Sunday Worship prayers - Lent 1 - February 26

Approaching God

Prelude

Welcome and announcements

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Pastor:             May the Lord remember His promises to all His people, for we are given hope through them.

People:           In the midst of our troubles, we are comforted by the Lord. His words reassure us                                         throughout our lives.

Pastor:             Let us come to God, with our worship and praises. Let us glorify His Holy Name. Amen.

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:              Gracious God, each day we turn to You for guidance and try to live our lives by keeping Your commands. At the end of the day, we look to You to pardon our sins, for we will have failed to perfectly keep Your words. Merciful Lord, if we try to ignore Your presence, we are only fooling ourselves. If we think that we can hide our secrets from You, we are deluded.

People:           Loving Lord, You gave each of us life, so that we may enjoy the works of Your creation and delight in Your ways. Forgive us for wasting this precious gift, and for straying from Your holy paths. We regret disappointing You, hurting other people, and neglecting our faith. We are sorry for allowing sin to affect our decisions, ruin our relationships, and damage our souls.  Hear us now as we silently confess our faults to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Almighty Father, we are eternally indebted to Your Son Jesus Christ. His sacrifice has saved our souls; His grace has generated faith within our hearts. Christ is the Lord of our lives, the Head of the Church, and the Healer of the World. In His Holy Name, we make our confessions, and through His sacred words, we continue to pray, saying, "Our Father...THE LORD'S PRAYER"  (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide:              Everything that Jesus tells us in the scriptures leads us to experience the love of His Father in Heaven. Because Christ compassionately loves us, He listens to our confessions and forgives all of our mistakes. We are completely washed in His sacred blood and joyfully restored to God's favor, 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

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:             O Lord, as we abide in Your sanctuary, may Your Holy Spirit descend upon us. As we await Your sacred presence, may Your righteousness cover all our sins.

People:           Speak to our hearts, Loving Father, and let Your truth comfort our souls. When we are hurting, heal our pain. When we are grieving, grant us grace. When we are fearful, fill us with faith.

Pastor:             Gracious Lord, we depend upon Your promises to sustain us in times of trouble, worry, and stress. Hear our prayers, Holy Lord. Heal our loved ones, and us, from all the harm and ill health that damages our hearts and minds, as well as our bodies and souls. Hear us now as we quietly pray.

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

Pastor:             The Lord keeps His word, so we shall not be shaken. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 15)

Singing of “Jesus Draw Me Close."

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:           Holy Spirit, You descend among us to inspire our hearts and minds with Christ's teachings and God's love. Enable us to receive God's message for today. Help us to apply His words throughout the coming week. In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, we are only Christians by the grace of God. We cannot earn salvation, nor pay our way into heaven. We owe You absolutely everything. From the fruits of our labors and the resources of our lives, we present to You our tithes and gifts. Accept them for the continuing work of Your church, the preaching of the Gospel, and the proclaiming of God's Name, both in this community and throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ write His words within our hearts; may the Father grant us a better understanding of His ways; and may the Holy Spirit fill us with an eternal hope in the One, Triune and Living God, forever and ever. Amen.         

Doxology         May God's Blessing & Postlude

Sunday Worship Prayers - ordinary 7 - February 19

Approaching God

Prelude

Welcome and announcements

Gathering song

Call to Worship

Pastor:             In our hearts, God is known; His Name is great throughout the Earth.

People:           God dwells among us and His presence strengthens our hearts

Pastor:             The LORD is resplendent with light and more majestic than the mountains. Let us praise and worship God!

First Hymn:

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:              Everlasting Lord and Glorious Majesty, who speaks to all creation and with one Word sustains the entire universe, we worship and adore Your wonderful ways. We are blessed with Your sacred presence and strengthened by Your divine love. Come among us, O Lord, and sanctify our worship, for You are the One, True, and Living God

People:            Gracious Father, You require us to listen to Your voice and to follow Your commands. We confess that we have disobeyed You and have often rebelled against Your rules. We are weak, mortal, and imperfect; You are holy, immortal, and almighty. Forgive our faithless words and selfish ways; pardon our mistaken acts and sinful deeds. Hear us now as we silently pray.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Loving God, enable us to pay attention to You, so that we may truly hear what You have to say through Jesus Christ, Your Holy Son. In Him, our spirits are reunited to You. Through Him, we are saved from eternal destruction. We thank You, Immortal Lord, for bringing Jesus, our Savior into our lives. In His Name and by His words, we conclude these prayers, saying, saying, "Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:              We thirst for Jesus and His soul-refreshing words. He is the Savior of our souls and the Healer of our hearts. Let us rejoice and be glad, for Christ has overcome sin and death, bringing to us eternal blessings of faith, hope, and love 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

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:             We call to You, with all of our hearts, O LORD; answer us and we will obey Your decrees. We call upon You to save us and heal us. We also pledge to follow Your counsel and accept Your ways.

People:           Each day, Lord, we ask You for help; we place our hopes in Your promises and words. Hear our prayers, Lord, in accordance with Your love; preserve and sustain us through the abundance of Your compassion.

Pastor: You are near to us, O Lord, and Your promises are true. We bring before You our loved ones, our neighbors, other people and ourselves. We need You to heal us of everything that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul. Hear us now, as we inwardly pray.

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

Pastor:             Lord God, long ago Your words were created, written and sanctified, helping our people to faithfully follow You. Grant us healing and wholeness in Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 119:Qoph)

Singing of ‘Jesus Draw Me Close.’

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:            Holy Spirit, let these words of scripture send us a meaningful message today. Enable our hearts to receive Christ's teaching, and open our minds to His ways. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.         (Acts 5:27)

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, You have come among us to display God's good works in our lives, as well as throughout the world. You call upon us to faithfully serve Your continuing ministry and mission. Take these gifts as our cheerful responses to that invitation, blessing them for the life and work that our church undertakes and fulfills to the glory of God and His Kingdom. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ enable us to please God throughout our days; may the Father continually direct our choices in purposeful ways; and may the Holy Spirit empower us to make meaningful contributions of our lives, to the glory of the One, Triune, and Living God, forever and ever. Amen.

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

Sunday Worship Prayer - Ordinary 6 - February 12

Approaching God

Prelude

Welcome and announcements

Gathering song

Call to Worship

Pastor:             May the Lord's unfailing love come to us; may we know of His promised salvation.

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

Pastor:             Let us lift up our hearts and hands as we worship the Lord, whom we adore forever. Amen.

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

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

People:           Gracious Father, we still pursue our sinful desires and selfishly make bad choices; we sometimes neglect Your holy words and choose to act upon our own understanding. Forgive us for being foolish and unwise, insensitive and ungrateful. We know that we cannot hide from Your gaze, nor can we flee from Your presence. You know everything about us and every secret that we hide. Pardon us for avoiding the truth, and forgive us for allowing self-centered pride to dictate our decisions. Hear us now as we solemnly ask for mercy.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Loving God, we look to You for salvation through Your Son Jesus Christ. In Him, we find peace and pardon, faith and forgiveness, as well as rebirth and redemption. We applaud His sacrifice and we glorify His deeds. In His Holy Name, we make our personal confessions, and by His sacred words we continue to pray, saying, "Our Father…THE LORD'S PRAYER"  (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide: Jesus could truly judge us and cast us away from God's Kingdom forever. We rely upon His mercy and grace to restore us to God’s love. We do not deserve these wonderful gifts, but we are truly thankful and will be eternally grateful for these blessings. Without them, we are lost forever, but with Christ, we are given 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 our hearts, we know that You are with us. In our lives, we each experience Your love. Look down upon us, O Lord, and grant us a true understanding of Your ways. Have mercy upon us as we seek Your favor.

People:           When we turn to You for help, O God, diminish our fears. When we call upon You for healing, 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.

 Pastor:            Keep us from being overwhelmed by dread or anxiety. Save us from being overcome with sorrow and depression. O Lord, You are our refuge and redeemer, therefore we ask for healing for all our loved ones, as well as ourselves  May You 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, emotionally and spiritually. In Jesus' Name, we ask. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 14)

Singing of “Jesus Draw Me Close.”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:           Holy Spirit, You have called us to be here in church 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 these sacred words. In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, we do not deserve to be called Your followers, for we are the least among Your people. We allow pride and prejudice to work against Your church at times, and we are not always constant with our worship, duty, or faith. During this offering, we want to re-dedicate our lives and pledge our faith in You alone. Take our tithes and gifts, and bless them for the hallowed work of Your Church on Earth. In Your Sacred Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ make our lives a living testimony of faith; may the Father's love keep us focused and sincere; 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         May God's Blessing & Postlude

Sunday Prayers for Ordinary 5 - February 05

Approaching God

Prelude

Welcome and announcements

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Pastor:             May the LORD teach us His ways; may we keep His word throughout our lives.

People:           God grants us meaning and purpose, when we obey Him and praise His deeds.

Pastor:             May the LORD direct us as we delight in worshipping and glorifying His Name. Amen.

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:              Sovereign Lord, we gather here in Your sacred House of Prayer and come to honor Your authority over all Creation. We seek to please You with our praises and want to serve You with our worship.

People:           Merciful Father, we are ashamed of our past sins and sorry for our continual mistakes. We regret being selfish and tarnishing our lives with foolish choices. Instead of finding joy in Your salvation, we fret over our failures. Instead of trusting Your strength, we weaken our faith through being proud and angry, bitter and self-centered. Forgive us for ignoring Your guidance and influence over our lives. Hear us now as we humbly pray.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:              Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing us to confess our sins; for granting us mercy, and for giving us Your Son, Jesus Christ, as our One, True and Holy Savior. In His Hands, we place our souls; in His Name, we make our confessions, and in His words we continue to pray, saying, "Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide:              The world questions who Jesus was, but we know that He is all that He ever claimed to be. He is the Holy Son of God, the Savior of our souls, and the Ruler of the Universe. By Him, we are granted forgiveness and through Him, we can receive eternal life. Let us rejoice and worship Christ, 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

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:             How long, O God, will we experience sickness and pain? How long will we endure illness and anxiety? How long must we wrestle with our worries, and find sadness in our hearts? How long shall we strive and be subjected to stress?

People:           Look upon on us, O LORD, our God, and mercifully answer us. Lighten our loads and save us from despair. When our hopes seem to fail, heal our hurts. When we falter through fear, restore our faith.

Pastor:             O Lord, we will trust in Your unfailing love; we will rejoice in Your salvation. Come among us, Gracious God, and be present with our loved ones. Heal us from all that harms us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Hear us now as we silently pray.

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

Pastor:             We will praise the Lord, for He has been good to us. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 13)

Unison singing of “Jesus Draw Me Close.”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:           Holy Spirit, each time we visit God's House, we learn more about the truth of Jesus Christ. His words and ways come to us across the centuries, from the events and experiences of His amazing Earthly Life. Open our hearts and minds, our spirits and souls to Him today. In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, You come among us and grant us Your peace. You forgive our sins and restore us to God's love. In response, we give our lives to You, and we ask that You will bless them, so that we may honor God throughout our days. We also bring before You our tithes and gifts. Bless these tokens of our gratitude to the continuing life, work, and mission of Your Church on Earth, in this community, and all over the world. In Your Precious Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Communion

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ continue to help us as He intercedes for us; may the Father keep us thankful for the favors He grants us each day; and may the Holy Spirit guide us as we worship, serve, and glorify the One, Triune and Living God, both now and forevermore. Amen.                  

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Worship Prayers - Ordinary 2 - Jan 15

Approaching God

Prelude

Welcome and Announcements

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Pastor:             Let us praise the Lord for every good thing He brings into our lives.

People:           May He open our eyes that we may see His glorious deeds; may He open our hearts that we may truly worship Him.

Pastor:             May our souls be consumed with His love; may our spirits delight in His presence. Amen.

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:              Almighty Father, each week we collectively worship in Your Holy House; each day, we walk in Your Holy Presence. You have given us life and granted us faith. You have blessed us with hope and filled us with Your love.

People:           Gracious God, our sins create a wall between us; our faithless ways separate us from Your sacred and holy kingdom. We are sorry for our past mistakes and personal failings. We regret allowing temptation to overcome our spirits, causing our faith to collapse, and our souls to be damaged. Hear us now as we silently and sorrowfully make our confessions to You.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:              Everlasting God, we owe everything to You, especially our salvation. You have given Jesus as the joy of our lives and the Savior of our souls. Without His grace, our faith is groundless; without His mercy, our lives are meaningless. We therefore pledge our hearts to Christ our King and seek to serve Him all of our days. In His sacred words, we continue to pray saying, "Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD'S PRAYER" (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide: Jesus teaches us that unless we believe in Him, we will die in our sins.  Because we have come to Him today, to seek His pardon and to look for His mercy, Jesus receives our confessions and restores us to God's pleasure. Let us rejoice in Christ, for He is our Eternal Savior and King, both now and 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:             In the Lord, we will take our refuge. In His love, we will be encouraged and endure. The Lord sees our trouble and knows of our afflictions. He confronts our fears and seeks to calm our worries.

People:           Sometimes Lord, our faith is assailed by sickness and our doubts cause us to question You; please hear our prayers and listen to our pleas. From on high, You watch over us. You examine our plight and understand our pain.

Pastor: God knows His people and He preserves us. He alone has the power to heal us with peace, strength, and love. O Lord, we bring before You our prayers for healing. Come amongst us and touch us with Your loving hands. Be with our loved ones and heal them from all that harms them. Hear us now as we pray.

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

Pastor:             The Lord is righteous and He loves justice. He hears our prayers in Jesus' Name. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 11)

Singing of “Jesus Draw Me Close.”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:           Holy Spirit, we have heard that Christ has the words of eternal life and that He is the true source of all that can nourish our souls, and spirits. Let His words and ways enter our hearts and minds, so that we may accept and apply His Gospel teaching each day of our lives. In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, You built Your church upon the faith and experiences of all Your followers. Today, we are the heirs of Your ways and the messengers of Your words. Take our tithes and gifts and bless them for the continuing work of Your church here in this place, this nation, and throughout the world.  In Your Holy Name, we faithfully give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ remain within our hearts and encourage us each day; may the Father enable us to depend upon His blessings; and may the Holy Spirit raise and enhance our faith, so that we may cheerfully, lovingly and thankfully serve the One, Triune and Living God, both now and always. Amen.                 

Doxology         May God's Blessing & Postlude