Approaching God
Announcements & A Word of Welcome
Prelude, Gathering
Acclamation (based on words from Psalm 136)
Pastor: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever.
People: We will give thanks to the God of gods and Lord of lords.
Pastor: The Lord alone does great wonders and we will praise Him forevermore. Amen.
First Hymn:
Prayers of Confession
Guide: Most Noble and Sacred Sovereign, we come before You as seekers of Your ways and servants of Your words.
People: Everlasting and Faithful Father, whose plans are always fulfilled and whose promises bless our lives, we adore and revere You; we worship and glorify Your Name.
Guide: Merciful and Loving Lord, we admit to being sinful and selfish, cynical and self-centered. We break our promises and disappoint our loved ones. We turn away from Your truth and impose our will on others.
People: Almighty and Gracious God, forgive our ill-made decisions and harsh words; pardon our moments of pride and times of deceit. Hear us now as we humbly ask for Your mercy and grace.
- Silent Confessions -
Guide: Eternal Father, by Your Son, Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven; by His wounds we are cleansed of the past. His blood restores us to Your favor. He protects us from Your wrath and reclaims us as Your own.
People: In Christ, we have everlasting hope. By His noble deeds, we are redeemed forever. In His sacred words, we continue to pray, saying, "Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD'S PRAYER” debts/debtors (Isaiah 32:8)
Promise of the Gospel:
Guide: Jesus works God’s salvation among us, each and everyday. He reaches out to the world in grace, so that people like us may be covered by His blood, and recovered to God’s Kingdom. In Christ, we will rejoice both now and always. Amen. (John 9:4)
Gloria Patri: 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: In our hearts, we know that God exists; therefore we look for His mercy and love.
People: May God look down upon us as we seek His understanding and pray for His healing power.
Pastor: Let us turn to God with our prayers and petitions, pursuing His protection and caring for His compassion.
People: We have learned from the past of God’s acts of deliverance, so we call upon His Name to heal us, and to strengthen all our loved ones in body, mind, and spirit.
Pastor: Gracious Father, in the midst of our fear and dread, grant us the peaceful and powerful presence of Your Holy Spirit.
People: Save us, O Lord, from distress and despair, anxiety and depression, suffering and pain. Hear us now as we faithfully pray.
Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit
Pastor: May God restore our health and happiness, our strength and peace of mind. May we rejoice in His love and be glad for His merciful ways. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.
(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 53)
Singing of '"Jesus Draw Me Close." (Choir leads this)
Prayer of Illumination: Reader: Holy Spirit, build our faith through Christ’s living words and enable us to rest in His sacred presence. Fill our hearts with God’s abiding love and strengthen our souls through the message of today’s scriptures. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen. (Acts 7:49)
Scripture Readings & Sermon & The Apostles' Creed
Serving God
Offering & Offertory
Dedication:
Lord Jesus, we bring our tithes and gifts before You, humbly asking that You will bless them for ministries and missions in our congregation, across our country, and around the world. We also pray that You will take our lives and reshape them, so that we may serve You in this community and throughout God’s Kingdom. In Your Sacred Name, we give and pray. Amen. (1 Corinthians 15:43)
Closing Hymn:
Benediction: May Christ continue to call us to His ministry; may the Father strengthen our faith each day; and may the Holy Spirit guide and counsel us, so that we may praise and glorify the One Triune and Living God, both now and forever. Amen. (2 Corinthians 3:3)
Doxology May God's Blessing & Postlude
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