Sunday Worship prayers - Epiphany 2C - Jan 20

Approaching God

Welcome and announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Youth:                   Let us joyfully come and freely worship the Lord our God.

People:                We praise His loving ways and glorify His wonderful deeds.

Youth:                   Let us honor God from our hearts and praise Him from our lips. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty and Eternal God, in whose holy presence we live, and for whose predestined purposes we are sustained, accept the prayers and praises that we express from our lips and hearts. To You alone, we dedicate this time of worship and exaltation. In You alone, we place all our faith, hope, and love.

People:                 Gracious Lord, we confess that there are times when we make bad choices, which separate us from You. There are moments in our lives when we are stubborn and disobedient, proud and resentful, as well as prejudiced and bitter. Forgive our self-centered and faithless ways. Hear us now as we silently make our confessions.

SILENCE –

Guide: Loving Father, You have given Jesus to us as the Way to forgiveness, the Truth of salvation, and the Life which leads us to restoration. In Him, through Him, and by Him, we are saved and renewed, pardoned and reunited to You forever. In Christ’s words, we lift up our prayers, saying: “Our Father…” (The Lord’s Prayer – debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                                  Christ obeyed God completely throughout His life. As God’s Perfect and Holy Son, He made the supreme and sacred sacrifice that paid for all of our sins. In Jesus, we have the One, True, and Living Savior, who sets us free from our past mistakes and restores us to God forevermore. Amen.

Gloria Patri (sung in unison) : Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.

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

Encountering God

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                  O Lord, when we are afraid or if our faith is weak, help us to look to Your promises. You are our refuge and our shield; we place our confidence in Your Word alone.

People:                 Cast out our doubts and fears. Help us to remain focused on Your power. Sustain us with Your almighty strength; do not let our hopes be dashed.

Pastor:                  Keep our thoughts from being distracted by our fears. Help us to follow You in faith. Heal us, and all our loved ones, from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul. Hear us now as we quietly and sincerely pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 Lord, we abide in Your loving presence. We remain in awe of Your amazing love and healing power. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.    (Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 119:Samekh)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, enable us to receive the message and purpose of these scriptures. Keep us from trivializing the truth. Open our hearts and minds to all that Christ gives us through His actions and words. In His Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (in unison, led by pastor):    Lord Jesus, through the power of the Gospel, we are brought closer to You. By the gracious presence of the Holy Spirit, we are given the priceless gift of salvation. Gladly and cheerfully, we bring to You our tithes and gifts as a thanksgiving offering. Take and receive them for Your continuing work in this church and throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Hymn:

Benediction (in unison):  May the Father’s amazing love fill us with joy and peace as we trust in Him; may the Son open up opportunities of service and devotion to Him each day;  and may we  overflow with hope by the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, One God forevermore. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Worship Prayers - Ordinary 2 - Jan 15

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 prayer: Ordinary 2A - Epiphany 2 - January 16

Approaching God


Announcements and A Word of Welcome

Prelude

First Hymn:

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:         All-powerful and Eternal Creator, in Whose presence we gather and into Whose holiness we assemble; accept the praises we offer from our lips, and the prayers we make from our hearts. You sustain us each day and Your compassion comes to us morning after morning, therefore we dedicate this sacred time to worship and adore Your holy ways, to glorify and exalt Your wondrous deeds.

People:       Gracious Father, we confess that we permit sin to sweep over our souls, which causes us to be separated from You. At times, we can be stubborn and disobedient, proud and resentful, bad-tempered and bitter against You and other people. Forgive us for being self-centered and self-destructive; pardon our faithless and foolish ways. Challenge us to change our lives, and lead us back to Your love. Hear us now as we personally make our silent confessions to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:       Living Lord, You have given us Jesus as the Way to forgiveness, the Truth of salvation, and the Life which leads us to restoration. In Him, through Him, and by Him, we are saved and renewed, pardoned and reunited to You forever. In the Name of Christ, we bring our confessions and prayers; and in whose holy words, we now conclude our petitions by saying, "Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER(debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:       Jesus was with humanity on Earth for only a short time, but during His life, He managed to completely obey God. He became His Perfect Son and, because of that, His sacrificial death was totally sufficient and perfectly holy to pay the complete price God demanded for our mistakes. So let us rejoice and be glad, for Jesus is our One, True and Living Savior, who sets us free from our sins and restores us to God forevermore. 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:       O Lord, when we are afraid or our faith is weak, help us to believe in Your promises. You are our refuge and our shield; we place our hopes in Your word alone.

People:       Lord God, cast out our doubts and fears. Help us to remain focused on Your power. Sustain us with Your almighty strength; do not let our hopes be dashed.

Pastor:       Uphold us by Your love and we shall be delivered; enable us to recognize Your healing ways. Keep our thoughts from being distracted by our fears. Help us to follow You faithfully. Heal us and all our loved ones from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul. Hear us now as we quietly and sincerely pray.

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

Pastor:       Lord, we remain in Your loving presence. We stand in awe of Your amazing love and healing power. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

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

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw Me Close’.

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:       Holy Spirit, help us to lock on to the meaning of these scriptures. Guard us from treating these holy words lightly, and enable us to open our hearts and minds to all that Christ gives through the actions of His Church and His words, both now and always. Amen.

Scripture Readings

Sermon and The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering and Offertory

Dedication(unison):


Lord Jesus, by Your Gospel, we are saved, if we hold firmly to Your sacred words. In response, we bring to You our tithes and offerings, our resources and lives. Take them for the sharing of the Gospel and the advancement of Your word in this church, community, and throughout the Earth. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison):       May Christ answer all of the questions that we have about life; may the Father keep us from falling and from completing His purpose for our lives; and may the Holy Sprit enable us to freely and gladly come into the everlasting presence of the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and always. Amen.


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

Sunday prayers for Epiphany 2 - Second Sunday in Epiphany - January 17

Approaching God

Welcome & announcements

Gathering Song & Prelude

First Hymn:

Prayers of Confession

Guide: All-powerful and Eternal Creator, in whose presence we gather, and into whose holiness we assemble; accept the praises we offer from our lips, and the prayers we make from our hearts.

People: Immortal God, who sustains us each day and whose compassion comes to us morning after morning, we dedicate this sacred time to worship and adore Your holy ways, to glorify and exalt Your wondrous deeds.

Guide: Gracious Father, we confess that we permit sin to sweep over our souls, which causes us to be separated from You. Forgive us for being self-centered and self-destructive; faithless and foolish, hard-hearted and dishonest at times. Challenge us to change our ways, and lead us back to Your love. Hear us now as we personally make our silent confessions to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Merciful Lord, You have given us Jesus as the Way to forgiveness, the Truth of salvation, and the Life which leads us to restoration. In Him, through Him, and by Him, we are saved and renewed, pardoned and reunited to You forever. In His Name, we continue to pray saying: Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  Jesus was with us on earth for only a short time, but during His life He managed to completely obey God. He became His Perfect Son and because of that, His sacrificial death was totally sufficient and perfectly holy to pay the complete price God demanded for our mistakes. So let us rejoice and be glad, for Jesus is our One, True and Living Savior, who sets us free from our sins and restores us to God forevermore. 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:             O Lord, when we are afraid or our faith is weak, help us to look to Your promises. You are our refuge and our shield; we place our hopes in Your word alone.

People:                        Cast out our doubts and fears. Help us to remain focused on Your power. Sustain us with Your almighty strength; do not let our hopes be dashed.

Pastor:             Uphold us by Your love and we shall be delivered; enable us to recognize Your healing ways. Keep our thoughts from being distracted by our fears. Help us to follow You in faith. Heal us and all our loved ones from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul. Hear us now as we quietly and sincerely pray.

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

Pastor:             Lord, we remain in Your loving presence. We stand in awe of Your amazing love and healing power. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

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

The Message: Part 1

Singing of ‘Jesus Draw Me Close.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:             Holy Spirit, help us to lock on to the meaning of these scriptures. Guard us from treating these holy words lightly, and enable us to open our hearts and minds to all that Christ gives through His actions and words, both now and always. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message: Part 2  & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication(unison):   Lord Jesus, according to Your gospel, we are saved if we hold firmly to Your sacred words. In a loving response, we bring to You our tithes and offerings, our resources and lives. Take them for the good of the gospel and the work of Your word in this church, community, and throughout the earth. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction(unison): May Christ answer all the questions we have about life; may the Father keep us from falling and being hindered from completing His purpose in us; and may the Holy Sprit enable us to freely and gladly come into the everlasting presence of the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

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