Sunday prayers: 4th Sunday in Advent - Advent 4 - December 20

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Gathering Song & Prelude

Call to Worship:Fourth in Advent: PEACE

Advent Guide:  Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Strength of God and the Sacred Shepherd of our souls.

All:      Your greatness is amongst us and Your power reaches out to the ends of the Earth.

(Lighting of Three Purple Candles & Pink Candle)

Advent Guide:              Lord Jesus, let us live securely in Your peace and be blessed forever by Your Holy Name. Amen.

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer

Guide: Eternal Lord of Life, we come before You as servants seeking Your favor, and as disciples devoted to Your Kingdom. Almighty God, we place our trust in You for You are our Rock and refuge, our shield and salvation, our gracious leader and loving guide.

People:  Heavenly Father, we have wandered from Your ways and rebelled against Your righteousness. We have chosen to embrace our pride and greed; we have decided to follow our fallen ideals and selfish sins.

Guide: Loving God, we have sometimes placed our confidence in our own strength and rejected Your truth. We have frequently allowed ourselves to be swayed by our culture and misdirected by our misconceptions. Forgive us for being false and foolish, unholy and unworthy. Hear us now as we personally confess our sins.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Merciful Lord, we regret our past mistakes and look to Jesus for our salvation. We turn away from our guilty sins and seek Christ to renew our lives. Help us to remain united with Him. In His Holy words, we now pray, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  Christ was sent by our Heavenly Father to save the world from sin. He sacrificed Himself so that we may be given the opportunity of being forgiven and restored to God’s favor and grace. Without Jesus, we have no hope of avoiding the wrath of God. With Christ, we are spiritually purified and eternally pardoned. We rejoice in His power and Holy Name, both now and forever. Amen.

Gloria Patri(unison-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: O Lord, in the midst of this sanctuary, our souls yearn for Your Favor, our hearts cry out for healing. Bless us, Living God, for having set our hearts on You and trusting You for strength.

People:                        Hear our prayers, O LORD God Almighty; listen to us, O God of Jacob. Look upon Your people, O God, gathered here in Your Name. Look upon us with mercy and compassion.

Pastor: For You, O LORD, fill us with hope and help us through each day. Do not withhold Your power from us and heal our loved ones from their sickness and pain, anxiety and depression, illnesses and injuries.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor: O LORD Almighty, blessed are those who trust in You. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 84)

Singing of Jesus, Draw Me Close

Prayer for Illumination:

Reader:             Holy Spirit, enable us to receive Christ into our hearts through the reading of these sacred scriptures. Heal us of the past and lead us by His presence in our lives. May we experience Christ being born in our spirits this day and forevermore. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory:

Dedication(unison): Lord Jesus, You are the Perfect One and our lives are transformed by Your mercy and grace. In return, we pledge to You our lives and dedicate our time, talents and tithes to You alone. Take these gifts and bless them for Your work in the world and Your ministry among us. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Hymn:

Benediction(unison):  May Christ enable us to love our neighbors each day; may the Father help us to support one another with mercy and grace; and may the Holy Spirit lead us to fulfill God’s law through being servants of His Kingdom and disciples of Christ, for now and always. Amen.

Doxology         Praise God, from whom all blessings flow & Postlude

Sunday Prayers: 3rd Sunday in Advent - Advent 3 - December 13

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Gathering Song & Prelude

Call to Worship: Third Sunday in Advent: JOY

Advent Guide: Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Everlasting Joy of God’s Heart and the Holy Savior of the nations.

All:      You come among us to release us from our burdens and take great delight in our eternal happiness.

(Lighting of Two Purple candles and the Pink Joy Candle)

Advent Guide:              Lord Jesus, quieten us with Your Precious Love and fill our spirits with heavenly joy. Amen.

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer

Guide: Almighty and Everlasting God, who sets the stars on their courses and sustains the entire universe, we praise and worship You from our hearts. We thank You for sharing Your wonders with us; we glorify You for granting us life, learning, and love.

People:  Loving Lord, we seek Your peace and yearn for the blessings of Your favor. We know that we are not worthy of Your devotion, for we are weak and sinful creatures, subject to fear and full of sin. We have neglected to help other people and have declined opportunities to witness to Your Word. Forgive us for being fearful and timid servants. Hear us now as we personally confess our failings.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Loving Lord, keep us steadfast in our faith and loyal to Your Holy Son Jesus. He alone has provided for our salvation. He alone has the authority to forgive our sins and restore us to Your Favor. In His Holy Name, we pray saying:  “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)”

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  By accepting Jesus into our lives, we are acquitted of our sins and accepted into God’s Kingdom. By being faithful to Christ alone, we are received into His Spirit and He remains within us at all times. Let us rejoice and be glad for we are a forgiven and favored people, 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 our God, do not keep Your distance or remain inactive when we pray to You for healing. In the midst of our troubles, calm our souls and strengthen our hearts, O God.

People:                        When things become chaotic and fearful in our lives, be our shield and firm foundation. When we face disease and discomfort, pain and sickness, be our Comforter, Healer, and Savior.

Pastor: When fear overcomes our families and despair attacks our friends, bring them assurance, peace and love. By Your Power, Lord, heal us and all loved ones from all that harms the body, mind, heart and spirit. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor: O LORD our God, You alone are the Most High over all the earth. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 83)

Singing of “Jesus, Draw Me Close.”

Prayer for Illumination:

Reader:            Holy Spirit, call us into account for all that we do today. Let these sacred scriptures fill our hearts and minds, so that we can apply the challenges and lessons Christ gives to us this very day. In the Name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message  & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory:

Dedication(unison): Lord Jesus, we freely give of our tithes and resources to enable us to fulfill the life, and work of our church. Empower us to do everything that You require of us in ministry and mission. Help us to prayerfully and cheerfully give of ourselves and our assets to You. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen. 

Hymn:

Benediction(unison):  May Christ help us to love one another; may the Father enable us to care for one another; and may the Holy Spirit equip us to support and bless one another; in the Name of the One, Triune and Living God forevermore. Amen.

Doxology         Praise God, from whom all blessings flow & Postlude

Sunday prayers: Second in Advent - Advent 2 - December 6

Approaching God

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Gathering Song & Prelude

Advent Call to Worship

Advent Guide:              Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Almighty Messenger, sent from heaven to proclaim God’s Gracious Love to the people of this planet. 

All:                  You have freely come among us to lovingly challenge our beliefs and change our ways.

(Lighting of Two Purple Advent Candles)

Advent Guide:              Lord Jesus, sanctify our people and make us acceptable to You. Reclaim and restore us to God’s Everlasting Love. Amen.

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer

Guide: Living Lord, whose sacred words inspire our lives and whose holy ways direct our paths, we gather before You as one people, seeking Your love and abiding in Your presence.

People: Everlasting God, whose deeds declare Your sovereignty and whose works are glorified throughout the universe, we acknowledge You as our Heavenly Father, and we serve You as our Eternal King.

Guide: God of mercy and grace, forgive us for falling into temptation and surrendering to sin. Forgive us for damaging our souls and injuring our faith. Pardon us for being snared by our selfish ways and captured by our careless commitment. Hear us now as we confess our faults to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Heavenly Father, we look to Your Son Jesus Christ to cleanse us of the past and remove the punishment due for our sins. We make our pleas in the Name of Jesus, our Savior, in whose words, we further pray, saying, Our Father...THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  Jesus knows God completely, perfectly, and infinitely. He has been sent to earth to restore us to God's grace and favor. When we truly confess our sins to Him, we are totally forgiven. So let us rejoice, and be of good cheer, for Christ has sacrificially given His life, so that we may be re-accepted and welcomed by God. 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:             Do good to your servants according to Your healing words, O Lord. Teach us knowledge and good judgment, for we believe all Your commands.

People:                        Where we have wandered from Your ways, O Lord, lovingly set us in the right direction, for You are good, and all that You do is good. Grant us healing and health, protection and peace.

Pastor:             When pride prevents us from praying or fear disables our faith, be near to us and teach us to depend upon Your love. May we delight in Your deeds by being delivered from all that harms us and our loved ones, in body, mind, heart, and soul. Hear us now as we silently pray.

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

Pastor:             The promises of the Lord are more precious to us than the entire wealth of the whole world. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

Minute for Mission: Campaign Closure

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw me Close.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:             Holy Spirit, enable us to humbly accept the authority of God's Word. Keep us from diminishing the power of these holy passages over our lives. Help us to apply Christ's teaching in all that we say and do each day. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication(unison):   Lord Jesus, the word of God has penetrated our hearts and minds, so that we are challenged by Your ways and inspired by Your love. In return, we want to thankfully bring to You our tithes and gifts for the continuing mission of this church, the holy ministry of God's Kingdom, and the evangelization of this community. In Your Sacred Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Communion

Closing Hymn:

Benediction(unison):             May we all minister to one another in Christ's Holy Name; may we continue to proclaim the gospel of the Father with our daily lives; and may the Holy Spirit continue to inspire us to offer our devotion and faithfully serve the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

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

Sunday prayers: First in Advent - Advent 1 - Nov 29

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Gathering Song & Prelude

Call to Worship

Advent Guide:              Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Hope Bringer of the Universe, whose gracious promises strengthen our faith and brighten the spirits of our people.

All:                  You bring justice and righteousness to the Earth. You save the world from sin and free us from our fears.

(Lighting of First Purple Advent Candle)

Advent Guide:              Lord Jesus, Your Everlasting Light restores our eternal hopes. You are our Righteousness and Redeemer forever. Amen.

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer

Guide: Immortal and Almighty Lord, Most Powerful and Everlasting Majesty, we sing of Your greatness and praise Your magnificent ways. Your strength is undiminished and Your words are always fulfilled.

People:  Lord of Salvation and Grace, we adore Your Holy Presence and devote ourselves to Your Sacred Kingdom. We are sometimes sinful and selfish people. We follow our own stubborn ways and damage our faith with pride, greed, and neglect.

Guide: Merciful Majesty, come into our hearts and help us to seek forgiveness so that we may find salvation in Christ alone. Hear us now as we humbly pray.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Loving Father, without Jesus we would have no hope of being forgiven. Without His sacrifice, we would have no salvation. We thank You for this opportunity to sincerely confess our sins, to declare our guilt, and be completely pardoned by Your grace and favor. In Christ’s holy words, we unite our hearts together, saying, “Our Father...” THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  When we come to the Lord and feed upon His words, He releases us from the wrath of God. When we ask Jesus to cleanse us by His blood, He restores us to God’s holiness. So let us truly rejoice and give thanks, for Christ is our Savior and we are completely forgiven, from this day forth 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: Let us declare our joy to God, who is our strength; let us proclaim His great and mighty works! Gracious Lord, remove our burdens from us; release us from our deepest worries and concerns.

People:                        In the midst of our sickness and illnesses, at the time when we are weak and helpless, we look to You, O Living God to answer our prayers. Give us patience to wait for Your healing; grant us mercy for all of our requests.

Pastor: Subdue our fears and heal us of all that harms us in body, mind, heart and spirit.

Let all our loved ones be graciously touched by Your healing Hands. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor: The Lord will feed us with hope and strength. By His goodness and grace, we shall experience healing, hope, and salvation. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Singing of “Jesus, Draw Me Close.”

Prayer for Illumination:

Reader:             Holy Spirit, bring us into Christ’s Presence and let Him answer all our questions about life. Show us how powerful God’s love is and enable us to apply these lessons of faith in our daily lives.  In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

Sermon

Serving God

Offering & Offertory:

Dedication(unison): Lord Jesus, there have been many times when this church has become a sanctuary to us and we have been protected and supported by the love of Your people. We trust You to work among us each week and we hops that we serve You faithfully, diligently and sincerely. Take our tithes and offerings and bless them for the life, work and ministry of this church, to this congregation and to the wider community. In Your Name, we give and pray, both now and forever. Amen. 

Hymn:

Benediction(unison):  May we give thanks to Christ each day for all that we personally owe Him; may we respect and revere God’s work throughout today’s world; and may we honor the guidance and counsel, the power and direction of the Holy Spirit, in this life and the one to come, to the glory of the One, Triune and Living God,  both now and always. Amen.

Doxology         Praise God, from whom all blessings flow & Postlude

2009 Advent Prayers: Call to Worship & Advent Themes

November 29, 2009 - First Sunday of Advent  (purple candle, theme is Hope)
• December 6, 2009 - Second Sunday of Advent  (purple candle, theme is Love)
• December 13, 2009 - Third Sunday of Advent  (purple or pink candle, theme is Joy)
• December 20, 2009 - Fourth Sunday of Advent (purple candle, theme is Peace)

First in Advent: HOPE

Advent Guide:              Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Hope Bringer of the Universe, whose gracious promises strengthen our faith and brighten the spirits of our people.

All:                  You bring justice and righteousness to the Earth. You save the world from sin and free us from our fears.

(Lighting of First Purple Advent Candle)

Advent Guide:              Lord Jesus, Your Everlasting Light restores our eternal hopes. You are our Righteousness and Redeemer forever. Amen.

Second in Advent: LOVE

Advent Guide:              Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Almighty Messenger, sent from heaven to proclaim God’s Gracious Love to the people of this planet.

All:                  You have freely come among us to lovingly challenge our beliefs and change our ways.

(Lighting of Two Purple Advent Candles)

Advent Guide:              Lord Jesus, sanctify our people and make us acceptable to You. Reclaim and restore us to God’s Everlasting Love. Amen.

Third in Advent: JOY

Advent Guide: Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Everlasting Joy of God’s Heart and the Holy Savior of the nations.

All:      You come among us to release us from our burdens and take great delight in our eternal happiness.

(Lighting of Two Purple candles and the Pink Joy Candle)

Advent Guide:              Lord Jesus, quieten us with Your Precious Love and fill our spirits with heavenly joy. Amen.

Fourth in Advent: PEACE

Advent Guide:  Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Strength of God and the Sacred Shepherd of our souls.

All:      Your greatness is amongst us and Your power reaches out to the ends of the Earth.

(Lighting of Three Purple Candles & Pink Candle)

Advent Guide:              Lord Jesus, let us live securely in Your peace and be blessed forever by Your Holy Name. Amen.