Close.”

Prayer for Illumination:

Reader:             Holy Spirit, bring us into Christ’s Presence and let Him answer all our questions about life. Show us how powerful God’s love is and enable us to apply these lessons of faith in our daily lives.  In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

Sermon

Serving God

Offering & Offertory:

Dedication(unison): Lord Jesus, there have been many times when this church has become a sanctuary to us and we have been protected and supported by the love of Your people. We trust You to work among us each week and we hops that we serve You faithfully, diligently and sincerely. Take our tithes and offerings and bless them for the life, work and ministry of this church, to this congregation and to the wider community. In Your Name, we give and pray, both now and forever. Amen. 

Hymn:

Benediction(unison):  May we give thanks to Christ each day for all that we personally owe Him; may we respect and revere God’s work throughout today’s world; and may we honor the guidance and counsel, the power and direction of the Holy Spirit, in this life and the one to come, to the glory of the One, Triune and Living God,  both now and always. Amen.

Doxology         Praise God, from whom all blessings flow & Postlude

2009 Advent Prayers: Call to Worship & Advent Themes

November 29, 2009 - First Sunday of Advent  (purple candle, theme is Hope)
• December 6, 2009 - Second Sunday of Advent  (purple candle, theme is Love)
• December 13, 2009 - Third Sunday of Advent  (purple or pink candle, theme is Joy)
• December 20, 2009 - Fourth Sunday of Advent (purple candle, theme is Peace)

First in Advent: HOPE

Advent Guide:              Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Hope Bringer of the Universe, whose gracious promises strengthen our faith and brighten the spirits of our people.

All:                  You bring justice and righteousness to the Earth. You save the world from sin and free us from our fears.

(Lighting of First Purple Advent Candle)

Advent Guide:              Lord Jesus, Your Everlasting Light restores our eternal hopes. You are our Righteousness and Redeemer forever. Amen.

Second in Advent: LOVE

Advent Guide:              Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Almighty Messenger, sent from heaven to proclaim God’s Gracious Love to the people of this planet.

All:                  You have freely come among us to lovingly challenge our beliefs and change our ways.

(Lighting of Two Purple Advent Candles)

Advent Guide:              Lord Jesus, sanctify our people and make us acceptable to You. Reclaim and restore us to God’s Everlasting Love. Amen.

Third in Advent: JOY

Advent Guide: Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Everlasting Joy of God’s Heart and the Holy Savior of the nations.

All:      You come among us to release us from our burdens and take great delight in our eternal happiness.

(Lighting of Two Purple candles and the Pink Joy Candle)

Advent Guide:              Lord Jesus, quieten us with Your Precious Love and fill our spirits with heavenly joy. Amen.

Fourth in Advent: PEACE

Advent Guide:  Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Strength of God and the Sacred Shepherd of our souls.

All:      Your greatness is amongst us and Your power reaches out to the ends of the Earth.

(Lighting of Three Purple Candles & Pink Candle)

Advent Guide:              Lord Jesus, let us live securely in Your peace and be blessed forever by Your Holy Name. Amen.

Sunday prayers: Second in Advent - Advent 2 - Dec 7

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude & Gathering Song

Family: The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
People: We light these candles as a sign of the coming light of Christ.
2 Purple Advent candles are lit.
Family: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being (John 1:1–3a).

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer
Guide: All Seeing and All Knowing God, who watches over all Creation and who understands our thoughts and fears; open our hearts to Your Holy Presence and enhance our spirits to experience Your Living Power. In this sacred place of prayer, may we know Your peace. As we gather in Your Name, may we sense Your Precious Love.

People: Lord of Righteousness and Perfection, we confess our failings and weaknesses. We are sinful and selfish creatures. We are bitter and resentful beings. We are greedy and stubborn people. We are careless and faithless servants. Have mercy on our souls and deliver us from Your wrath. Forgive us of our past mistakes, shameful acts, and broken promises. Restore us through the sacrifice and blood of Jesus, our Lord. Hear us now as we personally pray.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Compassionate Father, we thank You for Jesus. His obedience and service, crucifixion and death have paid the penalty due for our sins. We are completely in His debt and totally grateful for His Grace.

People: We make our confessions in Christ’s Name, and through His Sacred words, we unite our hearts together, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel
Guide: The sacred body and holy blood of Christ atone for our sins and He acquits us of our guilt. We are set free from God’s condemnation and given the perfect opportunity to be returned to His Favor. We cannot do this on our own. Only Jesus can completely restore us to God’s Kingdom, both now and 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

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: God presides over our lives, sustaining our bodies, and nurturing our spirits. May the Lord defend us against disease and discomfort; may His favor grant us hope and health.

People: In the midst of our weakness, may God grant us strength. When fear affects us, He enhances our faith. Lord, we pray that You will rescue us from pain and suffering. Attend to our loved ones and answer all our prayers.

Pastor: Loving God, grant us patience and understanding. Free us from worry and reinforce us with Your peace. Heal us and all our loved ones from all that harms us in body, mind, heart and spirit. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

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

Anthem

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

Scripture Readings, Sermon, & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

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

Communion

Hymn:

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

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday prayers: First in Advent - Advent 1 Nov 30

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude & Gathering Song

Lighting of First Advent Candle

Family: The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world (John 1:9).
People: We light this candle as a sign of the coming light of Christ.
(First candle is lit)
Family: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1).

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer
Guide: Immortal and Almighty Lord, Most Powerful and Everlasting Majesty, we sing of Your greatness and praise Your magnificent ways. Your strength is undiminished and Your words are always fulfilled; we adore Your Holy Presence and devote ourselves to Your Sacred Kingdom.

People: Lord of Salvation and Grace, we are sinful and selfish people. We are sometimes distracted and become deceitful servants. We follow our own desires and damage our faith with pride, greed, and neglect. Tear down the walls of stubbornness and bitterness, foolishness and waywardness that we have built against You. Come into our hearts and help us to seek forgiveness. Hear us now as we personally pray.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Loving Father, without Jesus we would have no hope of ever being forgiven. Without His sacrifice, we would have no salvation. We thank You for this opportunity to sincerely confess our sins, to declare our guilt, and be released by Your grace and favor.

People: For we pray this in Jesus’ Name and through His holy words, we unite our hearts together, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel
Guide: When we come to the Lord and feed upon His words, He releases us from the wrath of God. When we ask Jesus to cleanse us by His blood, He restores us to God’s holiness. So let us truly rejoice and give thanks, for Christ is our Savior and we are completely forgiven, from this day forth and forevermore. Amen.

Gloria Patri : 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

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: Let us declare our joy to God, who is our strength; let us proclaim His great and mighty works! Gracious Lord, remove our burdens from us; release us from our deepest worries and concerns.
People: In the midst of our sickness and illnesses, at the time when we are weak and helpless, we look to You, O Living God to answer our prayers. Give us patience to wait for You; grant us mercy for all of our requests.

Pastor: Subdue our fears and heal us of all that harms us in body, mind, heart and spirit. Merciful Father, heal us and all our loved ones with Your healing Hands. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor: The Lord will feed us with hope and strength; with His goodness and grace, we shall experience healing, hope and salvation. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.
(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 81)

Anthem

Prayer for Illumination:
Reader: Holy Spirit, bring us into Christ’s Presence and let Him answer all our questions about life. Show us how powerful God’s love is and enable us to apply these lessons of faith in our daily lives. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings & Sermon & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory:
Dedication: (unison) Lord Jesus, there have been many times when this church has become a sanctuary to us and we have been supported by the love of Your people. We trust You to work among us each week, and we hope that we serve You faithfully, diligently and sincerely. Take our tithes and offerings and bless them for the life, work and ministry of this church, to help our congregation reach out to the wider community. In Your Name, we give and pray, both now and forever. Amen.

Hymn:

Benediction: (unison) May we give thanks to Christ each day for all that we personally owe Him; may we respect and revere God’s work throughout today’s world; and may we honor the guidance and counsel, the power and direction of the Holy Spirit, in this life and the one to come, to the glory of the One, Triune and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Prayers: Advent 4

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcement

Prelude & Gathering
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 ….

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

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer
Guide: Lord of Love and Life, we come before You as Your people, hoping to please You with our praises and seeking to delight You with our worship.
People: Almighty God, in whom our lives are lived, and by whom our days are sustained, we place our faith, hope, and love in You alone.

Guide: Gracious Father, we know that we have allowed temptation and sin to over rule our spirits. We have succumbed to our selfish desires and made poor choices.
People: Benevolent Majesty, forgive us for taking Your grace for granted and for setting You aside. Pardon us for disrespecting Your ways and disavowing Your words with our sinful actions. Hear us now as we inwardly confess our sins.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Merciful God, only Your Son Jesus Christ can save us from our sins. Only He can bridge the gap that we have created through our sinful deeds and wicked ways.
People: We place our lives and souls into Christ’s hands. We ask for redemption and restoration through His precious blood. In His Holy words, we now pray, saying, “Our Father, etc.

Promise of the Gospel
Guide: When Jesus came into our world, He brought God’s everlasting grace with Him. By living a life of true obedience, He has enabled us to be given an eternal hope from God. We are no longer cast away from God. We are restored to His throne and returned to His Kingdom through Jesus Christ, our Savior, Redeemer, and Lord. Amen.

Gloria Patri: 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)

Anthem

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: O Lord, in this holy sanctuary, our souls yearn for Your Favor, and our hearts cry out for healing.
People: Bless us, Living God, for we have set our hopes in You, and trust You with all our strength.
Pastor: Hear our prayers, O LORD God Almighty; listen to us, O God of Jacob.
People: Look upon Your people, O God, gathered here in Your Name. Look upon us with mercy and compassion.
Pastor: For You, O LORD, fill us with faith, and You help us through each day.
People: Gracious God, do not withhold Your power from us. Heal us and all our loved ones from sickness and pain, anxiety and depression, illness and injury.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor: O LORD Almighty, blessed are those who trust in You. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.
(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 84)

Prayer for Illumination:
Reader: Holy Spirit, teach us God’s plan for our lives through the reading and receiving of these sacred words. Challenge and change our ways, so that we may become true witnesses of Christ’s Gospel. In His Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings & Sermon & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God
Offering & Offertory:

Dedication: Lord Jesus, we bring before You an offering made up of our tithes and gifts, resources and wealth. We pray that it may honor and glorify You. We humbly ask that You bless this offering for the spreading of the Gospel, the mission of the Church, and the praising of God’s Name, both now and always. Amen.

Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace as we trust in Him, so that we may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; One God forevermore. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Worship prayers: 3rd Sunday Advent

Approaching God
Welcome & Announcements

Prelude and Gathering

Lighting of the Advent Candle

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

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.

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer
Guide: Lord of Life, who sustains the universe and who keeps all creation in order, we glorify and praise Your Holy Name.
People: Lord of Love, who knows everything about our lives and from whom we can never hide, thank You for granting us grace and giving us Your blessing.

Guide: Gracious Lord, we seek Your mercy and favor. We ask for pardon and forgiveness of all our sins.
People: Loving Father, we have failed to be truly faithful. We have allowed pride and stubbornness to withhold our confessions. We have allowed greed and insecurity to diminish our compassion. Hear us now as we silently pray to You.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Eternal God, we owe our salvation to Your Son Jesus Christ. In Him, we can find forgiveness and grace, mercy and restoration.
People: Hear our confession, given to You in Christ’s Name. In His own words, we unite our hearts together, saying, “Our Father, etc.

Promise of the Gospel
Guide: Jesus Christ is our One and Only Savior. When we place our lives into His Hands, He accepts us fully into God’s Kingdom. We are pardoned and forgiven, redeemed and reassured. Let us rejoice and thank Him forevermore. Amen.

Gloria Patri : Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.

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

Encountering God

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: O Lord our God, come near to us and grant us strength when we pray to You for healing.
People: When we are troubled, calm our souls and strengthen our hearts, O God.

Pastor: When we are fearful and afraid, become our shield and firm foundation.
People: When we face disease and discomfort, pain and sickness, be our Comforter, Healer and Savior.

Pastor: When anxiety overcomes our families and despair attacks our friends, grant them assurance, peace, and love.
People: By Your Power, Lord, and in the Name of Christ, we ask that You heal us and our loved ones from all that harms our bodies, minds, hearts and spirits. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor: O LORD our God, You alone have the power to heal all the earth. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.
(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 83)

Prayer for Illumination:
Reader: Holy Spirit, keep us focused on God’s message for today. Let these sacred scriptures fill our hearts and minds, so that we can apply the challenges and lessons Christ gives to us. In the Name of Jesus, we earnestly pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings & Sermon & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God
Offering & Offertory:

Dedication: (in unison) Lord Jesus, You have called us to support Your life, ministry and mission through the resources of this congregation. In Your Holy Name, we gather before You our tithes and gifts. Bless for everything that we seek to do to glorify, honor, and proclaim You as the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Amen.

Hymn:

Benediction: (in unison) May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace as we trust in Him, so that we may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; One God forevermore. Amen.

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

Sunday Prayers: 12-09-07

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude & Gathering

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

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer

Guide: Eternal Majesty, whose riches and resources are unlimited; whose power is absolute and abounding with holiness; we gather before You in this place of praise, peace and prayer. You have set apart this time in our lives to worship and adore You. We have responded to Your call and we continue to bless Your Holy Name.
People: Everlasting Lord, whose deeds of deliverance and almighty acts have been declared and announced by countless generations, we seek to serve You with our lives and love You with our souls. We want to devote ourselves to following Your ways and fulfilling Your Will.
Guide: Precious Father, we confess our sins to You. We have stored up bitterness in our hearts. We have allowed pride to damage our souls. We have hurt other people with our words and disappointed You with our deceptions. We have fulfilled our own desires and cast aside Your commandments.
People: Holy God, we have tampered with our faith by falling into temptation. We have neglected our devotion to Your Son by satisfying our dreams and needs. Forgive us, Gracious God, for we repent of our reckless ways and diminished faith. Hear us now as we personally seek Your pardon.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Compassionate Creator, who permits us to call upon Your Son for help, healing and wholeness, we praise You for the promises of salvation through the blood and sacrifice of Jesus. Without His obedience to You, without His agonizing death on the Cross, we would be unforgiven and forever doomed to be eternally cast out from Your Sacred Presence and Everlasting Love.

People: In the abundant grace of Jesus and through His own precious words , we now pray, saying, “Our Father, etc.”(Isaiah 23v18)

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide: Jesus is the King of Creation and the Lord of our lives. We did not give this honor to Him. Through His complete devotion and perfect obedience, God bestowed upon Jesus all authority on earth and in heaven to forgive our sins, to restore us to God’s favor and to be welcomed into His Eternal Kingdom. So let us rejoice and be truly thankful, for Jesus is our One, True and Only Savior, both now and always. Amen.
(John 6v14)

Gloria Patri : Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.

Children’s Sermon

Encountering God
Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing


Leader: Your healing love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.
People: Your strength is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep.
Leader: O LORD, we pray that you will preserve our lives and loved ones. How precious is your unfailing love and mercy to us!
People: May our families and friends find refuge in Your presence and healing from all that harms them.
Leader May we all regain our health and strength from the abundance of Your power; may You grant us our petitions and delight us with Your grace.
People: For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light; through Your peace, we are released from pain; by Your love we are set free from our fears. Hear us now as we pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Leader: Living and Gracious Lord, continue Your love to those who need You, Your healing to the most cherished of our hearts. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 36)


Prayer for Illumination :

Reader : Holy Spirit, challenge and change us through the truths that these sacred scriptures reveal. Move our hearts and show us how to fulfill Christ’s message in our daily lives. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen. (Acts 2:37)

Scripture Readings :

Sermon


The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory:
Dedication : Lord Jesus, You know us completely and perfectly understand everything about our lives. We often fail to fulfill our service and devotion to You, and yet You still allow us to receive the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation. With humble and sincere thanks, we offer You our time, talents and money. Take these tokens of our gratitude and bless them for the continuing life, work and ministry of Your Church in this community, across this nation and throughout the world. In Your Precious Name, we pray. Amen.
( 1 Cor 11v28)

Hymn :

Benediction: May Christ protect us from our sinful nature and keep us on His Holy path; may the Father continually cultivate our faith through His Love and Grace; and may the Holy Spirit enable us to branch out into the world to effectively witness to God’s kingdom, glory and power. Both now and forever. Amen. ( Romans 11v24)

Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost!

Postlude