Sunday Prayers - Ordinary 25 - Sept 18

Approaching God

Prelude

Welcome & Announcements

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

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

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

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

First Hymn:

           

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

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

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

- Silent Confessions -

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

           

Promise of the Gospel:

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

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

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

Encountering God

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

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

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

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

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

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

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

           

Singing of 'Jesus, Draw Me Close.’

Prayer of Illumination:

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

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

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

Closing Hymn:

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

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

Sunday Worship Prayers: 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Ordinary 25 - September 19

Approaching God

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Gathering Song & Prelude

Hymn:

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:             Almighty God, whose justice is based on mercy and whose judgments are full of grace, we praise You for the promises of hope and the covenants of faith that You have made and sustained. You have gathered us to come and worship You in this holy sanctuary. We offer our praise and honor Your Divine Name.

People:            Gracious Father, we have faltered in our faith and diminished our dedication to You through our pride, selfishness, and sinful choices. We have allowed ourselves to be deceived by our desires and distracted by delusions. Please do not abandon us to our unfaithful ways and unfruitful lives. Forgive us for surrendering to temptation, and for neglecting Your Holy commands. Hear us now, as we seek Your pardon, in our silent prayers.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                         Precious Lord, only Your Son Jesus can save us from our sins. Only He can rescue us from the eternal consequences of our past mistakes and foolish choices. He is the Savior of our souls and the Restorer of our salvation. We make these confessions in Christ's Name and continue to pray in His everlasting words saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                         Jesus was sent to teach us new and passionate ways to worship and adore God. He glorified His Heavenly Father by completing the works He set out to accomplish. Christ's sacrifice saved our souls. Christ's teaching restored us to God. Christ's obedience reclaimed us as the sons and daughters of the One, True and Living God, both now 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:             We have come from our homes, O God, to come to Your house of holiness and healing. In this sacred sanctuary, we dedicate our lives to Your dominion and power.

People:            When we are overwhelmed with fear or anxiety, we need Your peaceful presence. When our hearts are filled with hope and we seek to celebrate our happiness, we delight in Your loving presence, O Lord.

Pastor:             When our bodies experience pain and our loved ones are distressed, we need Your healing presence. Gracious Lord, heal us, our loved ones, and all for whom we pray from everything that harms us in body, mind , heart and soul.

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

Pastor:             May the Lord answer our prayers by changing our lives, refreshing our spirits, and healing our wounds. In Jesus' Name, we humbly pray. Amen.
(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 114)

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw Me Close’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:            Holy Spirit, touch our hearts with today’s scriptures and transform our thinking. Keep us focused on our faith and grant us opportunities to apply this lesson in our daily lives. In Jesus' Name, we ask and pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication: (unison)
Lord Jesus, You have granted us understanding of Your ways and given us guidance for our lives. We thank You for these blessings and show our gratitude by offering our gifts and tithes to You. Take them and bless them for the work of Your church, which continues to glorify God and His Kingdom. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.


Closing Hymn:

Benediction: (unison) May Christ enable us to endure faithfully and witness effectively each day; may the Father continue to encourage us with His everlasting love; and may the Holy Spirit enhance our hope, so that we may worship and glorify the One, Triune and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday prayers - 25th Sunday In Ordinary Time - September 20

Approaching God

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Gathering Song & Prelude

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer

Guide: Almighty and Powerful God, whose strength supports our people and whose purpose directs our lives, we praise and magnify Your Holy Name. You are the Lord of the storm and sunshine, and the Creator of Heaven and Earth. We lift up our hearts before You, with adoration, joy and thanksgiving.

People: Everlasting Father, who showers us with many blessings and who pours out compassion, care and concern over our lives, we acknowledge You as the Sovereign of our souls and the Holy King of our hearts.

Guide: Gracious God, we appeal to Your mercy and grace, asking forgiveness of all our past mistakes and present sinfulness. Hear us now as we silently confess our faults to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Compassionate Lord, we humbly thank You for Your Son Jesus, the Christ who saves us from our sins. We pledge our lives to Jesus and unite our hearts to Him through His Holy words of prayer, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide: Christ urges us to live our lives by remaining dedicated to God and His Kingdom. When we fail to live up to this expectation, Jesus redirects our paths and forgives us of our past mistakes. Christ is our Way, Truth and Life; there is nothing false in Him, so let us rejoice and give glory to our Savior 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

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: We love the LORD, for He hears our prayers and cries of concern. Because He addresses our prayers, we will call on Him all of our lives.

People: When we experience dread and fear, when we are anxious and beset by trouble, then we will call upon the Sacred Name of the LORD to save and heal us. The LORD is gracious and righteous; He is full of compassion.

Pastor: O LORD, protect us and all our loved ones. For those in need of strength and care, heal them from all that harms them in body, mind, heart and soul. Hear us now as we quietly pray.

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

Pastor: May our souls be at rest and our fears all subside, for the LORD will be good to us. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 116)

The Message: Part #1

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw Me Close’

Prayer for Illumination:

Reader: Holy Spirit, come into our hearts and minds and envelop our spirits with the sacred scriptures. Let Christ's teaching carry us, so that we may bury the past, have hope in the present, and serve Him throughout the future. In Christ's Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message: Part #2 & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication(unison):

Lord Jesus, when we come together to sing hymns, say our prayers, and receive Your message, You expect us to apply the things that we have learned and respond by the giving of our lives to You. As we gather these tithes and offerings, we do so to bring glory to Your Name and to promote, preach about, and prosper the continuing ministry of God's Kingdom in this church, community, and across the world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction(unison): May Christ make us one heart to serve Him; may the Father make us one voice to praise Him; and may the Holy Spirit make us one church to glorify the One, Triune and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

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

Sunday Prayers: 25th in Ordinary Time - 21 Sep 2008

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude & Gathering Song

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer

Guide: Almighty Lord, whose holiness and perfection are beyond our comprehension; whose power and glory are infinitely above all that we can achieve; we humbly bow in Your Presence, seeking Your Salvation and the comfort of Your Grace. We are ashamed of our selfish behavior and sinful lives. Instead of following Your ways, we sometimes choose to be led by our greed and desires, our opinions and pride.

People: Gracious Father, speak to our hearts and change our foolish ways. In the midst of our problems and struggles with life, be our constant guide. When fear or anxiety threaten our faith, be our strength and shield. When we selfishly fall away from Your influence and care, grasp hold of our souls and return us to Your Love.

Guide: Merciful Lord, when our familiarity with You breeds contempt and when we take You for granted, doing our own things, living our own lives and cheapening Your Grace, forgive us and cleanse us, reclaim us and restore us through Your Son Jesus Christ, to whom we now individually and silently pray for pardon.
- SILENCE -

Guide: Heavenly Lord, we thank You the forgiveness of our past mistakes and personal sins. We praise You for bringing Jesus into the world and our lives, so that we may have the opportunity of being restored to Your Holy Kingdom.

People: In the Name of our Savior, we make these prayers and unite our hearts in His Spirit, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)


Promise of the Gospel:
Guide: Jesus is the sacrificial Lamb of God, whose perfect obedience and holy life fulfilled God’s great plan of salvation. Through Jesus, we have the opportunity to be forgiven of our sins, renewed in spirit, and perfectly prepared for God’s Coming Kingdom. So let us rejoice and be glad, for Christ, our Messiah reigns! Amen.

Gloria Patri

Children’s Sermon : (Parents and children come forward to the front of the church)

Encountering God


Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; For He founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.
People: We have come into God’s Holy Presence, seeking His peace in this Holy place. O Lord cleanse our souls and grant healing for our hearts; lift up our spirits and lead us by Your Truth.
Pastor: May we receive these blessings from the LORD and may our loved ones be touched by our Savior’s healing power. May we be united as a generation of those who seek Him, who seek God’s healing in all our lives. Hear us now as we pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor: The Lord is strong and mighty. He is the King of Glory and the Healer of our lives. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.
(Healing Prayer based on words from Psalm 24)

Anthem

Singing of “Jesus, Draw Me Close.”

Prayer of Illumination
Reader : Holy Spirit, make us glad in our hearts as we rejoice in Christ’s holy words. Enable us to live in hope through the power of the Gospel. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings, Sermon And Apostles Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (in unison) : Lord Jesus, we follow Your Loving example by sacrificing these gifts from our resources and humbly placing them before Your Holy Throne. Bless these tokens of gratitude for the work of Your church here on earth. Help us to use these gifts for the proclamation of Your Word, the enhancing of Your Kingdom and the glorifying of Your Name. Amen.

Hymn :

Benediction: (in unison) May Jesus speak to our spirits and lead us everyday; may the Father fortify our faith and send us out into the world; and may the Holy Spirit empower us to minister to the people we encounter each and everyday. Glory be to God forevermore. Amen.