Advent devotions for Kindle

Advent is now upon us and many Christians are looking for devotions to help them through each day of this very special season. Over the past three years, hundreds of people have used my Advent devotions on Kindle. This year, my Kindle Advent devotion book is called "Holding On To Hope."

It contains 25 new daily devotions with Bible verses, prayers, questions for reflection, as well as my own specially created pieces of digital artwork.

The Kindle book only costs 99 cents and, with the new free Kindle app for all laptops and mobile devices now available, any one can get to purchase a copy and join the growing number of people who use these books.

Advent 4 Sunday Prayers - Dec 22

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship: Advent Four

Pastor:                 Isaiah 7:14          Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Family:                  Love is the theme of the Fourth Sunday in Advent. Love is what we all seek from our families and friends. The scriptures tell us that God is love, and that He loved the world so much, He allowed His Son Jesus to come among us. Love is at the heart of our faith and will continue beyond our mortal lives, through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Lighting of Four Advent Candles, including the Pink Joy Candle.

Family:                  May the love of God be experienced by all in our worship today.

All:                         Glory be to God on high! Amen.               Singing of “Gloria in Excelsis Deo.”

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Eternal Foundation of All Life, Everlasting God and Creator of the Universe, we come before You as servants and seekers, as well as disciples and people devoted to You. Living Lord, You are our Rock and refuge, our shield and salvation, and also our gracious leader and loving guide.

People:                 Heavenly Father, we have sometimes wandered from Your ways and pushed against Your righteousness. We have chosen to embrace our pride and greed; we have followed after false notions and selfish sins. Forgive us for being unfaithful, 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 salvation. We turn away from our guilty sins and seek Christ to renew our lives. Keep us in fellowship with Jesus and help us to remain united to 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 to be forgiven of all things and restored to God’s favor and grace. Without Jesus, we have no hope of receiving the love of God. With Christ, we are spiritually purified and totally pardoned. We rejoice in His power and Holy Name, 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, in the midst of this sanctuary, our souls yearn for Your Favor, and our hearts cry out for healing. Bless us, Living God, for we set our hopes on You and trust You for our strength.

People:                 Hear our prayers, O LORD God Almighty; listen to us, O God of Jacob. Look upon Your people, gathered here in Your Name. Look upon us with mercy and compassion, for You alone, O LORD, can fill us with hope and help us through each day.

Pastor:                 Gracious God, do not withhold Your power from us; please heal our loved ones from their sickness and pain, their anxieties and depression, as well as their illnesses and injuries. Hear us now as we pray.

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 ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, enable us to receive God’s word into our hearts through the reading of these sacred scriptures. Lead us with Christ’s teaching and presence in our lives. May we experience Him being born in our spirits this day and forevermore. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message and Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (in unison – led by pastor): 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 offering to You alone. Take these gifts and bless them for Your work in the world, as well as Your ministry among us. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Hymn

Benediction (unison):    May Christ enable us to love and support our neighbors each day; may the Father help us to treat 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 & Postlude

Advent 3 Sunday Prayers - Dec 15

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship: Advent Three

Pastor:                 Isaiah 35:1-2                      The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God.

Family:                  Joy is the theme of the Third Sunday in Advent. Joy refreshes our spirits in times of trouble and emptiness. Jesus Christ is the everlasting joy of our loving hearts. We look forward to that glorious day when He will return among us, so that the whole Earth may rejoice with Him forevermore.

Lighting of Three Advent Candles, which includes the Pink Joy candle.

Family:                  May the joy of Christ be present in our lives as we worship Him as our King.

All:                         Glory be to God on high! Amen.               Singing of “Gloria in Excelsis Deo.”

Hymn   

               

Prayer of Confession and Adoration

Guide:                  Almighty Lord, whose power cannot be limited and whose will can never be diminished; we applaud Your majestic works of creation and praise Your deeds of deliverance throughout history.  You sustain the Universe through mercy and grace. You watch over our lives with great care and compassion. Who are we to receive such blessings? What are we that You should love us so perfectly?

People:                 Living God, the Earth belongs to You and everything in it. We joyfully seek to serve You all of our days, but sometimes we fail and make mistakes. We hurt other people with our foolish words and thoughtless deeds. We neglect the real needs of other people and cast aside our faith at times. Forgive our selfish ways and sinful choices. Help us to turn to Jesus for the mercy that we require, as well as for the grace that we do not deserve. Hear us now as we pray.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Loving Father, thank You for sending Jesus into our world to give us the joyful opportunity of being restored to Your Favor and Kingdom. We praise You for His perfect obedience and sacred sacrifice which have brought us complete and eternal salvation. In His words, we now pray:  “Our Father….The Lord’s Prayer (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Jesus is the evening and morning star of our lives. He gives us purpose and meaning so that we can follow His ways and walk in his paths. When we are disobedient to God and sinfully selfish, He forgive our sins and helps us through His wisdom, teaching, and Spirit to change our lives and restore us to God. So let us truly rejoice and give thanks, for Jesus is our Savior and we are blessed through the riches of His grace and the wonders of His love. Amen.

Gloria Patri (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 trust in You, O Lord, for You are good and we live to enjoy Your strength and salvation. We delight in You, and we pray that You will grant us the desires of our hearts.

People:                 We commit ourselves and our loved ones to You, O Lord, for we trust that You will help us and heal us from all harm. You brighten our lives with the promises of Your love. We pray that You will listen to our concerns and allay our fears through the power of faith.

Pastor:                  Let us be still in the presence of the Lord and wait patiently for His grace. May our loved ones also await the Lord and abide in His way. May He bless them with hope, healing, and strength.          

               

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                  Salvation comes from the Lord, for He is our stronghold in time of trouble. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.                (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 37)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                                Holy Spirit, challenge us to change our lives through the scriptures we read today. Enable us to be worthy of Christ’s Name by applying the lessons we learn from the Bible. Grant us the gift of Your Spirit in our lives and enhance our understanding of God. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings                         

The Message and Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory     

Dedication (in unison – led by pastor)                   Lord Jesus, we feast from Your blessings and quench our spiritual thirst with Your teaching and truth. In response, we gather and present this offering, recognizing that there are ministries and missions which You have called upon our church to support, strengthen, and fulfill. May we glorify You through these gifts, as well as the giving of our lives. In Your Precious Name, we pray. Amen.

Hymn                                   

Benediction (unison):    May Christ keep us free from ignoring His wonders and ways in our lives. May the Father eliminate conceit in our hearts and replace it with compassion; and may the Holy Spirit deepen our faith and prepare us for the joyous time when all things will be reconciled to the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and forevermore. Amen.

Doxology            

Postlude

Advent 2 Sunday Prayers - Dec 8

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship: Advent Two

Pastor:                 Isaiah 11:6-7      The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox.

Family:                  Peace is the theme of the Second Sunday in Advent. Peace is what we all long for in our lives and the scriptures tell us of a wonderful day when all of nature will be at peace forever. Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace and we welcome His sacred presence in the world.

Lighting of Two Advent candles

Family:                  May Christ’s peace descend upon our hearts and souls during this time of praise.

All:                         Glory be to God on high! Amen.               Singing of “Gloria in Excelsis Deo.”

Hymn   

               

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Eternal Majesty, whose riches and resources are unlimited; whose power is absolute and abounding with holiness; we gather before You in this place of praise, peace, and prayer. You have set apart this time in our lives to worship and adore You. We have responded to Your call and we continue to bless Your Holy Name.

People:                 Gracious Father, we confess our sins to You. We have stored up bitterness in our hearts. We have allowed pride to damage our souls. We have hurt other people with our words and disappointed You with our deceptions. We have fulfilled our own desires and cast aside Your commandments. Forgive us, Merciful God, as we repent of our sinful ways and selfish deeds. Hear us now as we personally seek Your pardon.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Compassionate Lord, who permits us to call upon Your Son for help, healing, and wholeness, we praise You for the promises of salvation through the blood and sacrifice of Jesus. Without His obedience to You, we would remain unforgiven. Through His sacrifice, we are pardoned and restored to Your favor forever. Hear us now as we pray in Christ’s words, saying, “Our Father….THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Jesus is the King of Creation and the Lord of our lives. We did not give this honor to Him. Through His complete devotion and perfect obedience, God bestowed upon Jesus all authority on Earth and in heaven to forgive our sins, to restore us to God’s favor, so that we may be welcomed into His Eternal Kingdom. Let us rejoice and be truly thankful, for Jesus is our One, True, and Only 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.

Children’s Sermon

Encountering God

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                  Your healing love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens; Your faithfulness to the skies. Your strength is like the mighty mountains; Your justice is deep and unfailing.

People:                 O LORD, we pray that You will preserve our lives and loved ones. How precious is Your constant love and mercy to us! May our families and friends find refuge in Your presence and healing from all that harms them.

Pastor:                  May we all regain our health and strength from the abundance of Your power; may You grant our petitions and delight us with Your grace. Hear us now as we pray.

                               

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Leader:                 Living and Gracious Lord, continue Your love to those who need You, and Your healing to those most cherished in our hearts. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 36)

Singing of Sanctuary

Prayer for Illumination

Reader :               Holy Spirit, challenge and change us through the truths that these sacred scriptures reveal. Move our hearts and show us how to fulfill Christ’s message in our daily lives. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings                         

The Message and Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory     

Dedication (unison – led by pastor)                        Lord Jesus, You know us completely and perfectly understand everything about our lives. We often fail to fulfill our service and devotion to You, and yet You still allow us to receive the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation. With humble and sincere thanks, we offer You our time, talents, and money. Take these tokens of our gratitude and bless them for the continuing life, work, and ministry of Your Church in this community, across this nation, and throughout the world. In Your Precious Name, we pray. Amen.  

Hymn                   

               

Benediction (unison):    May Christ protect us from our sinful nature and keep us on His Holy path; may the Father continually cultivate our faith through His Love and Grace; and may the Holy Spirit enable us to branch out into the world to effectively witness to God’s kingdom, glory, and power. Both now and forever. Amen.

Doxology

Postlude

Advent 1 Sunday Prayers - Dec 01

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship: Advent One

Pastor:                 Isaiah 2:3            Many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Family:                  Hope is the theme of the First Sunday in Advent. Hope reminds us that our future is in God’s safe hands and that His promises will always be fulfilled. He teaches us His ways through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Lighting of First Advent candle.

Family:                  We are blessed by Christ’s Birth and redeemed through His Resurrection.

All:                         Glory be to God on high! Amen.               Singing of “Gloria in Excelsis Deo.”

Hymn   

               

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Everlasting God, whose deeds are constantly remembered and faithfully celebrated by every generation; whose power knows no limitations, and whose kingdom never ends; we gather before You to honor Your historic acts and to worship Your wonderful ways.

People:                 Gracious Lord, we have constantly known and experienced Your Wisdom and Love. Across the span of our lives, You have never forsaken or failed us. However, we have plainly rebelled and sinned against You. We have led fallen lives and made foolish mistakes. We have succumbed to selfish ways and surrendered to temptation. Forgive us, Merciful God, and hear our personal confessions.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Holy God, without Christ’s grace, we have no hope of forgiveness. Without Christ’s mercy, we could not be restored to Your favor and kingdom. Thank You for His sacrifice. Thank You for His Ministry among us. Thank You for reconciling us to You through Him. For we make our prayers in Jesus’ Name, and through His own Holy words, we now pray, saying, “Our Father….THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  We recognize Jesus as God’s True and Holy Son. Only Christ has the authority on Earth to forgive our foolish ways and pardon our personal sins. So let us rejoice and be glad, for Jesus came into our world to reconcile all things to God, through His Obedience, Sacrifice, and Love. 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:                  Contend, O LORD, with those things which harm us; defend us against all things which weaken our bodies, minds, and spirits. Listen to our heartfelt prayers and pleas for healing; arise, Heavenly Father, and come to our aid.

People:                 Brandish Your power against those viruses and diseases, sicknesses and cancers which threaten our health. Grant peace for our troubled minds and bring strength to our souls by becoming our complete and holistic salvation.

Pastor:                  Permit our loved ones to also rejoice in Your healing, LORD;  let them recover through Your total deliverance. Enable us to give You thanks in this congregation for answered prayers; from the depths of our souls, we bring You our concerned pleas and personal petitions for hope, health, and healing.                               

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                  May we and all our loved ones say, "The LORD be exalted, who delights in the well-being of His people." In Jesus’ Name.             Amen.                  (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 35)

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                                Holy Spirit, assure us, as we go through life, that God has made Jesus our Savior, Redeemer and Lord. Reveal to us, through these sacred scriptures, the meaning of Christ’s message and ministry for us today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Scripture Readings                         

The Message and the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory:    

Dedication (unison – led by pastor)                        Lord Jesus, Your grace gives us hope and we are blessed by Your promises of salvation. With our time and talents, as well as our resources and gifts, You can enhance the ministries and missions of this church. Take these tokens from our labors and savings, and bless them for Your work in this congregation, community, and around the world. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Communion

Hymn                                   

Benediction (unison):    May Christ keep us constant in our daily faith; may the Father continue to involve us in His work of reconciliation; and may the Holy Spirit continually inspire our spirits, nourish our souls, and provide us with many opportunities to witness to the glory, kingdom, and power of the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and forever. Amen.

Doxology and Postlude