Sunday Prayers - Ordinary 25 - Sept 18

Approaching God

Prelude

Welcome & Announcements

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Pastor:             O Lord, our God, You are almighty and everlasting, all-powerful and majestic.

People:           We will sing to the Lord all of our lives; we will praise His Name forever.

Pastor:             May our meditations be pleasing to Him, as we rejoice in the Lord.

First Hymn:

           

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:              Gracious and Merciful God, who judges the Earth and all of its inhabitants, we come before You, seeking Your peace and in need of Your strength. Your power sustains our lives; Your ways are holy and perfect; we look to You for mercy and we pray to be forgiven.

People:           Heavenly Father, we have been ensnared by sin and trapped by temptation. We have arrogantly allowed ourselves to be distracted and deceived by our pride, greed, and self-centered choices. Forgive our faithless and fallen ways. Pardon our constant mistakes and destructive sins. Hear us now as we confess our faults to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:              Immortal God, whose wisdom has granted us a Savior and whose mercy has given us salvation, we praise You for sending Jesus into our world and for His supreme sacrifice, which has paid for all our sins. To Christ, we offer our gratitude and thanksgiving. In His holy words, we now pray, saying, "Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD’S PRAYER"

           

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide:              Christ asks us to change our lives and follow His ways.  He does not come to condemn, but instead He seeks to save us from perdition and restore us to God's Kingdom. Let us rejoice and praise Him forever. 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:             Praise be to the LORD our Rock, who prepares us to face our fears and overcome our anxieties. He is our loving God and fortress, our stronghold and deliver, in whom we take refuge.

People:           O Lord, what are we that You should care so much for us? Why are You so constantly involved in our lives? We know that we are weak and frail; that our time is precious and our lives are limited.

Pastor:             Yet You still come down among us, Lord. You still listen to our cries and prayers. We ask that You send forth Your Holy Spirit to heal our lives. Bless our loved ones with recovery and strength, peace and wholeness. Hear us now as we inwardly pray.

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

Pastor:             O Lord, reach down Your hand from on high, and deliver us from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 144)

           

Singing of 'Jesus, Draw Me Close.’

Prayer of Illumination:

Reader:           Holy Spirit, keep us from taking God's Word for granted or from misusing it to justify our selfish choices and sinful ways. Keep us focused on what Christ has to say to our spirits, so that we may honor Him with our lives. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison):              Lord Jesus, You have revealed Your purpose for our church through Your holy scriptures and sacred presence. In Your Name, we gather our tithes and offerings. We ask that You will accept these tokens of our gratitude and help us to apply them to the life, work, and ministry of Your Church in the world. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison):                        May Christ empower us to work for His glory; may the Father greet us each day with love; and may the Holy Spirit reshape our lives so that we may honor, serve, and glorify the One, Triune and Living God, both now and forever. Amen.

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

Sunday Worship prayers - Ordinary 24 - Sept 11

Approaching God

 Prelude

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

 Gathering

 Call to Worship

Pastor:             Surely God is our help; the Lord is the One who sustains us.

People:           We will praise Your Name, O Lord, for it is good and holy.
Pastor:             The Lord delivers us from all our troubles; let us worship and glorify our God!

Hymn:

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:              Eternal Creator and Immortal God, the entire Universe displays Your almighty power and the beings on this planet we call Earth praise Your Holy Name each day. We come before You as seekers and servants, disciples and worshippers to magnify and glorify Your wonderful deeds. We call upon You to fill our lives with Your blessings, bounty, and beauty. Your words sustain and direct us; Your mercies sanctify and correct us; Your love welcomes and accepts us.

People:           Sovereign God and Glorious Savior, forgive us for allowing our faith to weaken and our pride to proliferate; pardon our foolish ways and sinful choices. When we neglect to help others or discard opportunities to meet their needs, have mercy upon us and change our lives. When we forget to be Christians with our families and friends; when we set aside our beliefs in order to be popular, or when we reject the responsibilities of our faith because they are inconvenient, pardon us and challenge our ways. Hear us now as we silently confess our sins to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:              Gracious God, only Jesus can restore us to Your joy and make our lives complete. When we are laid low and beset by sin, He raises us up and returns us to Your blessing and favor. We praise You for the renewing of our hopes and the redeeming of our lives. Our confessions are given in Christ's Name and we further pray in His everlasting words saying, Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:              Christ's teaching came directly from God and the words of forgiveness that He spoke from the Cross apply to all who seek His mercy and believe in His Name. Therefore, we are glad and will rejoice, for Jesus is the Restorer of our souls and the Savior of our lives, 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

(Choir Anthem)

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:             The Lord remembers who we are and will bless us, for God blesses all who revere and glorify His Holy Name.

People:           May the LORD increase our strength and that of all our loved ones. May we each experience the blessings of encouragement and healing from the Maker of Heaven and Earth.

Pastor:            Everything belongs to the LORD; our lives, our loved ones, and our souls are in His hands. Almighty LORD, heal us and all our loved ones from everything that harms us in body, mind, heart and soul. Hear us now as we quietly pray.

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

Pastor:             We will praise and bless the One, True and Living God, whose compassion conquers our fears and whose faithfulness cares for our concerns. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 115)

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw Me Close’

Prayer for Illumination:

Reader:             Holy Spirit, help us to hear what Christ is saying to each one of us through these sacred words. Challenge our opinions and ideas; change our wayward lives and selfish ways. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.            

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, You have come among us, knowing the secrets of our hearts and bringing peace to our minds. We place these offerings and tithes before You, as symbols of our service and tokens of the truth that You proclaim. Take our lives and sanctify them to serve, honor, and worship You each and every day. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray.  Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison):  May Christ grant us faithful endurance in all that we face this week; may the Father bless us with encouragement as we seek to fulfill His purposes; and may the Holy Spirit bestow unity, harmony and peace upon us as we worship, witness, and work to the glory of the One, Triune and Living God, both now and always.  Amen.

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

Sunday Worship Prayers - Ordinary 23A - 04 September

Approaching God

Prelude

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Gathering song

Call to Worship

Pastor:             We will praise the Lord with all our hearts and souls; let us lift up and magnify His Holy name.

People:           We will remember His glorious deeds; we will recount His wonderful blessings.

Leader:            We will glorify the Lord who crowns us with love and compassion; we will worship Him forever.

First Hymn:

           

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:              Almighty and Everlasting God, to whom our hearts belong and through whom our lives are given meaning, we approach Your holy throne and seek to please You with our praise. Holy Lord, whose compassion embraces us and whose strength empowers us, we offer ourselves as servants to Your Kingdom, and as disciples of Your Son.

People:            Merciful Father, You know us perfectly and are completely aware of our mistakes and misdeeds, as well as our shameful secrets and selfish sins. Forgive our foolish and fallen ways. Pardon our self-importance, insensitivity and intolerance. Hear us now as we confess our sins to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Compassionate Lord, absolve us of our sinful past and cleanse us of our faithless ways. Forgive us through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, for His sacrificial death has purchased our salvation. Change our lives through Christ's teaching and challenge us today by His message. In His holy words, we make our confessions and continue to pray, saying, "Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD’S PRAYER

           

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide: Christ confronts our life style choices and seeks to change us with the gospel. He has the power to forgive our past mistakes and restore us to God's everlasting favor. So let us thank Him for giving His life and taking our punishment. He is our immortal Savior and eternal Lord. 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)

Children leave after sermon

Encountering God

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:             O LORD, hear our prayers and listen to us as we cry for mercy. In Your faithfulness and righteousness, come to our relief.

People:           Answer us, O Lord, especially when our spirits fail or we become fearful. Do not hold back Your healing from us; do not leave us in despair.

Pastor: Bring to us Your unfailing love, O God, for we have placed our trust in You. Show us what to do, O Lord, on behalf of our loved ones who are ill and in need of comfort. Heal us and them from all that harms us 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 Lord, in His unfailing love, can preserve our lives and bring us out of trouble. In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 143)

           

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw Me Close.’

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:           Holy Spirit, grant us wisdom and understanding of these sacred scriptures. Speak to our hearts and fill us with Christ's love. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

Sermon & the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison):    Lord Jesus, You have spoken to our hearts through Your word and message. Help us to weigh carefully all that You have given to us here. In loving response, we gather before You our tithes and gifts. We pray that You will receive and bless them for the ministries and missions You would have our church fulfill. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Communion

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ's grace be with us each day; may the Father's peace empower our faith; and may the Holy Spirit keep us devoted to the One, Triune and Living God, both now and forever. Amen.

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

Sunday Worship Prayers - Ordinary 22A - 28 August

Approaching God

Prelude

Welcome and Announcements

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Pastor:             O Lord, look down from Your sanctuary on high; cast Your loving gaze upon Your people.

People:           We will declare the deeds of the Lord and give praises to His holy Name.

Leader:            We have assembled to glorify and worship God. Let us continue to love and adore Him.

First Hymn:

           

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:              Heavenly Father and Wonderful King, we humble ourselves in Your sacred presence; we rejoice in Your holy love. We belong to You and so we seek to serve Your Kingdom. We exalt Your powerful ways and lift up on high Your Everlasting Name.

People:           Loving God, in the midst of our many needs and numerous wants, we sometimes give in to temptation and sin, selfishness and pride. When we go against Your Word or turn our backs on Your counsel, forgive our foolishness and pardon our ingratitude. Hear us now as we confess our sins to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Eternal Lord, through Your divine wisdom, we have been given a Holy Savior. By Your compassionate love and perfect grace, we have been redeemed through Jesus Christ, our Lord. We make our confessions in Christ's Name, knowing that He has all authority in Heaven and on Earth to restore us completely to You. In His sacred words, we now pray, "Our Father, Who art in Heaven...THE LORD’S PRAYER" (debts/debtors)

           

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide:              Christ stooped down from Heaven to become one of us. His perfect obedience to God led Him to be sacrificed for all of our past mistakes and shameful sins. He writes our names in the Book of Life and reclaims us as God's own. Let us rejoice in our Redeemer and celebrate the everlasting victory of our Savior, Jesus Christ. 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

Offering & Offertory anthem

Dedication (unison):              Lord Jesus, You enable us to interpret Your teachings through acts of devotion and love.  Faithfully, we bring before You our tithes and gifts, asking that You will bless them for the preaching of Your Word and the praising of God's Name. Amen.

Children leave for Enrichment and Planet Worship

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:             O LORD, we cry aloud to You and lift up our voices for mercy. We pour out our petitions to You, O Lord; we tell our heartfelt troubles to You alone.

People:           When our spirits are weary and our hearts are full of anxiety, we turn to You, O Lord, who sees the way ahead. When we feel isolated and alone, uncared for and unloved, we seek refuge in You, our God.

Pastor:             The Lord is our source for strength. He has the power to overcome our sickness, suffering and pain. Rescue us, O Lord, and all our loved ones, for we are in need of healing, wholeness and recovery from all that harms us 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 Lord sets us free from our fears and restores us by His goodness, compassion, and love. In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 142)

           

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw Me Close.’

Prayer of Illumination:

Reader:            Holy Spirit, grant us wisdom and understanding of these sacred scriptures. Speak to our hearts and fill us with Christ's love. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May we obediently serve Christ in our daily lives; may the Father's wisdom brings us everlasting joy; and may the Holy Spirit keep us faithfully devoted to the One, Triune and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

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

            

Sunday Worship prayers - Ordinary 21A - August 21

Approaching God

Prelude

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Pastor:             Let us sing of God's love and justice; let us sing our praises to Him.

People:           We will devote our lives to God; we await His coming among us.

Pastor:             Let us worship the Lord in His holy house; let us glorify the Living God!

First Hymn:

           

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide: Amazing and Almighty Lord, we come before You as Your people. We gather together to bless Your Wonderful Name. We open our hearts and minds to Your presence and power. We seek to delight in Your words and want to please You with our praises.

People:           Eternal Father, sometimes we close our spirits to Your guidance and sever our hearts from Your love. We permit pride to direct our paths and allow sin to determine our choices. We create gloom and darkness in our lives through ungodly and deceitful ways. Forgive us for being foolish and mistaken, selfish and sinful. Hear us now as we confess our faults to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Gracious God, through Jesus Christ, we are absolved of the past and forgiven of our mistakes. We are embraced by His love and restored through His sacrifice. Therefore, inChrist's Name, we sincerely pray and with His words we continue by saying, “Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD’S PRAYER”

           

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide: Jesus answers all of our prayers through His holy words. He frees us from our sinful past and allows us to regain the hope of eternal life with God. He is the Savior of our souls and the healer of our broken ways. Let us rejoice and be glad, for Christ is our Redeemer and Everlasting 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)

Encountering God

Offering and Offertory Anthem

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, You personally speak to our hearts and call us individually by name.  We are privileged to be Your servants, so we gather our tithes and gifts before Your throne. Take them and bless them for the ministries and missions that You would have us support, enable, accomplish and fulfill. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Children leave for Planet Worship

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:             O LORD, come to us quickly when we call to You; hear the cries from our hearts. May our prayers be set before You, as we lift up our requests for healing to You.

People:           Keep us focused on these prayers; help us to value our requests and petitions. Enable our hearts to be drawn to Your compassion and love. Let our minds be strengthened with Your peace and grace.

Pastor:             May Your kindness uplift our spirits; may Your care cause us to endure. As we pray, Almighty Lord, may we, and all our loved ones, be healed of all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul. Hear us now as we silently pray.

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

Pastor:             May the furrows of our faith bring forth a harvest of healing and wholeness. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 141)

           

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw me Close.’

Prayer of Illumination:

Reader:           Holy Spirit, overcome our opposition to Christ's teaching and holy words. Help us to retain His message in our hearts and permit us opportunities to practice and share His commands in our daily lives. In Christ's Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Closing Hymn:

Benediction(unison): May we serve Christ faithfully and effectively each day; may the Father speak to our hearts and direct our paths; and may the Holy Spirit keep us determined to worship the One, Triune and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

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