Sunday prayers - Jan 08

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Call to Worship

Pastor:                 Let us approach the Lord with all of our hearts; let us think about His marvelous ways.

People:                 We will praise our God for granting us love and mercy; we will worship Him for being our Creator.

Pastor:                  Let us gladly delight in the Lord's deeds. Let us glorify His sacred Name forever. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty Creator, we come to Your sacred house to praise You with our words and to pray to You from our hearts. We hope to devote our lives to Your work on Earth and pledge our faith in Your Son, Jesus Christ.

People:                Gracious God, we know that we are imperfect and often make mistakes. We are sorry for neglecting Your teaching and setting aside Your ways. We sometimes make faithless choices and allow our pride to damage our Christian witness. Forgive us for being foolish and arrogant, as well as self-centered and sinful. Hear us now as we make our personal confessions to You.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                 Loving Lord, You have sent Jesus to restore our lives and redeem our souls forever. His grace grants us complete forgiveness. His mercy allows us to regain our hope. Therefore, we rejoice in Jesus our Savior and unite our hearts with Him. In His Words, we continue to pray saying, “Our Father...THE LORD'S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  Jesus comes to us from God and redeems us to be with Him. He humbled Himself to become human, endured the pain of the Cross when He sacrificed His life for our sins. He is our One True Lord and Savior, for through Him we are cleansed of all our past mistakes and restored to God's delight, 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)

Choir Anthem

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                  Loving Lord, we bring our personal prayers to You, and embrace You as the Helper and Healer of all. When we are weary or broken in spirit, grant us comfort and peace. When we are fearful or anxious, bring solace to our hearts and calmness to our minds.

People:                 Gracious God, relieve us from any pain and carry us through our problems. Restore us to health and grant us wholeness. Encourage us to pray for all our loved ones, so they may also have faith in Your strength and depend upon Your power. Hear us now as we quietly pray.

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

Pastor:                  May the Lord shield us from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul. May God gladly receive our prayers, given in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Singing of “Sanctuary.”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, feed us with Christ's words and nourish our souls with His sacred teaching. Influence our lives with His ways and encourage us to share His Good News with all whom we love and know. In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by the pastor):               Lord Jesus, Your Resurrection gave our world a new and everlasting hope. We have become the heirs to this amazing blessing, so we praise You for the precious gift of eternal life. In thankfulness, we bring our tithes and offerings, asking that You will receive and bless them for the continuing ministry of Your Gospel and the glorious mission of Your Church. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn

Benediction (unison):    May Christ continue to love and cherish us each day; may the Father grant us His peace and mercy; and may the Holy Spirit keep us thankful for the grace we experience, so that we may faithfully serve the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and always. Amen.        

Doxology & 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

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

Easter 4 Sunday Prayers - April 26th

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Call to Worship

Pastor:                  We come here to offer God our worship, our devotion, and our lives.   

People:                 Let the light of Your Face shine upon us, O Lord.

Pastor:                  May we be blessed by God’s presence and Christ’s Spirit throughout this sacred time. Amen.

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Everlasting Father, whose deeds throughout the generations have sustained our people and whose ways across the centuries have enhanced our faith, we worship You this day and adore You forever. Your purposes are never upset and Your plans are always fulfilled, therefore we look to You for favor and blessing, as well as mercy and grace.

People:                 Immortal Lord, we know that we are weak and human, that our bodies are frail and our minds are constantly distracted. Forgive us when we allow our wants and desires to overcome our souls, causing damage to our spirits. Deliver us from deceitful and dishonorable deeds; pardon us for making poor choices and disregarding Your influence over our lives.  Hear us now as we silently confess our sins.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Almighty God, refresh us with Your loving kindness and restore us to Your Holy Son. May Christ claim authority over our lives, with the cleansing our souls and the renewing our faith in You. We make these requests in Jesus' Name and with His own holy words, we continue to pray, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER.” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Our Lord Jesus placed Himself in harm's way and died upon a lonely Cross, so that we can be forgiven and restored to God's love. We deserve God's punishment for our disobedience and defiance, yet Christ shields us from God's wrath and brings us back into His Holy Presence and Everlasting Favor. Therefore, let us rejoice and glorify our Savior 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)

Time for Stewardship

Encountering God

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 Let us approach the Lord with praise and thanksgiving, for He has done marvelous things. The Lord has made His salvation known to us and revealed His righteousness to all our people.  May God remember His love for us as we present our petitions; may His faithfulness grant us courage and hope.

People:                 O Lord, listen to our prayers and have compassion for our lives. Heal our sicknesses and re-strengthen our health by Your gracious love. Be near to us and all our loved ones. Heal us from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and spirit. Hear us now as we quietly pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 Let our hearts confidently resound in faith; let our hopes be realized through God's favor and blessing. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.            (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 98)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, may Christ speak to us through the words of the Gospel. May all that You inspired to be written about Jesus become holy and sacred, as well as meaningful and mighty in each of our lives today. In Jesus' Name, we ask. Amen

Scripture Readings

The Message and the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor):       Lord Jesus, may we excel in faithfulness, as we give these gifts to build up the church. May we eagerly serve You with our time, talents, and treasures, as we contribute our resources, lives, and money to You this day. Bless this offering and guide us to use it wisely for the life, work, and ministry of Your Kingdom here on Earth. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Hymn

Benediction (unison):    May Christ write His ways across our hearts; may the Father teach us to worship Him reverently; and may the Holy Spirit empower us to continually confess our faith in the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Prayers - Ordinary 6B - Feb 15

Approaching God

Welcome and announcements

Prelude

Gathering

Call to Worship

Herald:                 We have come into God’s Holy House to worship and adore Him.

People:                 We cheerfully lift up our hearts and voices to the Lord our God.

Herald:                 Let us praise His sacred Name and give thanks for His eternal blessings. Amen. 

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Everlasting God, we respectfully come to You, seeking comfort and hope, as well as encouragement and renewal. We learn the ways of righteousness from You alone. Through Your sacred words and almighty works, we acknowledge and cherish Your divine authority over our lives.

People:                 Gracious Father, we confess that we have been sinful again this week. We personally know that we have allowed desire and deceit, as well as pride and prejudice, to tarnish our faith and damage our relationship with You. Forgive our foolish and selfish ways, as well as our failures and grave mistakes. Pardon our vanity and redeem us from our faithless ways and churlish words. Hear us now as we silently admit our sins to You.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Loving God, please restore us to Your Kingdom through the blood of our Savior Jesus Christ. Grant us Your favor and mercy through His obedience and sacrifice. For we make these confessional prayers in Christ’s Name, and through His own words, we cling to You saying  “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Christ grants us forgiveness through the giving of His own life. Christ claims mercy for us by making Himself our worthy and perfect sacrifice. He speaks to our spirits and we are promised eternal life. Let us praise and adore Him, for Christ is our Loving Lord and our Almighty 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.

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

Encountering God

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 Let us meditate upon the LORD’s perfect and everlasting love. Let us prayerfully proclaim His faithfulness to every generation by declaring that His Word endures forever and that we will keep faith in all He accomplishes.

People:                 The LORD has made a covenant with us, promising to help us in times of trouble and distress. When we are weak, He will become our strength. When we have doubts, He will become our assurance. May He heal us and all our loved ones with His mighty power.  In all of creation, there is no other source of sustenance, health, holiness or salvation. May the Lord hear us now as we inwardly pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 The LORD is awesome and mighty, above and beyond all that we can ever know. We are all safe in His hands and embraced in His arms. In Jesus’ Name, we faithfully pray. Amen.

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 89)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, show us how to increase our faith through the events described in these sacred words. Enable us to apply Christ’s teaching from these passages in our daily lives. In Jesus’ Name, we ask. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor): Lord Jesus, take these tithes and gifts, and bless them for Your holy work. May they be used to strengthen the weak, encourage the fearful, and comfort the lost. May we simultaneously dedicate our lives to the service of Your Kingdom in this world and the next. By the power of Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Hymn

Benediction (unison):  May Christ nourish our souls with His love and grace; may the Father strengthen and protect us each day; and may the Holy Spirit enhance our faith so that we may truly serve the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude