Sunday Prayers Dec 27 - Christmas 1C

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Call to Worship

Pastor:                  As the Lord’s Name is praised over all the Earth, may we also offer Him our worship.

People:                 May we come into His presence, singing songs of salvation and declaring His deeds.

Pastor:                  Let us rejoice, for Christ is our Redeemer and we are united to Him forever. Amen.

Hymn   

               

End of Year Litany Prayer

Guide:                  Eternal God, we exist in Your universe and are sustained by Your grace.

People:                 By Your mercy, we are forgiven; with Your love, we are restored.

Guide:                  Forgive us for the sins we have selfishly committed throughout this year.

People:                 By Your mercy, we are forgiven; with Your love, we are restored.

Guide:                  Pardon us for any pain we have caused; for any harm we have done.

People:                 By Your mercy, we are forgiven; with Your love, we are restored.

Guide:                  Forgive us for telling lies, speaking harshly, and expressing anger.

People:                 By Your mercy, we are forgiven; with Your love, we are restored.

Guide:                  Pardon our moments of pride and stubbornness; our times of bitterness and rancor.

People:                 By Your mercy, we are forgiven; with Your love, we are restored.

Guide:                  Forgive our greedy and selfish ways; our self-centered moments and self-absorbed lifestyles.

People:                 By Your mercy, we are forgiven; with Your love, we are restored.

Guide:                  Pardon our neglect of those in need, as well as our uncharitable thoughts and deeds.

People:                 By Your mercy, we are forgiven; with Your love, we are restored.

Guide:                  Forgive our prejudices and judgmentalism, as well as our lack of love and understanding.

People:                 By Your mercy, we are forgiven; with Your love, we are restored.

Guide:                  Hear us now as we silently confess our sins to You alone.

Silence

Guide:                  By Your mercy, we are forgiven.  All: With Your love, we are restored. Amen.

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Jesus is the Savior of our souls and the redeemer of our lives. His presence make a vast difference concerning who we are, what we do, and what we have still to accomplish. He restores us to God because He sacrificed His life on our behalf. Therefore, let us be glad and rejoice, for Christ is our Everlasting Lord and Mighty King 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.

Anthem

Children’s Sermon

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                  O Living Lord, whenever we have been foolish and disappointed You, please forgive us. If we have been selfish and angered You, be merciful to us. Gracious Father, help us to be aware that sometimes we suffer sickness and experience illness because of our selfish ways and sinful habits.

People:                 O Loving Lord, moments of pain and isolation, fear and anxiety, even guilt and worry, overwhelm our spirits, damage our souls, weaken our bodies, and stifle our minds. Our faith can be feeble and our confidence is sometimes crushed. We need You, Lord, to save us from all that attacks us, and heal us from all that harms us. Hear us now, as we silently pray.

               

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                  Come quickly to us and help us, O Lord, our God and Savior. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 38)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                                Holy Spirit, prepare our hearts and minds for the promises of the Lord, which are revealed to us through these sacred scriptures. Help us to accept the wisdom of God’s ways, so that we may apply these lessons to our lives and teach them to each succeeding generation in this church and community. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings                         

Sermon

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor):                       Lord Jesus, despite our weaknesses, You still love us. Despite our failings, You still forgive us. In response to the abundant riches of Your Grace, we gather before You these gifts of our gratitude. Accept and bless them for the holy work of this church. Sanctify this offering for Your ministries and missions, which You have called upon us to begin, continue, and fulfill. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.   

Hymn                                   

Benediction (unison):                    May Christ continue to bless us loving and faithful ways; may the Father guide us in His goodness and love; and may the Holy Spirit inspire us each day and direct our devotion toward the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and forevermore. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude     

Sunday Prayers - Ordinary 28B - October 11

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Call to Worship

Pastor:                  As we are gathered, Jesus is here.

People:                 We acknowledge Christ as our Savior and Lord.

Pastor:                  Let us worship and glorify Him forever. Amen.

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty God, Maker of the Universe and Sustainer of Life, we come before You as servants seeking Your wisdom, as well as children cherishing Your love. We yield to Your authority and yearn for Your holiness. We freely submit to Your will and devote our lives to the application of Your Word.

People:                 Everlasting Majesty and Glorious Lord, You have the power to shake the foundations of our lives and to judge all of our sinful choices. You are totally aware of our selfish desires and foolish mistakes. We are guilty of greed and full of pride. We need to challenged and confronted by You each day, especially when we yield to temptation and fall into old sinful habits. Gracious God, hear us now, as we silently and personally confess our sins to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Loving Father, without Jesus we would not experience salvation. Without Christ’s sacrifice, we would be bereft of any everlasting hope. We know that we are sinners and that He is the only Savior of our souls. In the Name of Jesus, we make these confessions and through His holy words we continue to pray, saying, “Our Father...THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  Jesus is the Bread of Life, which means that He is the Only One who can sustain our spirits and nourish our souls. He has the authority to forgive our sins and the divine right to restore us to God. Let us celebrate and be glad, for Christ has come into our lives and we are fully forgiven of our sinful and selfish ways, 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.

Choir Anthem

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

Praise Song

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 We give thanks to You, O God, and glorify Your wonderful deeds. We pray that this sacred moment will become a special time of holiness and healing.

People:                 Heavenly Father, wherever we are, You are always with us. Whatever we face, You are there to support us. Examine our hearts and minds, as well as our bodies and souls. Pour out the blessing of Your healing power upon us and all our loved ones. Restore health and strength to all those for whom we now silently pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 Let us declare the goodness of the Lord forever. May we sing and celebrate His wonderful ways. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.      (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 75)

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, come among us and let us hear Jesus speak through these sacred scriptures. May His teaching and actions challenge our ways. May we cherish His words by applying them to our daily lives. In the Precious Name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message

Serving God

Offering & Offertory:

Dedication (unison – led by pastor): Lord Jesus, we bring before You our gifts and ask that You bless them to finance, aid, and support the many ministries and missions that You want us to support, through the lives, money, and resources of our congregation. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Hymn:

Benediction (unison):  May we submit to Christ’s compassion and share His love throughout our lives; may we fully serve and obey our Father in Heaven each and every day; and may the Holy Spirit establish faithful hearts and devoted souls within all of us, as we serve the One, Triune God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology             Praise God, from whom all blessings flow & Postlude

Sunday prayers - Ordinary 21B - August 23

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Call to Worship

Pastor:                  We have gathered in God’s House to glorify and praise His Holy Name.

People:                 May our songs of worship and heartfelt praises be acceptable to the Lord.

Pastor:                  Let us open our souls to the Holy Spirit’s bidding, as well as the blessings of Jesus. Amen.

Hymn

               

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty Lord, whose holiness and perfection are beyond our understanding, whose power and majesty are infinitely above all that we can ever accomplish; we humbly gather in Your Sacred Presence, seeking Your Salvation, as well as the assurance of Your Grace.

People:                 Gracious Father, speak to our hearts and direct our ways. When we take You for granted by doing our own things, which lead to bad decisions and sinful choices, please forgive and cleanse us. Reclaim us as Your people and restore us to Your Kingdom, through Your Son Jesus Christ, to whom we personally pray and silently ask for pardon.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Heavenly Lord, we thank You for the complete forgiveness of our past mistakes and personal sins. We praise You for sending Jesus into the human realm, so that we can be eternally restored to Your Divine Favor. In the Name of our Savior, we make these prayers and unite our hearts with His Spirit, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Jesus is the Merciful Lamb of God, whose perfect obedience and holy life fulfilled God’s great plan of salvation. Through Christ, our sins are forgiven and our spirits are renewed, so let us rejoice and be glad, for Jesus, our Messiah, reigns! Amen.

Gloria Patri (sung)

Anthem

Children’s Sermon

Praise Song

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                  The Earth belongs to God, and all that it contains. He made our world and established it solely by His power. We are always in His Holy presence, so we seek the blessing of God’s peace in this sacred place. May He hear our prayers and heal our lives.

People:                 O Lord, our God, may we and our loved ones be touched by Your healing power. May we know of Your strength, compassion, and grace. May we be restored to health by Your love, mercy, and peace. Hear us now, Lord, as we personally 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 ask these blessings. Amen. (Healing Prayer based on words from Psalm 24)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:                                Holy Spirit, may our hearts be gladdened as we read and receive God’s holy words. Enable us to live in hope and apply the life lessons of these sacred scriptures. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings                         

The Message & Apostles Creed.

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (in unison – led by pastor):                  Lord Jesus, are grateful for Your love, so we bring forward these gifts from our resources and humbly place them before Your Holy Throne. Bless these tokens for the work of Your church here on Earth. Help us to use them for the proclamation of Your Word, the advancing of Your Kingdom, and the glorifying of Your Name. Amen.

Hymn                   

Benediction (unison):    May Jesus speak to our spirits and lead us day by day; may the Father strengthen our faith and send us out into the world to do His bidding; and may the Holy Spirit empower us to help, serve, and encourage the people we encounter, each and every day. To the glory of the One, Triune, and Living God, forevermore. Amen.

Doxology and Postlude

Sunday Prayers for Ordinary 17B - July 26

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Call to Worship

Pastor:                 Lift up your hearts, all you people; shout to God with cries of joy.

People:                 How awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the Earth.

Pastor:                 Let us sing praises to God and rejoice; let us worship our Sovereign forevermore! Amen.

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                 All Powerful LORD, as we come into Your Holy Presence, we humbly know that You are beyond all that we can ever imagine, as well as beyond all that we can ever experience on Earth. Your Kingdom is limitless and Your Sovereignty over the universe is absolute, complete, and perfect.

People:                 Heavenly Father, we recognize that we are sinful creatures who often fall into temptation, allowing ourselves to be consumed by our ambitions, longings, and greed. We diminish our faith by feeding our desires; we allow hate and bitterness, as well as ignorance and pride to blemish our souls and invalidate our Christian beliefs. Forgive us and pardon us, redeem us and restore us to Your favor, O God. Hear us now as we silently pray.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                  Loving God, by the blood of Your Son, You spare us from eternal punishment and everlasting wrath. By His wounds, we are cleansed. By His grace, we are forgiven. We thank You for Jesus, who is our Healer, Savior, and Restorer of our souls. In His Name, we make these prayers and unite our spirits with Him, through the saying of His Holy words,   “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  Jesus spent His life on Earth fulfilling God’s purpose of salvation. He sacrificed Himself for us, so that we may be totally forgiven by God and eternally restored to His favor. Therefore, let us rejoice and be glad, for Christ our Savior has cleansed our sinful souls, both now and always. 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.

Anthem

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

Praise Song

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 Our hearts are devoted to You, O God; we will rejoice and exalt You with our praises. Our spirits are lifted up by Your love, so our prayers reflect our faith in You alone.

People:                 We will bless You, O LORD, among our people. We look to You for health and healing. Your grace sustains every day; Your faithfulness casts away our fears. Your goodness and glory are known throughout the Earth, therefore we pray for tenderness and mercy, for health and strength, and for peace and salvation.

Pastor:                 Strengthen us and help all our loved ones. Deliver us from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul. Hear us now, Precious Lord, as we silently pray.

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

Pastor:                 God speaks to our hearts in this holy place of prayer. His love and grace always endures. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.                 (Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 108)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, bring Christ's words to us and let them strengthen our souls. Share His teaching, compassion and grace among us so that we may enhance our faith by applying these scriptures to our daily deeds and everyday lives. In Jesus' Name, we humbly ask. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message and the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (in unison – led by pastor): Lord Jesus, You ask each of us to live responsible and faithful lives. You teach us many positive and life-affirming lessons. In gratitude, we gather our tithes and offerings, placing them before You, asking that You may bless them for Your continuing ministry in this church and throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we cheerfully give and thankfully pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction:      May Christ protect us from all that can harm our spirits; may the Father nourish our souls with His goodness and grace; and may the Holy Spirit keep us focused on glorifying and serving the One, Triune, and Living God. Forever and ever. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Easter 7 Sunday prayers - May 17

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Gathering

Call to Worship

Pastor:                  Almighty God, we come to worship You in this holy place of prayer and praise.
People:                 We thank You for calling us here, where we can freely worship and serve You.

Pastor:                  May our songs and praises, prayers and devotions be acceptable to You. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Everlasting God, we thank You for creating Life and sustaining our planet. We praise You for bringing us together as a community of faith and a church of Your Kingdom. Your ways are always fulfilled and Your works declare Your glory each day. We are blessed to be alive and to be here in Your Sacred Presence.

People:                 Merciful Lord, You know that we constantly struggle with temptation and often succumb to our self-centered desires. Instead of serving You, we serve ourselves. Instead of helping others, we mainly help ourselves. Save us from our sinful and selfish ways. We seek Your forgiveness and humbly ask for Your grace. Hear us now as we silently make our confessions to You.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                  Gracious God, without having Jesus as our Savior, we would be cast away from Your presence forever. Without His powerful sacrifice, we would have no opportunity to be forgiven, or ever be restored to Your everlasting kingdom. Thank You for sending Jesus to us, and for the constant gift of the Holy Spirit, 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, therefore we have humbly confessed our sins and sought His mercy. Let us rejoice and be glad, for Jesus is our Savior and we are all 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.

Kids Sermon

Encountering God

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 Let us come to the Lord and seek His blessings; let us dwell in His presence and abide in God’s love. May the Lord grant us health and healing, as well as strength and support. May the fruits of our prayers enhance our faith and increase our devotion to God.

People:                 May our loved ones and siblings, as well as our families and friends, receive help and power, energy and strength to overcome their illnesses or crises, their troubles or worries. O Lord, we seek peace for our souls, health for our hearts, and strength for our bodies, and wholeness for our minds.

Pastor:                  Gracious God, may we be granted Your healing mercies. May we experience Your Holy Spirit among us 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 ‘Sanctuary’.

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 through the reading, hearing, and applying of these sacred words. In Christ's Name, we ask.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

Sermon & the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor):       Lord Jesus, we have sang Your praises and received Your message this day. 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 Everlasting Name. Amen. 

Closing Hymn

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

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Prayers - Lent 1 - Feb 22

Approaching God

Welcome & Church Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Hymn:

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty and Everlasting God, we approach You with awe and reverence; we gather together in humility and service. Your Hands have formed our universe and Your Will sustains our lives. What are we that You are mindful of us? Who are we to receive Your compassion and care?

People:                 Gracious and Merciful Lord, nothing is hidden from Your gaze and no secrets can be kept from Your heart. We have frequently sinned and selfishly squandered our lives on greed, power, desire, and deceit. We have neglected our faith and spoken harsh words. We have by-passed people in need and put You to the back of our minds. We are guilty of many sins, so we seek Your grace and ask for mercy. Hear us now as we solemnly pray.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Loving Father, we are unworthy to receive Your love and yet You have given us Your Son Jesus. He died for our mistakes. He took the punishment due for our sins and sacrificed Himself for all the wrong things that we have ever said and done. Without Jesus as our Savior, we remain unforgiven. Without Christ’s obedience, we are unrestored. Hear us now as we unite our hearts with His, through Christ’s own words, saying “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” – (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Christ knows all of our secrets and everything that goes on in our minds, hearts, and lives. Only He can fully offer us salvation. Only He can restore us to the One, True, and Living God. When we honestly believe in Him and sincerely confess our sins, He is willing to forgive us and bring us back to God. So let us rejoice and be glad, for Jesus has pardoned our foolish ways and re-established our relationship with the LORD, both now and always. 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:                 Lord God, You have been our spiritual dwelling place and our physical healing source throughout all generations. Your existence sustains our lives and Your love strengthens our souls.

People:                 Have compassion upon us, O Lord, and heal all of our loved ones. Satisfy our prayers with Your unfailing love, so that we may praise and glorify You every day. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit

Pastor: May the favor of the LORD rest upon us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, open our hearts to Christ’s teaching, and enable us to spread His message among the people that we know and love, through applying these sacred words in our everyday lives. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

Message & the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor): Lord Jesus, we witness to Your ministry through all that we do. Today, we gather this offering as a true token of our faith and loving response to Your sacred words. Take these gifts and bless them for Your continuing work and ways among us. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Hymn

Benediction(unison):  May Christ strengthen us with faith, hope, and love; may the Father look down upon us with compassion and care; and may the Holy Spirit inspire and lead us into the presence of the One, Triune, and Living God, where we shall live forevermore. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Prayers: Baptism of Christ - Year B - January 11

Approaching God

Welcome & Church Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Herald:                 Show us Your ways, O LORD, and teach us Your paths.

People:                 Guide us by Your truth and lead us, for You are our God and Savior.

Herald:                 Our hope is in You all day long, therefore we will worship and glorify You forever. Amen.

Hymn:

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty Creator and Perfect God, we gather in Your House of peace to praise Your Greatness and honor Your Holiness. Your works and mighty acts have blessed our people for generations. Your ways and special words have inspired our spirits across the centuries.

People:                 Gracious Father, we are unworthy of Your blessings. You are righteous and we are sinful. You are upright and truthful; we are weak and deceitful. Our lives are imperfect because we allow pride, greed, and anger to tarnish our souls and influence our choices. Forgive us for being shallow and selfish, faithless and false, as well as hurtful and unholy. Hear us now as we confess our sins to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Loving Lord, we thank You for Jesus, Your Holy Son and our Eternal Savior, in whose Name we make our confessions and continue praying in His words, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  The Christian life is never easy because we are expected to have higher and holier standards than the rest of the world. When we fail to live up to Christ’s teaching, we absolutely need to seek His forgiveness. When we confess our faults and sincerely ask for pardon, Jesus immediately forgives us. So let us rejoice and be glad for we have been shown great mercy and are restored to God’s favor and love. In Christ’s Name. 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:                 Hear, O LORD, our personal prayers and answer us, for we are poor in spirit and need Your care.

People:                 Guard our lives and protect us from illness or injury, for we are dependent upon Your grace.

Pastor:                  Have mercy upon us, O Lord, for we implore You this day to sustain our health and healing. Hear our prayers, O LORD; listen to our cries for help. Heal us and each of our loved ones from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and spirit.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 In the day of our trouble we will call to You, O Living God, for we know that You will answer us. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.                    (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 86)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, encourage us through the living message of these sacred scriptures and open our hearts to receive God’s word. Astonish us with this teaching and enable us to take note of all that God fulfills in the life of Christ. In Jesus’ Name, we read and pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (in unison – led by pastor): Lord Jesus, You have freely given us faith, hope, and love, while knowing that we can never repay You for the sacred debts we owe. Through faith, we gather our offerings and tithes. With hope, we ask for Your blessing on these tokens. In love, we seek Your favor and pray for guidance to use these gifts for the preaching of the gospel, the sharing of the scriptures, and the praising of our God. In Your Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Hymn:

Benediction (unison):  May Christ help us to live faithful lives which are worthy of His Name; may the Father keep us free from selfish and sinful ways; and may the Holy Spirit grant us love and joy, both now and evermore. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Prayers for September 21 - Ordinary 25A - Proper 19A - Pentecost 15

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Herald:                 Let us praise the Lord with all of our hearts; let us be glad and rejoice in His Name.

People:                 O God, You are our stronghold in times of trouble, and You have never forsaken us.

Herald:                 Let us sing our praises to the Lord of lords and King of kings. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Hymn

               

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty Lord, whose holiness and perfection are beyond our comprehension, we humbly bow in Your Presence, seeking Your Salvation, and the comfort of Your Grace. You have given us life and we are blessed by Your love. You are the center of our lives and the focus of our faith.

People:                 Gracious Father, commune with 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 carelessly try to fall away from Your influence and presence, grasp hold of our souls and return us to Your Love. Forgive us and cleanse us of our sins; reclaim us and restore us through Your Son Jesus Christ, to whom we now 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, so that we may have the glorious opportunity of being restored to Your Holy Kingdom through His sacrificial death. In the Name of our Savior, we make these prayers and unite our hearts with 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 prospect of being forgiven of our sins, reconnected to His Spirit, and perfectly prepared for God’s Coming Kingdom. So let us rejoice and be glad, for Christ, our Messiah, reigns! 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 - (Parents and children come forward to the front of the church)

Encountering God

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                  The Earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. 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 of 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)

Singing of “Sanctuary”

Prayer of Illumination

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

Scripture Readings

The Message And Apostles Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (in unison – led by pastor):                  Lord Jesus, we follow Your Loving example by sacrificing these gifts from our resources, in order to humbly place 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 every day; 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 every day. Glory be to the One, Triune, and Living God, forevermore. Amen.