Sunday Prayers: Baptism of Christ - Year B - January 11

Approaching God

Welcome & Church Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Herald:                 Show us Your ways, O LORD, and teach us Your paths.

People:                 Guide us by Your truth and lead us, for You are our God and Savior.

Herald:                 Our hope is in You all day long, therefore we will worship and glorify You forever. Amen.

Hymn:

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty Creator and Perfect God, we gather in Your House of peace to praise Your Greatness and honor Your Holiness. Your works and mighty acts have blessed our people for generations. Your ways and special words have inspired our spirits across the centuries.

People:                 Gracious Father, we are unworthy of Your blessings. You are righteous and we are sinful. You are upright and truthful; we are weak and deceitful. Our lives are imperfect because we allow pride, greed, and anger to tarnish our souls and influence our choices. Forgive us for being shallow and selfish, faithless and false, as well as hurtful and unholy. Hear us now as we confess our sins to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Loving Lord, we thank You for Jesus, Your Holy Son and our Eternal Savior, in whose Name we make our confessions and continue praying in His words, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  The Christian life is never easy because we are expected to have higher and holier standards than the rest of the world. When we fail to live up to Christ’s teaching, we absolutely need to seek His forgiveness. When we confess our faults and sincerely ask for pardon, Jesus immediately forgives us. So let us rejoice and be glad for we have been shown great mercy and are restored to God’s favor and love. In Christ’s Name. 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:                 Hear, O LORD, our personal prayers and answer us, for we are poor in spirit and need Your care.

People:                 Guard our lives and protect us from illness or injury, for we are dependent upon Your grace.

Pastor:                  Have mercy upon us, O Lord, for we implore You this day to sustain our health and healing. Hear our prayers, O LORD; listen to our cries for help. Heal us and each of our loved ones from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and spirit.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 In the day of our trouble we will call to You, O Living God, for we know that You will answer us. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.                    (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 86)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, encourage us through the living message of these sacred scriptures and open our hearts to receive God’s word. Astonish us with this teaching and enable us to take note of all that God fulfills in the life of Christ. In Jesus’ Name, we read and pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (in unison – led by pastor): Lord Jesus, You have freely given us faith, hope, and love, while knowing that we can never repay You for the sacred debts we owe. Through faith, we gather our offerings and tithes. With hope, we ask for Your blessing on these tokens. In love, we seek Your favor and pray for guidance to use these gifts for the preaching of the gospel, the sharing of the scriptures, and the praising of our God. In Your Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Hymn:

Benediction (unison):  May Christ help us to live faithful lives which are worthy of His Name; may the Father keep us free from selfish and sinful ways; and may the Holy Spirit grant us love and joy, both now and evermore. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Christmas 2 Prayers: Sunday prayers for Epiphany - January 4

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Herald:                 May the Lord Who makes all things new, permit His Holy Presence to be with us today.

People:                 May our praises be acceptable to God; may our prayers be answered by Him.

Herald:                 Let us sing and rejoice; let us worship and glorify God! Amen.

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Everlasting God, as we enter this New Year, we pray for Your guidance and reassurance, Your presence and blessing in our lives. We know that our world is sustained by Your power, and we acknowledge that our lives are extended by Your grace. You have created us for Your pleasure, so enable us to find ways to faithfully and lovingly serve You.

People:                 Gracious Lord, we know that we have many failings and that our weaknesses cause us to drift away from You. We allow sin to corrupt our souls and permit greed to tarnish our lives. Forgive us for offending You by neglecting our faith. Pardon us for disappointing You by ignoring Your commands. Hear us now as we inwardly repent of our wrong ways and confess our selfish sins to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Loving Father, You gave Your Son Jesus to our world as the means of forgiveness for all of our sins. We know that there is no other salvation without Him; we understand that there is no other Savior except Him. Therefore, we place our lives into His hands and our souls into His keeping. We make our prayers in His Name and conclude with His own words, saying: “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                   As our Teacher, Christ reveals to us God’s words and ways; as our Savior, Jesus brings to us God’s mercy and grace. In Him, we are completely forgiven in order to be restored to God’s Kingdom and 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.

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

Encountering God

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 O Lord, bestow Your favor upon us and restore our health through Your holy power. Relieve our fears and diminish our doubts; strengthen our bodies and heal our minds. Place Your peace within our hearts and grant Your unfailing love to our families and friends, in the midst of their troubles, illnesses, and crises.

People:                 May Your love rekindle our hopes; may Your faithfulness restore our health. May Your righteousness speed our recovery and may Your peace bestow well-being to our bodies, minds, hearts, and souls. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 The LORD will indeed give what is good, and our lives will experience healing and strength. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.                 (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 85)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, allow us to gladly receive God’s Word and accept the message given to us through the reading of them. May our spirits be encouraged and our lives inspired through this precious teaching. 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 called us to serve You by using our time, talents, and money to support the ministries and missions that You desire our church to accomplish. May our gifts be blessed and used to fulfill Your work throughout this congregation, around our community, and across the world. In Your Name, we cheerfully give and pray. Amen.

Communion

Hymn

Benediction (unison):  May Christ’s light brighten our lives each day; may the Father’s love protect us from all harm; and may the Holy Spirit continue to guide and bless us, so that we may faithfully serve the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and evermore. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Christmas 1 Sunday prayers - Dec 28

Approaching God

Welcome and announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Herald:                 The LORD is our shepherd, we shall not be in want.

People:                 He guides us to this place of peace; He leads us into His sacred presence.

Herald:                 The Lord restores our souls and guides us every day. Let us worship and glorify God! Amen.

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty Father, in whose Name we gather and to whom we dedicate our lives, accept the praises of our lips and the prayers of hearts. Your power is beyond our imagining and Your ways are often mysterious; today we seek Your blessing and long to experience Your Holy Presence.

People:                 Gracious Lord, at times we fail to accomplish Your bidding. There are moments each day when we fall foul to temptation, pride, anger, and greed. We concentrate on fulfilling the grand dreams for our lives, yet fail to complete little acts of kindness and compassion on a daily basis.  Forgive our sins of indifference, intolerance, and ignorance. Cleanse us of our careless ways and heal us of our heedless paths. Hear us now as we personally confess our sins to You.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Loving God, we realize that without Jesus, we would have to pay the eternal consequences of all our mistakes. We thank You for sending Him into our world and we praise You for His Sacrifice which grants us forgiveness, hope, and peace forevermore. We make these prayers in Jesus’’ Name, and through His Words, we unite our hearts, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Christ came down from heaven to feed us with faith, heal us through hope, and liberate us with love. we are made precious in God’s sight through Christ’s obedience, sacrifice, and grace. So let us rejoice and be glad, for Jesus is our Savior and we are restored to God’s love, both now and forevermore. 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 Almighty, we gather in this dwelling place to experience peace and healing. We yearn for Your grace and love; we cry out and pray for Your mercy and favor.

People:                 In this holy house, we humbly ask that You bless us with strength and compassion. In Your sacred sight, renew our hearts and restore our souls to Your peace.

Pastor:                 Turn our tears into smiles; change our sorrow into gladness; replace our fears with faith and let our loved ones experience release from suffering, freedom from distress, and recovery from any illness, injury, or instability.

Hear us now as we silently bring to You our personal prayers for healing.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 The LORD God is our sun and shield. He alone honors our prayers and favors our requests. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.                 (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 84)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, encourage us to embrace Christ’s words and receive His teaching. Help us to be drawn to Him through the power of these sacred scriptures. Allow us to build our lives upon His truth, life, and way. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message and the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor):       Lord Jesus, we are the children of God’s grace and the heirs of His Kingdom. We humbly bring before You our offerings and ask that You will continue to bless them for Your work in this church and throughout this community. We pledge our hearts to You and dedicate our lives to the One, Triune, and Living God. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Hymn

Benediction (unison):    May Christ enhance our understanding of His plans for today’s world; may the Father awaken our spirits to His works of compassion and care; and may the Holy Spirit lead us each day to witness to the glories of salvation and the grace of the One, Triune, and Holy God, both now and evermore. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Advent 4 prayers - Dec 21

Approaching God

Welcome and announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Lighting of Advent candles

Herald:                 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of God’s Kingdom; faith, hope, and love dwell in the hearts of His people.

People:                 May we rejoice in the name of Christ forever; may His love continue to bless our days.

Lighting of four candles

Herald:                 Let us sing of the Lord’s great love forever and make His faithfulness known throughout this place. Amen.

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Immortal Creator of the Universe, we come before You as servants of Your Kingdom and seekers of Your Truth. You are our Rock and refuge, our shield and salvation, as well our gracious God and loving Guide.

People:                 Heavenly Father, we have frequently wandered from Your ways and ignored Your righteousness. We have chosen to cherish our pride and greed. Forgive us for being hypocritical and hypercritical, faithless and fallen, as well as unkind and unworthy. Hear us now as we personally confess our sins.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Merciful Lord, we regret our past mistakes, so we look to Jesus for salvation. We turn away from our guilty sins and seek Christ to renew our lives. 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 and restored to God’s favor and grace. Without Jesus, we have no hope of avoiding the wrath 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, from this sacred sanctuary, our souls yearn for Your Favor, and our hearts cry out for healing. Bless us for having set our faith in You and trusting You for strength.

People:                 Hear our prayers, Almighty Father, and listen to our pleas. Look upon us as Your people, gathered here in Your Name. Bless us with mercy and compassion; fill us with hope and help us through this day.

Pastor:                 Gracious God, grant us Your benign grace; heal our loved ones of their sickness and pain, anxiety and depression, as well as their illnesses and injuries. Hear us now as we inwardly pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 O Loving Lord, 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 Christ’s teaching in our hearts and minds, through the reading and hearing of these sacred scriptures. May we experience our lives being re-born, this day and forevermore. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message and the 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 tithes to You alone. Take these gifts and bless them for Your work in the world and Your ministry among us. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Hymn

Benediction (unison):    May Christ enable us to love our neighbor each day; may the Father help us to support 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, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Prayers for Advent 3 - Dec 14

Approaching God

Welcome and announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Lighting of Advent Candles

Herald:                 The Lord has done great things for us, so our hearts are filled with love.

People:                 May this sacred place be filled with gladness; may our lips sing out with joy.

Lighting of 3 candles (including Joy candle)

Herald:                 May Christ restore us to the One, Triune, and Living God. May we joyfully worship Him forever. Amen.

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Everlasting God, who upholds the universe and sets the stars on their courses, we honor and bless You with our lips; we praise and worship You from our hearts. You know and see all things, therefore we thank You for sharing Your wonders with us and we glorify You for granting us a life filled with learning and love.

People:                 Gracious Lord, we seek Your peace and yearn for the blessings of Your favor. We know that we are not worthy of Your love for we are weak and sinful creatures, subject to fear and full of sin. We acknowledge our selfish and faithless ways. We have allowed greed to corrupt our hearts and pride to diminish our compassion. We have neglected to help other people and have declined opportunities to witness to Your Word. Forgive us for being fearful and timid servants. Hear us now as we personally confess our failings.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Loving Lord, keep us steadfast in our faith and loyal to Your Holy Son Jesus. He alone has provided for our salvation. He alone has the authority to forgive our sins and restore us to Your Favor. We ask this in Jesus’ Name and through His own precious words, we unite our hearts together, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  By accepting Jesus into our lives, we are acquitted of our sins and accepted into God’s Kingdom. By being faithful to Christ alone, we are received into His Spirit and He remains within us at all times. Let us rejoice and be glad for we are a forgiven and favored people, 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 our God, do not keep Your distance or remain inactive when we pray to You for healing.

In the midst of our troubles, calm our souls and strengthen our hearts, O God. When things become chaotic and fearful in our lives, be our shield and firm foundation.

People:                 Lord, when we face disease and discomfort, pain and sickness, be our Comforter, Healer and Savior. When fears overcome our families and despair attacks our friends, bring them assurance, peace, and love. By Your Power, Lord, heal us and all our loved ones from all that harms the body, mind, heart, and spirit. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 O LORD our God, You alone are the Most High over all the Earth. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 83)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, call us to account for all that we do today. Let these sacred scriptures fill our hearts and minds, so that we can apply the challenges and lessons Christ gives to us this very day. In the Name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor):       Lord Jesus, through the giving of our tithes and offering, You enable us to fulfill the life, work, and ministry of our church. You know all that God requires us to do and You also know that we have been given all of the resources of time, talents, and money to fully support and enhance Your mission for this church. Help us to cheerfully give of ourselves and our assets to You. In Your Holy Name. Amen. 

Hymn

Benediction (unison):    May Christ help us to love one another; may the Father enable us to care for one another; and may the Holy Spirit equip us to support and bless one another; in the Name of the One, Triune, and Living God forevermore. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude