Sunday Worship prayers - Palm Sunday - March 24

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Youth:                   Hosanna to the Lord in the highest Heaven!

All:                          Blessed are those who welcome Him into their hearts.

Youth:                   May the Lord come among us and bless us forever. Amen!

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration & Confession

Guide:                  Almighty and Everlasting God, we gather together as Your Holy people, called and chosen to be in this sacred place of praise and prayer, of joy and jubilation. We welcome Your Son Jesus Christ into our hearts and seek to please You by worshipping Him.

People:                 Gracious Lord, we know that we have been foolish, selfish, and sinful at times. We recognize that we have made mistakes, as well as bad choices and faithless decisions. We are sorry for those moments when temptation has caused us to get angry, be bitter, remain proud, and be insensitive to those around us. Hear us now as we confess our faults and silently pray.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Eternal Lord, on this special day which starts this Holy Week, we look forward to the victory of Christ over sin and death. His sacrifice has cleared our mistakes. His grace can renew and bring rebirth to our lives. We make our petitions 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, yet He has to deal with our sinful nature and human failings. He has overcome both death and sin, so that 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 (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:                 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. The Lord has done marvelous deeds among His people, therefore let us ask Him to heal our lives.

People:                 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. Gracious God, there is power and strength in this sanctuary; listen to our prayers and 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

Pastor:                 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 ‘Sanctuary.’

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, we ask. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (in unison – led by pastor): 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 forevermore. Amen. 

Hymn

Benediction: ( in unison)              May Christ resurrect our faith by becoming 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, and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday prayers: Passion Sunday 2010 - Palm Sunday March 28

Approaching God

Welcome and announcements

Gathering & Prelude

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer

Guide: Lord of all the Earth and King of every nation, we applaud Your glorious deeds and exalt Your Name above all others. Your power has been praised by every generation. You have enhanced our lives with hope and faith.

People:  Glorious God of the Universe, we seek to serve You in this sacred sanctuary; we look to laud and honor You with our hearts and lives. You know everything about us. You have seen us sin and have watched us yield to temptation. We crave Your forgiveness of all our faults and we plead for pardon of our past mistakes. Hear us now as we silently confess to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Gracious Lord, Your sovereignty extends over all our lives. You are above and beyond all that we can ever experience or know. Without Your mercy, our lives are meaningless. Without Your Son, we have no salvation. We make these petitions in the Name of Jesus, the Holy One whose sacrifice cleanses our sins. In His own words, we now pray, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  We can only go to Jesus for forgiveness, for He alone has the authority to restore us to God; He alone has the words of eternal life. So let us rejoice and be glad, for Jesus is our Savior and Lord 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

Minute for Mission: One Great Hour of Sharing

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: O LORD, You teach us lessons of faith in times of trouble. Hear us now as we pray. O God, grant us relief from sickness and suffering; help us to hold on to hope and courage.

People:                        In the face of fear, never forsake us. In times of isolation, be our Comforter. Help us and heal us, O Lord. Strengthen and support us, console our spirits and lighten our burdens.

Pastor:              Loving Lord, when we are overcome with worry or weariness, grant us peace of mind and rest for our souls. When we are anxious about our families and friends, bring them wholeness and healing to generation joy in their lives. Hear us now as we pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit

Pastor: The LORD is our fortress of faith and the rock, in whom we take refuge. In Jesus’ Name, we pray.  Amen.

                        (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 94)

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw Me Close’

Prayer for Illumination:

Reader:             Holy Spirit, may we continue to praise God for all that happens in these scriptures. May these stories and events draw us closer to His ways and enable us to share our faith with other people. In Jesus’ Name, we ask. Amen.

Scripture Readings

Sermon

Serving God

Offering & Offertory:

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, You have clearly called us to be here today. We have learned of Your ways and studied God's Word. Bless these offerings and tithes to Your continuing work in this world. May our gifts enhance Your mission to spread the Gospel throughout our community and all over the earth. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Hymn:

Benediction(unison):  May Christ enable us to live each day for Him alone; may the Father free us from fear and keep us in His constant care; and may the Holy Spirit bolster our faith, so that we may belong to the One, Triune and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology         Praise God, from whom all blessings flow & Postlude

Sunday Prayers - Palm Sunday / Passion Sunday

Approaching God

Welcome & announcements

Gathering Song & prelude

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer
Guide: LORD God Almighty, Creator of the Universe and Sustainer of our lives, we come to You with our prayers and petitions, our cares and concerns. You have called us by name to come into Your House. You have welcomed us to this sanctuary of praise and peace, holiness and healing.

People: Loving God, in the midst of our troubles, we call upon Your Name. We look for Your help and inspiration; Your patience and forgiveness; and Your mercy and grace. We have sinned against You by allowing ourselves to be overcome by temptation. We have neglected our faith and cast aside Your words. Forgive our foolish ways and selfish choices. Hear us now as we silently pray.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Merciful Father, You lovingly allow us to approach Your Holy Son Jesus to seek forgiveness, absolution, and acquittal for our sins. We praise You for sending Him to us and for His perfect sacrifice, which restores us to Your everlasting Favor. In Christ’s Name and through His words, we continue to pray, saying, “Our Father,…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel
Guide: We believe and know that Christ is the Holy One of God. His Passion and obedience, His Crucifixion and sacrifice, have given us the glorious opportunity of remitting our sins, renewing our lives, and restoring us to God's love and kingdom 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)

Baptism

Encountering God

Minute for Mission

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: Come, let us pray for healing from the LORD; let us voice our concerns to the Rock of our salvation. We come before God with personal pleas; we pray to Him sincerely and faithfully.

People: The LORD is the great God, the great King above all. He will hear our prayers and answer our needs. O Lord, from Your hands comes the power of healing; have mercy upon us, as we belong to You.

Pastor: We are His, for He made us; He shapes our lives and has the power to save our souls. Almighty God, we bow down before You; heal us and all our loved ones from sickness and despair; pain and anxiety; suffering and depression. Hear us now as we quietly pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit

Pastor: The LORD is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.
(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 95)

The Message: Part #1

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw Me Close’

Prayer for Illumination:
Reader: Holy Spirit, let the words and ways of Jesus touch our hearts today. May His miracles and messages challenge our lives so that we may change our church, community and country. To the glory of God forever. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message Part #2 & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory:
Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, we express our faith and thanksgiving through these tithes and offerings. Bless them for the life, work and ministry of Your church, as well as the preaching, teaching and proclaiming of Your Gospel. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Communion

Hymn

Benediction (unison): May Christ be the Lord of our lives throughout our days on earth; may the Father enhance our faith and life through His loving ways; and may the Holy Spirit keep us serving the One, Triune and Living God, in this world and the next. Amen.

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