Easter 4 Sunday worship prayers - May 11

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Liturgist:               The Earth belongs to the LORD and everything in it, therefore we will praise His glorious Name!

People:                 We seek Your face, O Living God; we praise You with our hearts and voices.

Liturgist:               Let us worship the King of Glory, the Lord of heaven and Earth! Amen.

Hymn:

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Eternal Creator of Life, whose precious words gave birth to the Universe and whose wonderful ways sustain this planet we call Earth, we approach You with our prayers and praise, asking that You will hear our heartfelt cries and be pleased with our songs of salvation.

People:                 Merciful Father, we know that our lives are not perfect, nor are we fully faithful or thoroughly devoted to You. We have gone astray at times and fallen into temptation; we have let sin overtake our souls and permitted greed to damage our spirits. Gracious God, forgive the mistakes that we have made, the disappointments we have caused, the responsibilities we have neglected, and the blessings we have wasted. Hear us now as we confess our sins to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Compassionate God, thank You for hearing our prayers and petitions. Thank You for bringing Jesus into our lives. We know that His Sacrifice has canceled all our sins, and that He has created clean hearts, new lives, and faithful spirits within all of us. We make our prayers in Jesus’ Name and unite our hearts with Him, saying,

“Our Father...THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide: Jesus is the Bread of Life that we need to nourish our souls and strengthen our spirits. He alone has the power and authority to forgive our sins, in order to restore us to God’s favor and grace. So let us celebrate His goodness and glorify His love, 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.

Children’s sermon – Kids & parents come down to front of the church

Encountering God

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 Be merciful to us, O God, for our worries burden us, especially when we are under pressure. O Lord, when we are anxious and afraid, help us to trust in You.  Take away our fears and grant us peace of mind. We place our lives, and our loved ones into Your Holy hands.

People:                 We pledge ourselves to Your Holy Son and humbly ask that You will heal us, as well as all whom we pray for, from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and spirit. Hear us now as we personally pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 May we walk before the Lord in the light of His love. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.   

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 56)

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, may we come to Christ as we read and hear these sacred scriptures. May we be drawn closer to Him, so that we may serve in and advance His wonderful ministry on Earth. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message and the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (in unison – led by pastor): Lord Jesus, we all belong to Your body of believers, so we are called to support Your continuing ministry in our community and throughout the Earth. Sanctify our tithes and gifts, allowing them to be used for the life, work, and mission of Your Church. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Hymn

Benediction (in unison):               May Christ’s grace keep us humble; may the Father’s blessings keep us faithful; and may the Holy Spirit’s guidance keep us loving and serving the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Worship Prayers - Easter 4C - April 21

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Youth:                   Almighty God, we come into Your Holy House to praise and glorify Your Everlasting Name.

People:                 We have been called to be here today, to sing our songs of praise and make our loving prayers.

Youth:                   May we please You with our praises and be blessed with Your Sacred Presence. Amen.

Hymn

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Immortal God, who brought Life into being and whose will sustains the entire universe, we approach You as the children of Your Grace and as servants of Your Kingdom. Your ways are mysterious to us, and yet Your love is known by all. Today we glorify Your greatness and magnify Your Holy Name.

People:  Merciful Father, You know that we struggle with temptation and wrestle with sin. You know all of our weaknesses and can list every mistake that we have ever made. In Your patience and benevolence, have mercy upon us. Forgive our foolish and selfish ways. Hear us now as we silently pray.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Everlasting God, we cannot earn salvation for ourselves. We depend upon Jesus to grant us complete forgiveness. Only He can save us from our sins. Only He can restore us to Your eternal love and favor. Hear us now as we unite our hearts with His, through the saying of Christ's own words: “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  Christ forgives us, even when we betray and deny Him. He has the power to cleanse us of the past and can restore us to the riches of God's grace. May we be thankful and rejoice in the Lord, for He has saved our souls and returned us to the eternal love of God.  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:                 The LORD reigns, let us all be glad; let those both near and far rejoice. Our prayers and petitions are made to Him, for righteousness and justice are the foundations of His love.

People:                 Let us place our prayers before God, knowing that He receives them from all of our hearts. O Lord, light up our lives with Your favors and blessings; let us see Your compassion and know that You care.

Pastor:                  Our fears melt our courage and our worries meddle with our faith, yet we will continue to ask the Lord for the healing of all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and spirit. Heavenly Father, we proclaim Your righteousness and ask to see Your glory in the lives of our loved ones who are suffering from sickness and injury, unease and fear, worry and discomfort.  Hear us now as we quietly pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 The light of the Lord's love is shed upon us; His joy is showered upon our hearts. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

                                (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 97)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, may the words of our Sovereign Lord. who made the Heavens and the Earth, penetrate our minds and enter our hearts. May we gladly receive the blessings of Christ as He teaches us through His life and ministry, both now and always. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message and the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor):       Lord Jesus, we have grasped the meaning of Your giving through the preaching of Your word. In return, we gather before You our tithes and offerings. We do this to please You, asking that You bless all of these resources for the building up of Your church, the proclaiming of the Gospel, and the praising of God's Name.  Amen. 

Hymn

Benediction (unison):    May Christ keep us from judging other people's mistakes by helping us to remember that He has forgiven our own; may the Father bless us with tolerance and compassion for one another; and may the Holy Spirit bring us to God's judgment seat as faithful and dutiful servants, both now and forevermore. Amen.

Doxology and Postlude

Sunday Worship Prayers - 4th Sunday of Easter - Easter 4a - 15 May

Approaching God

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Prelude

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration & Confession

Guide:                         Almighty Father, whose Sacred Word brought this universe into being, and whose Divine Will sustains all life, we approach You as Your humble servants and children. Your ways are never thwarted, and Your  works signify Your immortal greatness; we applaud Your plan of salvation and we worship You above all else.

People:            Gracious God, before we knew You, we were enemies of Your kingdom, and rebelled against Your Son. We have been reckless with our time, and wasteful with our lives. We constantly surrender to temptation and give way to our fears. Save us from our sinful and selfish ways. Keep us from damaging our souls and diminishing our faith. Help us to ask for forgiveness and to seek Your grace. Hear us now as we silently confess to You.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                         Heavenly Lord, without Jesus as our Savior, we would be cast away from Your loving presence forever. Without His sacrifice, we would have no opportunity to be forgiven nor restored to Your everlasting kingdom. Thank You for sending Jesus among us, and for the gift of the Holy Spirit to Your True Church on Earth, who guides and counsels us. We make these prayers in Christ's Name and through His own words continue to pray, saying, Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                         Jesus challenged the people, rulers, and leaders of His day to repent of their sins and be restored to God. Today, we face the same challenges from Christ. We have humbly confessed our sins and sincerely sought His mercy. Let us rejoice and be glad, for Jesus is our Savior and we are accepted by God.

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:             We revere the Lord and seek His blessings; we come into His presence and abide in Him. May the Lord grant us health and healing, strength and support. May the fruits of our prayers enhance our faith and increase our devotion to Him.

People:                        May our loved ones and siblings, our families and friends receive help and power, energy and resolve to overcome their illnesses and anxieties, their troubles and worries. We seek peace for our souls, health for our hearts, and strength for our minds.

Pastor:             Gracious God, have mercy upon as we ask for healing. May we experience Your Holy Spirit and be restored physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Hear us now as we silently pray, for our loved ones and neighbors, our families and ourselves.

.

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

Pastor:             May the LORD favor us with His blessings of health and strength. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 128)

Singing of 'Jesus, Draw Me Close’. (Choir leads this)

Prayer of Illumination:

Reader:            Holy Spirit, You inspired the disciples of long ago to spread Christ's Good News and to proclaim the victory of God's Kingdom over all the earth. Lift up our spirits in the same ways and rekindle our faith. In Christ's Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

Sermon & The Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, we have sang Your praises and received Your message. We have been empowered by Your Spirit and embraced by God. Take these gifts and tokens, tithes and offerings as our cheerful response to Your Word and our grateful thanks for Your Love. Bless them for the continuing work of the Gospel, the glorifying of God's Kingdom and the praising of Your Name. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison):              May Christ continue to welcome us into His flock; may the Father enhance our faith and friendships in Him; and may the Holy Spirit challenge and convert our ways, so that we may glorify, worship and serve the One Triune and Living God forevermore. Amen.

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

Sunday prayers - 4th Sunday of Easter - Easter 4 - 3 May

Approaching God

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Gathering Song & Prelude

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer

Guide: Almighty God, whose power controls the Universe and whose kingdom never ends, we humbly approach You as servants and children of Your grace, as seekers and followers of Your ways. You know all of our secrets and see everything that happens in our lives. Help us to focus our minds on You alone, and open our hearts to Your will.

People:  Merciful Father, sometimes we set aside our faith. We neglect to support the needs of other people. We omit to set aside time to worship You each day. We follow our own selfish impulses and to choose to fulfill our sinful desires. Have mercy upon us and forgive our foolish deeds. Be patient with us and pardon us for the mistakes we make, the faults that we have, and the sins we commit. Hear us now as we silently make our confessions.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Compassionate Lord, instead of causing us to hide from Your anger and flee from Your wrath, You graciously allow us to seek forgiveness from Jesus Christ, Your Holy Son. His mercy endures forever through His sacrificial obedience to You, and we are thankful for His grace. In Christ's name, we pray and through His own precious words, we unite our hearts saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  Christ is our shelter from sin and we abide in His mercy. He deletes our past mistakes and opens our lives to the love of God. He calls us by name, so that we may celebrate, feast and rejoice in His goodness, grace and glory. So let us be truly glad and worship our Savior 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

Minute for Mission

 

Prayers for Health and Healing

 

Pastor: The LORD reigns over all the nations. He sits enthroned above the Earth. Great is the LORD throughout the world. He is exalted above all others.

Guide:             We praise the great and awesome Name of God. We seek His holiness and healing. The LORD is our mighty King. We pray for His favor, help, and strength

Pastor:              As we exalt the LORD, may He hear and bless our prayers. As we worship His ways, may He heal us by His love. O LORD our God, we ask that You will answer our prayers. Release us from our restless ways. Save us from sickness. Deliver us from distress and disease. Heal us and all our loved ones 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: Let us praise and worship our God in this holy sanctuary, for He is gracious and merciful, benevolent and compassionate. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

                        (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 99)

Choir Anthem

The Message: Part # 1

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw Me Close’

Prayer for Illumination:

Reader:             Holy Spirit, may we take our stand with Jesus, the King of all the earth. May these scriptures help us to gather our thoughts together, so that we can focus on His teaching, His Truth, and His Life. In the Name of Jesus, our Lord and Anointed One, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message Part #2 & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication(unison): Lord Jesus, You have spoken to us through Your gospel. We have interpreted Your words and seek to apply Your ways in our daily lives. In response, we bring to You our gifts and tithes. We ask that You will bless these tokens of gratitude for the purpose, work and ministry of Your Kingdom in this community and throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Communion

 

Benediction(unison):  May Christ enable us to give our lives to Him alone; may the Father keep us accountable for all that we seek to do in His Name; and may the Holy Spirit lead, guide, and counsel us each day, so that we may glorify God both now and always. Amen.

 

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

Sunday Prayers Easter 4 13 April 2008

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude & Gathering

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer
Guide: Almighty and Everlasting King, Most Merciful and Majestic God, we gather in this place of peace and praise, of joy and jubilation, as one family of faith, one church of Christ. On this day we celebrate the victory of Your Son Jesus Christ. We proclaim His power over all of our lives, His authority to forgive our mistakes, and His ability to change our lives.
People: Gracious Lord, we know that we have been foolish, selfish and sinful at times. We recognize that we have made mistakes, bad choices and faithless decisions. We are truly sorry for those moments when temptation has caused us to get angry, be bitter, remain proud or be insensitive to those around us. Hear us now as we confess our faults and silently pray.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Eternal Lord, on this Sabbath day, we claim the victory of Christ over temptation, sin, and death. His sacrifice has cleared our mistakes. His grace can renew and bring rebirth to our lives.
People: We make our prayers in the Name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray, saying, “Our Father, …THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel
Guide: Christ chooses us to become His disciples, even though He has to deal with our sinful nature and human failings. He has overcome both death and sin, so our souls can be resurrected to a new beginning. Let us rejoice and give thanks, for Christ has blessed us with an everlasting hope and He has saved our lives forever. 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

Minute for Mission: VBS

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: Let us praise the LORD with new hearts; let us rejoice with all the earth and glorify His Name. Each day, we will proclaim the Lord's salvation; each week, we will come to Him with our praises.
People: The Lord has done marvelous deeds among His people, therefore we ask Him to heal our lives. O LORD, You are great and most worthy of our worship; You are above and beyond all that we know.
Pastor: O LORD, You made the heavens and sustain the nations; be merciful to us and grant us healing from all that harms us in body, mind, heart and soul. Your power and strength are in this sanctuary; listen to our prayers and mercifully attend to the needs of our loved ones who are ill, distressed, worried or depressed.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit

ALL: We will worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness. We will give thanks throughout this day. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.
(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 96)

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw Me Close’

Prayer for Illumination:
Reader: Holy Spirit, release us from our fears and restore us to God's heart. Open our minds to this glorious message of hope, so that we may gladly receive Christ as our King and report His words to all our people. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Scripture Readings & Sermon & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory:

Dedication: (unison) Lord Jesus, through the act of cheerful and thankful giving, we offer You these tokens. Bless them for Your wonderful ways that have changed the world forever. Enable us to rededicate our lives this day, in the holy service of Your Kingdom. Both now and forever. Amen.

Hymn

Benediction: (unison) May Christ resurrect our faith by becoming the Lord of our lives; may we know the Father's compassion and grace throughout our days; and may the Holy Spirit keep us glorifying and worshipping the One, Triune God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude