Sunday Prayers - January 01

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Call to Worship

Pastor:                 This is the Day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

People:                 We will praise the Lord with all of our hearts; we will humbly serve Him with our lives.

Pastor:                  The Lord will always be with us; He will lead us throughout our days and years on Earth. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty God, we gather together in Your Holy house to celebrate the beginning of a New Year. We thank You for sustaining our lives and granting us the constant blessings of Your love, mercy, and grace. Be near to us each day and enable us to serve You faithfully throughout this year.

People:                Gracious Father, we are sometimes fearful of the future and worry about things that have yet to occur. When our faith is weak or challenged, be our strength and guide. Forgive us when we falter and help us when we stumble. Pardon our foolish notions and forgive our selfish ways. Hear us now as we inwardly confess our sins to You.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                  Loving Lord, even though we are unworthy, You have allowed Your Son to forgive our sins, restart our lives, and restore us to Your favor. We are thankful for His sacrifice and will be eternally grateful for Your love. In Christ’s Name, we make these confessions and continue to pray in His words saying, “Our Father...THE LORD'S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Jesus invites us to come to Him, to receive the blessings of grace, so we can be reclaimed for the kingdom of God. By His invitation, we can be with Him eternally. Through His everlasting mercy, we can come into the holy presence of God. So let us gladly rejoice and be truly thankful that Christ is our Lord and immortal King. 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)

Choir Anthem

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 Heavenly Father, You know the burdens we carry in our hearts and the worries that trouble our minds. We pray for Your peace to settle our spirits and calm our souls. We pray for strength and healing to overcome the brokenness in our lives. We ask for mercy and grace to allow us the opportunity to begin again.

People:                 Gracious God, we also pray for our families and friends. You know that some of them are troubled or ill, in need of guidance and longing for help. Bless them with Your power and love. Permit them renewal and restoration, healing and strength. Hear us now as we silently pray in our hearts for Your help.

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

Pastor:                  We will confidently praise the Lord and proclaim all the great things He has done in each of our lives. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

Singing of “Sanctuary.”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, may these sacred words penetrate our hearts and minds. May we receive the goodness and guidance that God’s Word offers to us on this holy day. In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by the pastor):               Lord Jesus, we gladly bring our tithes and offerings to You. We pray that You will bless them for the continuing work of this church, the sharing of Your Gospel, and the proclaiming of God’s Kingdom through our ministries and missions, programs and projects. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Communion

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ's hope fill each day of our lives; may the Father continue to share His blessings amongst us; and may the Holy Spirit increase our faith in the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday January 03 prayers - Christmas 2C

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Call to Worship

Pastor:                  The Lord our God has said, “Behold I make all things new!”

People:                 We pledge our hearts to Him and devote our lives to God’s Kingdom.

Pastor:                  May we glorify the Lord with our thoughts, words, and deeds. In Christ’s Name. Amen!

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Everlasting God, to whom this world owes its existence and through whom the whole universe is sustained, we seek to serve You with our worship and hope to please You with our praises. We humbly approach You as Your people, opening our hearts to Your gracious love and focusing our minds upon Your holy presence.

People:                 Merciful Father, we know our own weaknesses and our habitual mistakes. We acknowledge our faithless ways and inconsistent devotion. We have trampled on the feelings of others with thoughtless words, harmful deeds, and selfish choices. Forgive us now as we humbly and sincerely confess our grievous faults to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Almighty God, we know that only Jesus can pardon our sins and grant the forgiveness that we continually need. Only Your Precious Son can restore us to Your Favor and reclaim our souls for Your Kingdom. In His Holy Name, we bring our confessions and make these prayers, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Christ speaks to us individually through His teaching of God’s Holy Word. He calls us to repentance and seeks to save our souls by sacrificing Himself. When we honestly confess our sins and sincerely depend upon Him to rescue us, we will be completely forgiven and eternally reconciled to God. In Christ’s Name, we gratefully pray. 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)

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 O Loving Lord, may Your favor be graciously shown to Your people by restoring our health through Your holy power. Forgive our faithless fears and diminish our doubts. Please strengthen our bodies and bring peace to our minds.

People:                 Gracious God, restore us to Your mercy and let Your holiness abide within our hearts. Please allow Your unfailing love to be experienced by our families and friends. Grant them deliverance from illness, depression, or pain. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 May the LORD indeed give what is good, so that our lives will experience healing and strength. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.    (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 85)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, help us to accept the fact that salvation is found in no one else but Jesus, for there is no other being under heaven given to us by God, through whom we can be saved. May today’s scriptures enhance our spiritual awareness and plant this precious teaching in our hearts. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

Sermon

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor): Lord Jesus, we do not fully understand all that happens in this world but we know that Your Spirit continues to inspire many people to do good, help the poor, and support the weak. May our gifts be blessed and used to advance Your ministry, life, and work throughout this church, our community, and across the world. In Your Sacred Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Communion

Hymn

Benediction (unison):  May Christ’s light brighten our hearts each day; may the Father’s love inspire and encourage us to bless our loved ones; and may the Holy Spirit guide and help us to become effective servants of the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and evermore. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Prayers - Advent 2 - Dec 6

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Advent 2 Call to Worship

Advent 2 Reader:             “Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.””

All:    In the beginning was the Word—spoken and breathed, a promise made and kept. God’s promise is true! The Word was in the beginning, and through Him all things come into being.

Advent 2 Reader:     Eternal and near at hand, already and not-yet, God’s promise is the foundation of all life. Speak out, giving voice to God’s peace that passes all understanding.

~2 Purple Advent candles are lit~

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Eternal God, whose power is absolute and abounds throughout the universe, we gather before You in this peaceful place of praise and prayer. We have set apart this time in our lives to worship and adore You. We have responded to Your call and continue to bless Your Holy Name.
People:                 Precious Father, we confess all of our sins to You. For years, we have stored up bitterness in our hearts and allowed pride to damage our souls. We have hurt other people with our spite and disappointed You with our misdeeds. We have sinfully fulfilled our selfish desires by casting aside Your sacred commandments. Forgive us, Gracious God, for we repent of our ugly ways and tarnished faith. Hear us now as we personally seek forgiveness from You.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Merciful Lord, You permit us to call upon Your Son Jesus for help, healing, and wholeness. He alone grants us forgiveness and salvation through His sacrificial death on the Cross. In Christ, we are pardoned and forgiven, reconnected to Your Kingdom and restored to Your everlasting favor. In Christ’s own precious words, we continue to pray, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide: Jesus is the King of Creation and the Lord of our lives. We did not give this honor to Him. God bestowed upon Jesus all authority on Earth and in Heaven to forgive our sins, to restore us to God’s blessing, and to be welcomed into His Eternal Kingdom. So let us rejoice and be truly thankful, for Jesus is our One, True, and Only Savior, 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

Children’s Sermon

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing
Pastor:                 Your healing love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your strength is like the mighty mountains, and Your justice like the great deep. We humbly pray that You will preserve our lives and our loved ones. Your unfailing love and mercy is precious to us. May our families and friends find refuge in Your presence and the healing of all that harms them.
People:                May we regain our health and strength from the abundance of Your power; may You grant us our petitions and delight us with Your grace. For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light; through Your peace, we are released from pain; by Your love we are set free from our fears. Hear us now as we pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others.

Pastor:                 Living and Gracious Lord, continue sending Your love to those who need You, and allow Your healing to be granted to those most cherished in our hearts. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.
(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 36)


Prayer for Illumination
Reader :               Holy Spirit, challenge and change us through the truths that these sacred scriptures reveal. Move our hearts and show us how to fulfill Christ’s message in our daily lives. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor):       Lord Jesus, You know us completely and perfectly understand everything about our lives. We often fail to fulfill our service and devotion to You, and yet You still allow us to receive the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation. With humble and sincere thanks, we offer You our time, talents, and money. Take these tokens of our gratitude and bless them for the continuing life, work, and ministry of Your Church in this community, across this nation, and throughout the world. In Your Precious Name, we pray. Amen.

Communion

Hymn

Benediction (unison):    May Christ protect us from our sinful nature and keep us on His Holy path; may the Father continually cultivate our faith through His Love and Grace; and may the Holy Spirit enable us to go out into the world to effectively witness to God’s kingdom, glory, and power. Both now and forever. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Pentecost Sunday Prayers - May 24

(You can also find some of my bulletin cover art for Pentecost at this link: Pentecost Art.)

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering

Call to Worship

Pastor:                  Let us come before the Lord with cheerful hearts and voices filled with praise.

People:                 We will worship God freely and openly, as well as humbly and faithfully.

Pastor:                  May our songs of faith and devotional prayers be acceptable to You, O Living Lord. Amen.

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Everlasting Majesty and Lord of all Creation, we come here to praise Your Holy Name. We lift up our hearts to cheerfully rejoice in Your sacred presence. Throughout the Earth, billions of people are blessing and glorifying Your presence in their lives. Today, we gladly join them in the worship of Your ways and the praising of Your deeds.

People:                 Gracious Father, we know that our lives are imperfect and that we make disappointing mistakes. We confess to being selfish, proud, and faithless; stubborn, greedy, and insensitive; as well as angry, bitter, and spiteful.

Guide:                  Heavenly Lord, forgive us when temptation troubles our souls and sin separates us from You. Pardon us for neglecting our responsibilities, as well as carelessly casting aside our faith. To You alone, we bring our personal confessions and seek Your mercy through Your Holy Son, Jesus Christ. Hear us now as we silently pray.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Loving God, without Christ’s sacrifice, we would have no one to restore us to Your favor. We would still be subject to Your wrath, with no hope of entering Your everlasting Kingdom. Humbly and thankfully, we make our confessional prayers in the Name of Jesus, our Only Savior and True Lord. In His precious words, we unite our hearts, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors).”

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Jesus, through the amazing love of His Father, gives us the key to Heaven. By Christ’s wounded body, our broken ways are healed; through His perfect obedience, we are reclaimed by God. So let us cheerfully rejoice, for our sins are completely forgiven, 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

Encountering God

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 Be merciful to us, O God, for in You our souls take refuge. We cry out to You, O God Most High, for You both create and fulfill the purposes of our lives. Release us from our fears through the power of Your faithful love. In the midst of our anxieties and troubles, grant us peace. From the discomfort of our illnesses and the suffering we endure, heal us, O Lord.

People:                 Let Your goodness and grace be experienced in our lives and those of all our loved ones as we seek healing from all that damages us in body, mind, heart, and spirit. Deliver us and all whom we pray for this day from distress, disease, depression, or despair. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 Great is Your love, O Lord, reaching from the farthest heavens into the very core of our lives. In Jesus’ Name, we thankfully pray. Amen.              (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 57)

A Time to Remember & Silence

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, may we embrace these Scriptures and be led into Your beautiful presence. May we be filled with wonder and thanksgiving by all that Christ has done. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message and the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor):       Lord Jesus, we all have special gifts and talents, just as we all have different resources and treasures. When we combine them by gathering them before You, we glorify Your work and continue to proclaim Your Name. Take all that we offer this day, along with our lives, and bless them for the life, work, and ministry of this church, which You have called us to support and advance in Your Holy Name. Amen.

Hymn

Benediction (unison):    May Christ keep us united to His body so that we may accomplish great things together in His Name; may the Father sustain us as members of Christ’s church, so that we may honor His Kingdom; and may the Holy Spirit grant us a new vision, so that we may proclaim the purposes of God for this church and community, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Easter 6 - Sunday Worship prayers - May 10

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering

Call to Worship

Pastor:                  We have gathered in this holy house, so let us praise God’s Sacred Name.

People:                 We are blessed to be called God’s people and are pleased to be God’s children.

Pastor:                  Let us humbly worship together and proclaim God’s greatness forevermore. 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 that we call Earth, we approach You with our prayers and praises, asking that You will hear our petitions and be pleased with our songs of salvation.

People:                 Loving Lord, Your power is displayed throughout this planet, for Your presence can never be diminished nor ignored. We give You thanks for being mindful of our needs, our concerns, as well as our cares. We confess that we are guilty of wrongdoing and have omitted to do what is right. We have nursed our wrath and spoken unkind words. We have disappointed our loved ones and broken our promises to them.

Guide:                  Gracious God, forgive our selfish ways by granting us Your pardon. We regret the mistakes we have made, the disappointments we have caused, the duties we have neglected, and the opportunities we have wasted. Help us to rediscover Your goodness in our lives by humbly yielding our hearts to Your Son Jesus Christ, our Savior. Hear us now as we confess our sins to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Merciful Lord, thank You for hearing our prayers of confession. Thank You for bringing Jesus into our lives, whose sacrifice has canceled all our sins and created clean hearts, new lives, and faithful spirits within us all. Hear us now as we pray Christ’s own words saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER.” (Debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Jesus is the Source of Life for our souls, which strengthens our spirits. He alone has the power and authority to forgive our sins, so we may be restored to God’s favor and grace. Therefore, 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

Encountering God

Stewardship Minute for Mission

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 Be merciful to us, O God, for our worries constantly burden us.  Each week, we have different pressures, so when we are anxious, help us to trust in You. Diminish our fears and grant us peace of mind. We place our lives, our loved ones, our prayers and concerns into Your healing hands.

People:                 As we pledge ourselves to Your Kingdom, we humbly ask that You will heal us, and all whom we pray for, from all that harms us in body, mind, soul, and spirit. Deliver us from despair and keep us from being fearful or frustrated. 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 life and God’s love. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.               

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

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, may we walk with Christ as we read and hear these sacred scriptures. May we be drawn nearer to Him, so that we may praise and glorify His wonderful ministry on Earth. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor):       Lord Jesus, we all belong to Your body of believers and so we are each called to honor and bless Your continuing work in the world. Take our gifts and set them apart for the life, ministry, and mission of this congregation, as well as Your Church here on Earth. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Hymn

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

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Prayers - lent 4 - March 15

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering

Call to Worship

Herald:                 This is the day that the Lord has made.

People:                 We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Herald:                 Let us worship and glorify God! Amen.

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Lord of our lives and Creator of all that exists, we proclaim You as our One, Triune, and Holy God. At this sacred time and in this holy place, we seek to serve You as Your called and chosen people.

People:                 Gracious Father, we want to please You and faithfully follow Your Son’s ways. However, we confess that we sinfully let our pride and anger hurt other people. We selfishly strive to have our own way, or to fulfill our selfish desires. Forgive us for rejecting Your words and damaging our faith by our unloving, unholy, and un-Christian actions. Hear us now as we humbly admit our sins to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Merciful God, You have the power to judge and punish us for our sins. Instead, You graciously gave us Your Son Jesus to die for our failures, faults, and fallen ways. By His wounds, we are healed. By His sacrifice, we are forgiven and restored, therefore we gratefully unite our hearts with Him, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                   Jesus saves us from being eternally separated from God. He wants us to choose life over death, faith over fear, and obedience over defiance. When we sincerely come to Him for forgiveness, He grants us mercy and grace. So let us rejoice and be glad, for Jesus our Savior rescues our souls and redeems us 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:                  The LORD reigns; He is robed in majesty and is armed with strength. God establishes our world and sustains our lives. We, in contract, are finite and frail, in need of help, healing and wholeness. Therefore let us lift up our voices of prayer to God, from our anxious hearts and troubled minds.

People:                 Loving God, have mercy upon us and heal us of all that harms us in body, mind, heart and spirit. We also bring to You our families and friends, as well as our colleagues and neighbors who need Your Loving touch and holy healing. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 The LORD is merciful and holy, as well as just and faithful. He hears our prayers, given in Jesus’ Name, Amen.                    (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 93)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, help us to see what Christ is doing among us. Enable us to hear His words from these sacred passages. Teach us His ways, so that we may tell others of His ministry, mission, and kingdom. In Jesus’ Name, we ask. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor):       Lord Jesus, we have worshipped You in song and praised You with our music. We have gathered our tithes and offerings in order to place them before Your throne. Take these tokens and bless them, so that we may bring life to Your words by ministering to our congregation, across our community, and throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Hymn

Benediction (unison):  May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace as we trust in His Son Jesus Christ, so that we may overflow with the loving power of the Holy Spirit. In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; One 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 - Ordinary 3B - January 25

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Gathering

Call to worship

Pastor:                 Let us trust in the LORD without wavering;

People:                 For His love is ever before us and we walk in His truth.

Pastor:                  In this holy assembly of God’s people, let us rejoice and praise the LORD! Amen.

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty Lord and Sacred Creator, we delight in Your ways and freely give ourselves to Your Kingdom. In this holy place of purpose and prayer, we wait for You; at this precious time of peace and praise, we seek Your blessing.

People:                 Eternal Father, Your Name is renowned throughout the universe and Your power is revered across this planet, and yet we still foolishly sin, and selfishly err. Forgive our corrupt and careless ways; pardon our mistakes and misdeeds; have mercy upon us when we fall into temptation and succumb to evil. Hear us now as we silently confess our faults to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Immortal God, let Jesus become the desire of our hearts so that our choices and decisions may honor Him. Without His grace, we are godless; without His sacrifice, our lives are squandered. We thank You for sending Jesus into our world, therefore we unite ourselves as one family of faith in prayer, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor, Merciful Healer, and Prince of our Peace. He restores us to God’s favor and we are made ready for His continuing ministry and mission. Let us rejoice and be glad, for on this day and at this time, all our sins are forgiven and we are reunited to God, 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.

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

Encountering God

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 O Lord, You are the foundation of our lives, so we pray to You for love and favor. Enter our hearts and minds; come into our spirits and souls; heal us of all that harms us.

People:                 We have heard glorious things spoken of You, Holy God. Grant us Your goodness and grace. Let Your healing ways overcome their weakness; let Your perfect peace vanquish their pain. Hear us now as we personally and sincerely pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 We will rejoice in the greatness of the Lord; may His blessings restore our hopes and refresh our weary souls. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.                    (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 87)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, enable us to see the work of God in our lives. Through these sacred scriptures, open our hearts and minds to Christ’s teaching. Challenge us by the things He says; change us through the things that Jesus does.  In His Holy Name, we read and pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message and the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor):       Lord Jesus, we have followed Your way of love and we eagerly await Your blessing. You have showered us with spiritual gifts and helped us to find meaning, purpose, and hope in our lives. Take these gifts and bless them for the continuing work of Your ministry in this church, throughout this community, and across our country, as well as in the wider world. In Your Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Hymn

Benediction (unison):    May Christ clothe us with His compassion and love; may the Father free us from temptation and despair; and may the Holy Spirit keep us focused on the wisdom, words, and ways of the One, Triune & Living God, now and forevermore. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Prayers Oct 12 - ordinary 28A, proper 23, Pentecost 18

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to worship

Herald:                 Let us trust in God’s unfailing love.

People:                 Our hearts rejoice in His salvation.

Leader:                                 Let us sing to the LORD, for He has been good to us. Let us worship and glorify His Name! Amen.

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty Lord, Maker of Mystery and Sustainer of Life, we come before You as servants seeking Your wisdom and as children cherishing Your love. We yield to Your authority and yearn for Your holiness; we freely submit to Your will and faithfully surrender to Your Word.

People:                 Everlasting God, You have the power to shape the patterns of our lives and influence our choices. You have the right to scrutinize our life styles and to reject our selfish ways. We know that we have sinned against Your Sovereignty and rebelled against Your rules. We have covered our sins with pride and contaminated our souls with deceit. We are guilty of greed and full of faithless ways. Hear us now as we personally confess to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Loving Father, without Jesus we would not know the joy of salvation. Without Christ’s sacrifice, we would not have any future or everlasting hope. We acknowledge that we are sinners and that only He is the Divine 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 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 all our sinful and selfish ways, 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.

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

Encountering God

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 We give thanks to You, O God, for You are ever present and we glorify Your wonderful deeds. We pray that this sacred moment will become an appointed time of holiness and healing.

People:                 When we experience fear and confusion, or anxiety and worry, You steady our hearts and bring peace to our minds. Wherever we are, You are with us. Whatever we face, You support us.

Pastor:                 Heavenly Father, examine our hearts and minds, as well as our bodies and souls; heal us of all that harms us. Pour out the blessing of Your healing power upon us and all our loved ones. Restore us to health and strengthen 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, we pray. Amen.    (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 75)

Unison singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

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

Scripture Readings

The Message and the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory:

Dedication (in unison – led by pastor): Lord Jesus, we freely and confidently give our tithes and offerings to You, asking that You will lovingly bless these gifts by allowing our church to use them to finance, aid, and support the many ministries and missions that You want us to advance and accomplish through the faith, lives, 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, and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude