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 - 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

Sunday prayers for September 7 - Ordinary 23A, Proper 18A, Pentecost 13

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Liturgist:               Let us give thanks to God for His goodness and righteousness.

People:                 We will worship and glorify the Lord Most High.

Liturgist:               Let us come into His presence with rejoicing and thanksgiving. Amen.

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty God, whose mercy and grace blesses our lives, we praise You for the promises of hope that You have made, in order to sustain humankind. You have gathered us to worship You in this holy sanctuary. We delight in Your sacred ways and wholeheartedly accept Your authority over our lives.

People:                 Gracious Father, we have faltered in our faith by allowing our pride, selfishness, and sinful choices to stain our souls. We have been deceived by our desires and distracted by our wants. Forgive us for surrendering to temptation by ignoring Your Holy commands. Hear us now, as we seek Your pardon with our silent prayers.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                  Precious Lord, only Your Son Jesus Christ can save us from our sins. Only He can rescue us from the eternal consequences of our mistakes and choices. He is the Savior of our souls and the Restorer of our salvation. He alone is worthy of our worship, and the deserving of our praise. We make these confessions in Christ's Name and continue to pray in His everlasting words saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Jesus was sent by God to teach us new ways to worship and serve God. He glorified His Heavenly Father by fulfilling the tasks He set out to accomplish. Christ's sacrifice saved our souls. Christ's teaching restored us to God’s Kingdom. Christ's obedience reclaimed us as the sons and daughters of the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and forevermore. 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

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 We have come from our homes, O God, to Your house of holiness and healing. In this sacred sanctuary, we willingly place our lives under Your dominion and power. When we are overwhelmed with fear or anxiety, we need Your peaceful presence, O Lord. When our hearts are filled with hope and we seek to celebrate, we seek Your love around us, O Lord.

People:                When our bodies experience pain and our loved ones are distressed, we need Your healing power, O Lord. Help us and heal us, as well as our loved ones and all for whom we pray. Hear us now.

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

Pastor: May the Lord answer our prayers by changing our lives, refreshing our spirits, and healing our bodies. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.    (Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 114)

Unison Singing of ‘Sanctuary’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, touch our hearts with today’s scriptures and transform our thinking. Keep us focused on our faith, and grant us many opportunities to apply this lesson in our daily lives. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.                                  

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor):       Lord Jesus, You have granted us a sacred understanding of Your ways and given us guidance for our lives. We thank You for these blessings and show our gratitude by offering our gifts and tithes to You. Take them and bless them for the work of Your church, which continues to glorify God and His Kingdom. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray.  Amen.

Communion

Closing Hymn

Benediction: (unison)    May Christ enable us to endure faithfully and witness effectively each day; may the Father continue to encourage us with His everlasting love; and may the Holy Spirit enhance our hope, so that we may joyfully worship and glorify the One, Triune and Living God, both now and always.  Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Prayers for Ordinary 5 and Epiphany 5 - Feb 9

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Liturgist:               May God’s everlasting love be shared with us; may we each know of His grace and salvation.

People:                 We will live together in His Kingdom; we will seek God's wisdom and teaching in His House.

Liturgist:               Let us lift up our hearts and voices as we praise the Lord, whom we worship forever. Amen.

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty God, whose power sustains all that lives and exists, and whose promises remain unbroken, as well as undiminished across the centuries; we worship You with our hearts and serve You with our lives. Your ways are infinitely beyond our own, and Your works are gloriously displayed throughout the universe; therefore, we pledge our loyalty and allegiance to You alone.

People:                Gracious Father, there are moments when we pursue our sinful desires and selfishly make bad choices; there are also times when we cast aside Your holy words and choose to follow our own understanding. Forgive us for being unfaithful, ungrateful, and unworthy of Your grace. Pardon us for separating ourselves from You, and forgive us for allowing pride, as well as greed, to dictate our self-centered decisions. Hear us now as we silently pray.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                  Loving God, we look to You for our salvation through Your Son Jesus Christ. In Him, we find peace and pardon, faith and forgiveness, as well as restoration and redemption. We are thankful for His sacrifice and in His Holy Name, we continue to pray, saying, "Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD'S PRAYER" (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Jesus shows mercy to us and restores us to God's kingdom forever. We rely upon His love and grace. We do not deserve these wonderful gifts, but we are truly thankful and eternally grateful for these blessings. With Christ, we are reunited to God's everlasting favor. To Him be the glory and power, forever and ever. 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:                 O Lord, in all of our hearts we know that You are with us. In each of our lives, we experience Your love. Look upon us, O Lord, and grant our prayers. Have mercy upon us as we seek Your favor and compassion.

People:                 We turn to You for help to diminish our fears. We call on You for healing, and to release us from pain. When our strength is at its lowest, grant us Your power. When our health is weak and fragile, be our support and shield. Hear us now as we silently pray.

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

Pastor:                  May the Lord restore us physically and mentally, as well as emotionally and spiritually. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.                 (Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 14)

Singing of 'Sanctuary.’

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, You have called us to be here today. You want us to receive Christ’s message, and to apply His teachings in our daily lives. Open our hearts and minds to all that God gives us through His sacred words. In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message and the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (in unison – led by pastor)

Lord Jesus, You have called us to be Your followers, even though we are sometimes the least faithful among Your people. With this offering, we express our desire to re-dedicate our lives to You, and pledge our service to God’s Kingdom on Earth. Take our tithes and gifts, and use them for the continuing work of Your Church throughout the world. In Your Sacred Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (in unison):               May Christ make each of our lives a living testimony of faith; may the Father's love keep us focused on His ways; and may the Holy Spirit grant us wisdom and shower us with grace. To the glory and honor of the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and forevermore. Amen.     

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Prayers for Ordinary 31c - Nov 03

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Liturgist:               Almighty God, Your promises have always been fulfilled and we have been constantly blessed by them.

People:                 Gracious Lord, Your righteousness is everlasting and Your Words are forever true.

Leader:                 Heavenly Father, Your teachings are always right; they give us a better understanding so that we may live in Your Presence forever. Amen.

Hymn

               

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty Father, Who created the land, sea and air, we worship Your wonderful ways and praise Your everlasting Name. You are the King of Glory, Whose words produce Life and Whose thoughts uphold the Universe. You have filled history with Your deeds of deliverance and sustained our people with Your Love. You have directed our destinies and determined the paths that we should follow.

People:                 Merciful God, we have sought safety in Your plan of salvation and refuge in Your acts of  redemption. You have become a haven of healing and a harbor of holiness for our minds, our hearts, and our souls. Become a river of life for us, cleansing us of our past mistakes, freeing us from our vilest sins, as well as pardoning us of our selfish ways. We acknowledge that we have disappointed You with our false choices and feeble faith. Hear us now as we personally confess our sins to You.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Father God, without Jesus, we have no hope of forgiveness. Without His sacrifice, we have no way to be forgiven. We place our sinful selves into His Hands and pray that His power will restore us to Your Favor and Eternal Kingdom. For we ask this in our Precious Savior’s Name and through Christ’s own words, we pray, saying,

“Our Father….THE LORD’S PRAYER.” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Jesus alone has the authority to forgive our sins, to feed our souls, and to give us God’s blessings. When we truly believe that He is the Son of God and place our lives into His Keeping, we are guaranteed forgiveness for our sins and receive God’s everlasting love. Let us rejoice and be glad, for Jesus is our One, True, and Living Savior, both now and always. 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.

Children’s Sermon

Encountering God

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                  We will worship you, O LORD, for You lift us out of the depths of despair and will not let our troubles overwhelm us. We call to You for help, for You alone can truly heal us.

People:                 We feel secure in Your Presence and safe in Your Love. Strengthen our faith and diminish our fears. Fill us with peace and free us from pain. O LORD, show Your favor to our friends and families. Grant them health and healing; release them from dismay and depression. Bring to them hope and happiness. Hear us now as we quietly pray.

                               

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                  May our hearts sing to You and never be silent. May we give thanks to You forever. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.                (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 30)

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                                Holy Spirit, You know what lies ahead of each of our lives. You know the joys we will celebrate and the problems we will encounter. Prepare our hearts and minds for those future times by enabling us to hear Christ’s words, receive them in our hearts, and apply them in our daily lives. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings                         

Message

The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (in unison):                                 Lord Jesus, may we primarily give of our lives to Your ministry in this church, community, and nation. May we freely give to You of our time, talents, and resources in ways and means that will honor and glorify Your Name. May You favorably bless these tokens and pledges, these gifts and offerings for the life, work, and mission of Your church at Erin, as well as throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen. 

Hymn                   

Benediction (unison):    May Christ enable us to branch out into the world in service, ministry, and mission; may the Father establish strong and firm roots of faith in our hearts, souls, and minds; and may the Holy Spirit empower us with godly gifts, so that we may witness to Christ’s grace, God’s love, and the Spirit’s compassion, both now and always. Amen.